Are there fees or permits required for Sandstone Falls?

No, there are no fees required to visit Sandstone Falls.

Is swimming allowed at Sandstone Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Sandstone Falls.

Nearby gauge (New River) · 1,880 ft³/s · Lower than usual

Sandstone Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Sandstone Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Sandstone Falls. Leashed pets (6-foot leash or shorter) are allowed on all trails in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.

West Virginia

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Also For 2 other waterfalls also named Sandstone Falls, see below

Private Land Owner 1 PCON · PVT

Photo Credits (5)

DFChurch CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Easy

Trail Length

0.4 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

About Sandstone Falls

Sandstone Falls is the largest waterfall on the New River, spanning about 1,500 feet across the river and dropping 10 to 25 feet over ledges divided by islands. It is in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, 8.3 miles from Hinton on WV-26 (River Road). A quarter-mile accessible boardwalk crosses two bridges onto islands with observation decks facing the falls.

The Setting

Sandstone Falls sits at 1,289 feet within Private Land Owner 1, in the foothills of West Virginia.

Trail & Hike Details

Trail Description

The Sandstone Falls Boardwalk is 0.2 mile one way and rated easy and accessible. It crosses a short bridge over a man-made channel, then a second bridge onto a low island with decks overlooking the main falls. The 0.5-mile Island Loop Trail continues around the largest island below the falls.

What to Expect

Dogs are welcome.

Accessibility

The trail is short and relatively flat, but the surface may be uneven. Contact the managing agency for accessibility details.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Sandstone Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed
Leashed pets (6-foot leash or shorter) are allowed on all trails in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Sandstone Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall winter

The falls are beautiful year-round, but spring and early summer are particularly popular due to higher water flow. Fall offers vibrant foliage, while winter provides a serene, less crowded experience.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.

Safety Information

Stay on designated paths and viewing platforms to avoid slippery rocks and strong currents. Exercise caution near the water, especially with children.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 3 hours ago Low

These readings come from the USGS gauge on New River, 6.1 miles away, not on Sandstone Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

1,880 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Lower than usual for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

1.7k 2.3k 5.3k 8.8k

Based on 67 years of record

1.80 ft

Water depth at gauge

53°F

Cold

Bracing — limit time in water

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is lower than usual for this time of year. Water temperature is a bracing 53 degrees F, limit your time in the water.

About This Gauge

This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.

NEW RIVER AT HINTON, WV

USGS 03184500

6.1 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 6,273 sq mi

Altitude: 1,355 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge NEW RIVER AT HINTON, WV (10 km away).

High confidence

Low right now

1880 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Low

2030 cfs

4/10

Tomorrow

Low

1884 cfs

6/10

Tue

Low

1998 cfs

6/10

Wed

Low

1830 cfs

6/10

Thu

Low

1911 cfs

6/10

Fri

Low

2116 cfs

6/10

Sat

Low

2420 cfs

6/10

Best window: Tomorrow — low flow, mostly sunny (trip score 6/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid February to late April, peaking in March.

How we calculate this

This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.

Know when to go.

Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Hinton hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Is Sandstone Falls Frozen?

Updated about 17 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately big river, rarely freezes solid

Sandstone Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 44°F to 37°F.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: 1920 ft³/s

Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.

Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail. See every frozen waterfall in West Virginia.

Weather Forecast

The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR

Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.

1-meter lidar shows the creek losing roughly 18 feet through Sandstone Falls over a long run of ledges. Elevation at the pin is about 1,290 feet.

Most of the action is upstream: the ground drops about 72 feet in the 500 feet above the pin and flattens beneath the falls. Facing southeast, the falls catch soft morning light.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Sandstone Falls near Hinton, West Virginia, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Sandstone Falls near Hinton, West Virginia, showing about 18 feet of drop, a long cascade, facing southeast

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.

Ground elevation: 1,290 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 18 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: Southeast; Catches soft morning light.

Ground profile through the falls

A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading southeast).

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Location & Access

Getting There

From Hinton, continue through town to the traffic signal, turn right onto WV-20 South (Temple Street) and cross the bridge, then turn right onto WV-26 (New River Road). The parking lot is on the right after 8.3 miles. The last stretch of road is narrow with no center line; vehicles over 25 feet are not advised.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

The NPS parking lot on WV-26 sits at the start of the boardwalk.

Elevation

1,289 feet above sea level

Coordinates

37.758452° N, -80.905368° W

Land Management

Private Land Owner 1 PCON

Managed by PVT

Visitor Tips & Gear

Combine the boardwalk with the Island Loop Trail, and see the whole falls from above at the Sandstone Falls Overlook on the east rim, a 0.1-mile walk from its parking lot. Large RVs should avoid the final stretch of WV-26.

Where to Stay

3 Mi to New River Gorge NP! Rafting and Hiking Hub

Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby

Glamping Hipcamp

Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses

RV Rentals Outdoorsy

Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip

Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Nearby Campground

BLUESTONE LAKE PICNIC SHELTER

8.7 miles away · 1 sites

Reservable

Overview Bluestone Lake Picnic Shelter is a day-use area near the shores of Bluestone Lake in southern West Virginia. The 2,040 acres of water provide boaters, water skiers and fishermen with plenty of recreational opportunities. With a capacity of up to 100 guests and dozens of activities and amenities, the day use area is a hot spot for large gatherings and outdoor fun. It is very popular among Little League Baseball groups and fishermen.Recreation The New River is the best warm water fishery i

Book on Recreation.gov