Right now
Right now as of Nov 3, 2026
- Permit None needed.
Status note (Nov 3, 2026): Open, as far as we can tell: on Nov 3, 2026 the NPS closures page listed no closure for Sandstone Falls, the boardwalk or River Road. NPS updated that page on Oct 28, 2026. NPS charges no entrance fee. What the status labels mean
Sandstone Falls stretches 1,500 feet across the New River in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. NPS calls it the largest waterfall on the river, with sections that drop 10 to 25 feet. A short, accessible boardwalk leads from a day-use lot about eight miles down River Road from Hinton. NPS charges no entrance fee. The water around the falls is swift and dangerous.
About Sandstone Falls
Sandstone Falls is a wide river falls on the New River, in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. NPS says it spans 1,500 feet across, which makes it the largest waterfall on the New River.
Islands split the falls into sections that drop 10 to 25 feet, per NPS. NPS calls it "the most iconic waterfall in the park."
The falls are in Summers County, downstream from Hinton. Wikipedia lists their elevation as 1,365 feet.
Two NPS sites carry the Sandstone name, and they're not the same place. NPS says Sandstone Falls is not located at the Sandstone Visitor Center, and the drive between them takes about 45 minutes.
Sandstone Falls Overlook
For a view from above, NPS describes the Sandstone Falls Overlook on Route 20, between Sandstone and Hinton. It gives an aerial view of the falls from 600 feet above the river.
Getting there and parking
From I-64, take the exit at Sandstone and follow Route 20 about ten miles upstream to Hinton, NPS says. From Hinton, drive about eight miles downstream on River Road to the Sandstone Falls day-use area.
Another NPS page puts the lot 8.3 miles down New River Road from Hinton. Either way, watch for the day-use area signs.
Drive slowly on the last stretch. NPS says the final portion of New River Road is narrow, with no yellow line and limited passing space. It is single lane in places.
NPS discourages RVs and vehicles over 25 feet on this road.
The day-use area has parking, a vault toilet and the boardwalk trailhead, per NPS. There is no entrance fee for the park.
Don't set your GPS to the Sandstone Visitor Center. It's a separate site, about 45 minutes away by car.
The map pin uses Wikipedia's coordinates for the falls. Follow the NPS route through Hinton and down River Road to reach the parking area.
In northern West Virginia, Blackwater Falls and Elakala Falls are both in Blackwater Falls State Park. Our West Virginia waterfalls guide lists them together.
Map and nearby falls
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The boardwalk and Island Loop Trail
A boardwalk leads from the parking area toward the falls. The NPS description calls it "a 0.25 mile, handicapped accessible boardwalk." The data block on the NPS boardwalk page lists 0.2 mile one way.
NPS sums up the access simply: the boardwalk is short and accessible.
NPS also describes the Island Loop Trail, a half mile on the islands below the falls.
NPS asks visitors to remain on the boardwalk or trails. That keeps you off wet rock beside fast water.
NPS gives no elevation figures or walking times for either route.
When to visit
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is open year-round. NPS lists no separate hours for the Sandstone Falls day-use area.
The Sandstone Visitor Center keeps its own schedule. As listed on Nov 3, 2026, NPS has it open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
The visitor center lot closes at 5 p.m. when the center is open, NPS says. That rule applies to the visitor center, not the falls.
NPS names no best season for water flow.
Check the NPS road and trail closures page before you go. On Nov 3, 2026, it listed no closure for Sandstone Falls or River Road.
| Height | 25 ft (tallest section)Note: NPS says islands split the falls into sections that drop 10 to 25 ft; the falls span 1,500 ft across the New River |
|---|---|
| Trail | Boardwalk 0.25 mi, handicapped accessible (NPS description; the NPS boardwalk data block lists 0.2 mi one way). Island Loop Trail ½ mi on the islands below the falls (NPS) |
| Difficulty | A short, accessible boardwalk (NPS); the Island Loop Trail adds ½ mile |
| Entry fee | No entrance fee. NPS says: "There is NO FEE to enter New River Gorge National Park and Preserve." |
| Permit / reservation | No permit, ticket or reservation listed by NPS |
| Parking | Day-use lot at the boardwalk |
| Hours / season | NPS lists no separate hours for the falls day-use area. The Sandstone Visitor Center, a separate site, opens 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day, as listed on Nov 3, 2026 (NPS) |
| Dogs | Pets must always be on a physical leash no longer than 6 feet, and are not allowed in visitor centers (NPS) |
| Swimming | No ban listed, but NPS calls the waters around the falls very swift and dangerous and notes several drownings. It says anyone near or in the water should always wear a life jacket |
| Wheelchair / stroller | Yes: NPS describes a 0.25-mile handicapped accessible boardwalk from the day-use parking area |
| Walk behind the falls | No |
| Restrooms | Vault toilet at the boardwalk parking area (NPS) |
| Best time to visit | No official best month; the park is open year-round |
| Managed by | National Park Service (New River Gorge National Park and Preserve) |
Safety and swimming
NPS is direct about the river here: "The waters around Sandstone Falls are very swift and dangerous." NPS says the river at the falls has seen several drownings.
NPS does not list a swimming ban, but it asks visitors to remain on the boardwalk or trails. It says anyone near or in the water should always wear a life jacket.
Keep children close on the boardwalk and the islands. Wet rock beside fast water is slippery.
Keep dogs on a physical leash no longer than 6 feet, as NPS requires.
Drive River Road slowly. NPS says it is narrow and single lane in places.
Our waterfall safety guide has more on river currents and slick rock.
Conditions change: confirm with the National Park Service before you go.
Where to stay near Sandstone Falls
Compare hotels, cabins and rentals close to the falls around Hinton.
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Photos
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Sandstone Falls FAQ
Is Sandstone Falls worth visiting?
If you want a big river falls with an easy walk, it fits. NPS says Sandstone Falls spans 1,500 feet across and is the largest waterfall on the New River. A short, accessible boardwalk leads from the parking area, and NPS charges no entrance fee.
Can you drive to Sandstone Falls?
Yes. NPS says to drive about eight miles downstream on River Road from Hinton to the day-use area. The last part of the road is narrow and single lane in places, and NPS discourages RVs and vehicles over 25 feet.
How long is the walk at Sandstone Falls?
Short. The NPS description calls the boardwalk 0.25 mile and handicapped accessible, and the boardwalk data block lists 0.2 mile one way. The Island Loop Trail adds a half mile on the islands below the falls.
Where is Sandstone Falls located?
On the New River in Summers County, West Virginia, downstream from Hinton. From I-64, take the exit at Sandstone, follow Route 20 to Hinton, then drive about eight miles down River Road.
Can you swim at Sandstone Falls?
NPS lists no swimming ban, but it calls the waters around the falls very swift and dangerous and notes several drownings. It asks visitors to stay on the boardwalk or trails, and says anyone near or in the water should always wear a life jacket.
Is the Sandstone Falls boardwalk wheelchair accessible?
Yes. NPS describes it as a 0.25-mile, handicapped accessible boardwalk. The Island Loop Trail beyond it has no accessibility description from NPS.
Is Sandstone Falls at the Sandstone Visitor Center?
No. NPS says the falls are not at the Sandstone Visitor Center, and the drive between them takes about 45 minutes. The visitor center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
Does it cost anything to visit Sandstone Falls?
No entrance fee. NPS says there is no fee to enter New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.
Nearby waterfalls
No other waterfalls within 75 miles are on the site yet.
More waterfalls to explore
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Blackwater FallsWest Virginia · 120 mi straight-lineOpen57FT
Crabtree FallsVirginia · 99 mi straight-lineOpen1,200FT
All waterfalls in West Virginia
On these lists: Dog-friendly waterfalls · Easy waterfall hikes · Free waterfalls · Roadside waterfalls
Sources
- NPS New River Gorge: Sandstone Falls (read Nov 3, 2026)
- NPS: Sandstone Falls place page (read Nov 3, 2026)
- NPS: Sandstone Falls Boardwalk (read Nov 3, 2026)
- NPS New River Gorge: Road and trail closures, updated Oct 28, 2026 (read Nov 3, 2026)
- NPS New River Gorge: Fees and passes (read Nov 3, 2026)
- NPS New River Gorge: Waterfalls (read Nov 3, 2026)
- NPS New River Gorge: Pets (read Nov 3, 2026)
- NPS New River Gorge: Operating hours and seasons (read Nov 3, 2026)
- Wikipedia: Sandstone Falls
Last verified Nov 3, 2026 by The Waterfall Guide editorial team. Conditions change: confirm with National Park Service (New River Gorge National Park and Preserve) before you go. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.