Sandstone Falls marks the transition zone of the New River from a wide river to a narrow, rugged river raging through a deep boulder-strewn gorge. Divided by a series of islands on the New River, Sandstone Falls measures in at 15-25 feet high with a 1,500-foot width.
The 6 mile drive to the parking area is along a narrow road that is paved in the beginning but then turns into a narrow gravel road. Larger or lower vehicles may have difficulty navigating this road. I made the trip is an smaller 4-wheel drive vehicle without any problems.
Sandstone Falls is easy to access from the fall's parking lot thanks to an elaborate quarter-mile-long boardwalk and bridge system. The first overlook on the boardwalk offers nice vantage points of the lower section of falls and is a popular spot for fishing. To the left of the overlook the Island Loop Trail leads you through the Appalachian Riverside Flatrock Community, a unique botanical ecosystem in West Virginia.
The second bridge crosses a wide natural channel with a beautiful view of the lower falls in the distance. The boardwalk ends at an overlook with a 20-foot-high section of falls in the distance. All along the boardwalk, you will notice several user-created paths leading to various vantage points along the channels and river.
The path near the end of the boardwalk is where you can leave the boardwalk and explore. The trail leads to an island with magnificent vistas of the river and the main section of falls. Three stream crossings are required to...
Read moreSandstone Falls is a stunning natural landmark that offers a captivating experience for nature lovers. Located on the New River in West Virginia, these broad and beautiful falls create a picturesque scene that is both serene and powerful. The falls stretch across the river, segmented by islands of rock and lush vegetation, which adds to the unique beauty of the area.
The surrounding park provides well-maintained boardwalks and viewing platforms that allow visitors to get close to the falls safely and enjoy different perspectives of the rushing water. The sound of the falls is soothing, and the mist that rises from the cascading water is refreshing on a warm day.
Sandstone Falls is not only a feast for the eyes but also a great spot for photography, picnicking, and bird watching. The area is also rich in history and natural diversity, which can be explored further on the various trails leading from the main viewing areas.
Overall, Sandstone Falls is a must-visit for anyone in the region. It's a peaceful retreat where you can immerse yourself in the beauty of nature and the grandeur of one of West Virginia's most...
Read moreDuring our visit to New River Gorge National Park, we decided to find Sandstone falls. It was a gorgeous fall day and our trip to the the falls was quite beautiful the color were just starting to turn so it made out excursion so much nicer. We arrived at the Visitor Center for the Falls and found it to be squeaky clean and quite nice, but on the smaller side. The staff was super informative and patient with our questions. The New River basin was inlaid in the Center's floor and was an education in itself. We were told the ride to the falls themselves was quite long but there were several overlooks from this side of the river and falls. At the Overlook we found, the water was somewhat low and the falls were smaller than expected, but the views were quite nice and worthwhile of our trip. We were told the overlook offered a better view of the falls as we could see the river, falls and other features of the valley all at the same time. It was an enjoyable side trip and worth our time. ...
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