New River Gorge National Park & Preserve guide · 1 min read
Sandstone Falls and the Southern River
Sandstone Falls is the largest waterfall on the New River, where the water spreads about 1,500 feet across.
A chain of islands splits the flow, and the river drops 10 to 25 feet as it passes them. The falls also sit in a transition zone. Upstream, the river is a wide stream over large bottomlands. Below the falls, it narrows into a mountain river churning through a deep, boulder-strewn gorge.
The Sandstone Falls Boardwalk starts at the parking lot and runs to its far end, where several viewpoints face the water. Just short of that end, steps branch off to the right onto a network of trails with closer looks at the falls. From the boardwalk you can see both the upper and lower falls. The round trip is about one mile and easy going.
Reaching the falls takes some time behind the wheel. Route 20 begins at Interstate 64 in Sandstone and runs about ten miles upstream to Hinton. From Hinton, River Road heads roughly eight miles downstream along the river. River Road is the park's only scenic riverside drive, and both roads offer overlooks, historic sites, trails, and places to reach the water.
Sandstone Visitor Center sits just north of where Interstate 64 meets Route 20 at Exit 139, an easy first stop. The green design building holds interactive exhibits, and a map of the watershed is set into its floor. Inside, hands-on displays trace the river's natural and cultural past and its watershed. A 12-minute film about the river rounds out the visit. Outside, a native plant garden and picnic areas await.
Several drownings have occurred in the river near the falls, so wear a lifejacket whenever you are near the water. Fishing ranks among the most popular ways to spend time on the New River.
