Information
Landmark: Sandstone FallsCity: Hinton
Country: USA West Virginia
Continent: North America
Sandstone Falls, Hinton, USA West Virginia, North America
Overview
Sandstone Falls rises in a broad, foaming stretch of the New River, tucked inside the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in southern West Virginia.With thundering cascades and jagged cliffs, it’s one of the river’s largest waterfall systems and a top spot for nature lovers, photographers, and thrill‑seekers chasing the full Appalachian experience.Sandstone Falls sits just outside Hinton in Summers County, where the New River slices through the rugged Appalachian Plateau, churning white water against the rocks.The falls take shape where the river cuts across tough sandstone, breaking into foaming channels, quick rapids, and sudden drop-offs that stretch nearly 1,000 feet wide.Steep hills rise around you, with dense forests pressing close and jagged riverbanks glinting in the sun, creating a secluded, dramatic backdrop.You can reach the falls by hiking the trails or parking nearby, then walk to lookout spots where the water tumbles into the rugged gorge, mist curling in the air.Sandstone Falls takes its name from the broad, pale ledges of sandstone where the New River crashes and foams.As it drops downhill, the river breaks into a tangle of channels, spilling into frothy rapids, quick little plunges, and calm, glassy pools.The rock formations show sharp striations, deep crevices, and scattered boulders, inviting you to wander among them and snap a few shots in the crisp morning light.The land around you echoes the old Appalachian hills, carved over millions of years by winding rivers and the slow, relentless shift of the earth.Seasonal shifts in water flow can transform the falls-spring and early summer runoff sends torrents crashing in white spray, while by late summer and fall, the water threads through narrow channels, exposing smooth, sun-warmed rock.At Sandstone Falls, you’ll find plenty to do, from hiking winding trails to stopping at lookout points with sturdy railings or wooden platforms where you can take in the rush of the water below.Hikers can follow trails that twist beside the river, climb through shadowed pine slopes, and cross sun‑warmed slabs of rock.Photographers and nature lovers flock to the falls, drawn by their unusual rock formation and the ring of tall hardwoods that rustle in the breeze.Shifting seasons, darting wildlife, and the cool mist drifting off the falls create scenes that feel alive.Below the falls, the New River teems with smallmouth bass and catfish, drawing anglers who cast lines into its cool, rippling water.Anglers should watch their step-the current runs fast, and slick rocks line the banks.Around Sandstone Falls, narrow channels twist into frothy rapids that only seasoned kayakers or canoeists dare to run, and even they rely on sharp skill and a local’s sense for the water.Around Sandstone Falls, you’ll find Appalachian hills alive with wild rhododendrons and the rustle of deer moving through the trees.Maples, oaks, hickories, and tall sycamores crowd the slopes, their leaves spilling shade and splashes of color across the forested hills.You might spot white-tailed deer grazing at dusk, river otters slipping through the water, beavers working along the banks, and an array of songbirds and raptors overhead.Mossy rocks, bright wildflowers, and feathery ferns bring the landscape to life with texture and bursts of color.Roaring waterfalls blend with the soft rustle of leaves and the quick trill of birds, wrapping you in a vivid natural scene that feels worlds apart from the city’s noise.Standing at Sandstone Falls, you feel its sheer scale in the roar of water, its power in the trembling ground, and a calm that settles like cool mist on your skin.From the overlooks, visitors watch the river spill over sandstone shelves, its channels weaving together then drifting apart, while cool mist curls up from the churning pools below.The rugged terrain calls you to explore, yet near slick rocks and rushing water, it pays to tread carefully.Easy-to-reach lookouts blend with wild, untouched stretches of land, giving visitors sweeping views one moment and, the next, the quiet of standing beside the river as wind stirs the trees.Shifting light, mirrored surfaces, and changing water levels give every visit its own look, from the deep greens of summer leaves to autumn’s blaze of red and gold.Sandstone Falls captures the geological beauty and wild ecology of the New River Gorge, with West Virginia’s roaring rapids and weathered cliffs telling stories millions of years old.Because it’s safeguarded inside the national park, the falls stay a protected natural treasure-where visitors can hike to its misty edge, learn about its history, and find inspiration in its roar.For visitors, Sandstone Falls is far more than just water tumbling over rock-it’s a glimpse into the Appalachians’ deep past, where the river roars in your ears, herons lift off from the banks, and West Virginia’s rugged highlands stretch out in quiet, timeless beauty.
