Sandstone Falls Boardwalk and Island Loop Hiking Guide

Sandstone Falls is the largest waterfall on the New River, a 1,500-foot-wide ledge split by islands into drops of 10 to 25 feet. An accessible boardwalk with two bridges crosses onto the islands below it, and a half-mile dirt loop circles the biggest island. It is the easiest walk in this guide and the one most worth the drive.

no permit neededdog-friendly
Difficulty
easy
Distance
1.1 mi
Elevation gain
31 ft
Trailhead
Hinton
largest waterfall on the New River, 1,500 feet wideaccessible boardwalk and bridges onto two islandsrare Appalachian riverside flatrock plant communityhalf-mile island loop through old fields returning to forest
springsummerfall

Distance and Route

The park describes the boardwalk as about a quarter mile one way, crossing a short bridge over an old mill channel and then a steel arch bridge onto a second island with views of the main falls. The Island Loop leaves the boardwalk on the first island and adds an easy half mile around it. Hiking Project maps the combined walk at 1.1 miles with about 31 feet of gain. The boardwalk is wheelchair accessible; the island loop is a natural-surface path.

Getting There

Sandstone Falls is not at the Sandstone Visitor Center; the park says it is about 45 minutes away. From Hinton, cross the WV 20 bridge and turn right on River Road (WV 26). The unpaved lot is on the right after about eight miles. The last part of River Road is narrow with no center line, and the park does not recommend RVs or other vehicles over 25 feet. On the way to Hinton, the Sandstone Falls Overlook on WV 20 looks down on the falls from 600 feet up.

The Islands and the Flatrock Plants

The first island holds an Appalachian riverside flatrock community, a set of plants the park says grows nowhere else in the gorge and in only a few places in the state. They live on thin, rocky soil that floods scour now and then. The largest island was farmed, grazed and logged, and a grist mill once ran here; the loop trail shows old fields turning back into forest. Stay on the boardwalk and path to protect the plants.

Water Safety

The park is blunt that the water around the falls is very swift and dangerous. Stay on the boardwalk and trails, and anyone on or near the water should wear a life jacket. People fish from the observation areas; give them room.

Dogs, Facilities and Timing

There is a vault toilet and trash cans at the parking area, and benches and exhibits along the way. Dogs can walk the boardwalk and the island loop with you on a short leash, six feet at most under park rules. The gravel lot is not large, so on warm weekends a weekday visit or an early start helps.

Hiking tips for Sandstone Falls Boardwalk and Island Loop

  • Set your map to Sandstone Falls, not the Sandstone Visitor Center.
  • Leave the RV in Hinton; River Road is narrow at the end.
  • Stop at the Sandstone Falls Overlook on WV 20 for the view from above.
  • Stay on the boardwalk; the current near the falls is deadly.
  • Add Big Branch, four miles back toward Hinton, for a harder hike.

Nearby trails to explore

  • Big Branch Trail (New River Gorge)
  • Glade Creek Trail (New River Gorge)
  • Grandview Rim Trail (New River Gorge)

Hike this trail with TrailMates

Sandstone Falls is an easy, accessible walk, so it works for groups with kids, grandparents or wheelchair users. Use TrailMates to find people hiking the New River Gorge, plan the River Road drive in the event's group chat, and meet at the falls parking area. TrailMates is available on the App Store or Google Play.