Parking lot
Parking lot
0.2 mi
4.5 (4)
New River Rd, Shady Spring, WV 25918
RiverWV
Sandstone Falls
By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated
Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.
Plan Sandstone Falls with boardwalk access, visitor-center and RV route distinctions, five practical FAQs, river warnings and four reviewed photos.
Swimming permission unconfirmed
July 1, 2026 compendium swimming sections report no superintendent-imposed swimming closure and no designated swim areas. This does not override other applicable rules or current closures or certify safety. NPS warns of swift dangerous water and advises staying on the boardwalk or trails.
Official sources checked:
Water type
River
Access
Swimming unconfirmed
Fee
Confirm current NPS information; no listing-specific charge verified.
Best season
Check NPS notices, weather and conditions before a sightseeing trip
Nearby towns
Hinton
Water body
New River
Location
Map & Directions
Nearby towns
Hinton
Access location not verified
37.7583, -80.9020
Recorded coordinates have not been source-checked. Confirm the entrance and legal access before using directions.
A closer look
Photos of Sandstone Falls
Photos show past visits, not current water levels or swimming conditions. Select a photo to view it larger.
Sources & checks
This is a desk-researched listing. A record update or map check does not confirm current swimming permission or water conditions.
- Swimming rules
- Official sources checked . Swimming permission remains unconfirmed.
- Access location not verified
- The recorded location has no completed source check. Confirm the entrance, legal access, and parking before travelling.
- Record updated
- · This is a data update, not a field visit.
Found an error? Send a correction with the location and a source. How we research listings.
Sandstone Falls: plan for waterfall viewing
This guide recommends the established boardwalk and trails, not swimming into the cascades. The NPS falls guide warns of swift dangerous water and advises staying on the boardwalk or trails. It recommends a life jacket near or on water; that precaution does not make the falls a safe swimming destination.
The visitor center is not the waterfall
NPS estimates a separate drive of about 45 minutes from Sandstone Visitor Center to the falls. Reach the day-use area via Hinton and WV-26/New River Road. The final road has limited passing space, and NPS does not recommend vehicles longer than 25 feet, including large RVs. Check its directions and present conditions instead of relying on a generic place-name map result.
Boardwalk distance and facilities
The NPS boardwalk page describes an easy accessible walk of about a quarter-mile, with bridges and viewing decks. Its distance figures differ slightly, so an exact round trip is not promised here. Parking and a vault toilet are listed at the trailhead. Confirm availability and your mobility needs with NPS; sightseeing access is not accessible water entry.
Rules and conditions are different questions
The swimming sections of the July 1, 2026 compendium report no superintendent-imposed swimming closure and no designated swim areas. That does not certify safety, override other applicable rules or establish a recommended entry. Our recommendation remains sightseeing. Check NPS road and trail notices and onsite signs. The maintenance photo at the top of that page is not itself a current Sandstone Falls closure notice.
Four-photo gallery context
Two waterfall views are joined by an autumn boardwalk and named NPS entrance sign. The sign's former National River wording is historical context. These images do not certify present boardwalk condition or opening, or safe water levels. No verified swimming-entry coordinates are published.
Getting There
Use NPS directions to the falls day-use area, not Sandstone Visitor Center. From Hinton's WV-20 bridge take WV-26/New River Road to the signed falls parking area. The final road is narrow; NPS does not recommend vehicles longer than 25 feet. Use the boardwalk for viewing, not entry into the cascades.
Quick Navigation
Access Notes
Accessible sightseeing is not accessible water entry. Check NPS notices and onsite signs; historical photos are not current opening notices.
Plan Your Visit
Parking & Access
Confirm the entrance, parking arrangements, and legal access with the land manager. A map pin does not establish a public right of access. Follow posted routes and never block gates or driveways.
Regulations & Fees
July 1, 2026 compendium swimming sections report no superintendent-imposed swimming closure and no designated swim areas. This does not override other applicable rules or current closures or certify safety. NPS warns of swift dangerous water and advises staying on the boardwalk or trails. Public park access does not necessarily include permission to swim. Respect private property and posted restrictions.
Seasonality & Flow
Water conditions can change quickly. This listing does not provide a current safety or water-quality assessment. Check official alerts and avoid entering water when conditions or permission are uncertain.
Nearby Facilities
Nearby places from saved public map data, not necessarily facilities at the swimming spot. Confirm access, hours, fees, and amenities with the operator before you drive.
Map data retrieved 2026-06-15
Sandstone Falls Trailhead
Tourist attraction
0.2 mi
4.7 (13)
4000 New River Rd, Hinton, WV 25951
Big Branch Trailhead
Hiking area
1.5 mi
4.5 (6)
3328 New River Rd, Hinton, WV 25951
New River Gorge Sandstone Visitor Center
Visitor center
1.7 mi
4.8 (956)
330 Meadow Creek Rd, Meadow Bridge, WV 25976
Restroom
Camp Brookside
Campground
2.6 mi
4.6 (13)
309 N Mullens Rd, Hinton, WV 25951
Public restroomRestroomRunning waterTent sites
Brooks Falls Roadside Park
Park
2.8 mi
4.7 (92)
New River Rd, Hinton, WV 25951
Barbecue grillPicnic tablesPublic restroom
Berry's Campground
Campground
4.3 mi
4.2 (129)
1211 New River Rd, Hinton, WV 25951
Public restroomPublic showerRestroomRunning water
Explore Summers County CVB
Visitor center
5.9 mi
4.6 (9)
300 2nd Ave, Hinton, WV 25951
Gender-neutral restroomRestroom
Frequently Asked Questions About Sandstone Falls
Is Sandstone Falls at Sandstone Visitor Center?
No. NPS estimates a separate drive of about 45 minutes from the visitor center to the waterfall day-use area.
Can I drive a large RV to the falls?
NPS does not recommend vehicles longer than 25 feet on the final narrow road, which has limited passing space. Check a suitable route and current conditions.
How long is the accessible boardwalk?
NPS describes about a quarter-mile of easy accessible boardwalk. Its published figures vary slightly; this guide does not promise an exact round trip or accessible water entry.
Does this directory recommend swimming at the falls?
No. NPS warns of swift dangerous water. The 2026 compendium's lack of a superintendent-imposed swimming closure is not a safety clearance or a designated swim area.
Do the photos prove the boardwalk is open now?
No. They are historical context. Check current NPS notices and onsite signs; a maintenance photograph alone is not a closure notice.
Highlights
New River waterfall views
Accessible sightseeing boardwalk
Four reviewed scenery and access-context photos
Location & Area Map
Safety Information
Important Safety Tips
- NPS advises staying on boardwalk or trails and wearing a life jacket near or on water
- A life jacket does not make the cascades a recommended swimming location
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background
The photographed entrance sign uses the former National River name, not today's designation.
Photography Guide
Photo Opportunities
Two waterfall views, an autumn boardwalk and a named NPS sign. Photos do not prove current conditions or safe water entry.
Conservation & Ethics
Protect This Place
Part of the New River Gorge National Park, visitors should follow Leave No Trace principles to protect local wildlife and maintain the area’s natural beauty.
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At a Glance
Best Time to Visit
Check NPS notices, weather and conditions before a sightseeing trip.
Difficulty Level
Easy accessible boardwalk about a quarter-mile long; exact round-trip distance not established. No accessible swimming entrance confirmed.
Fee
Confirm current NPS information; no listing-specific charge verified.
Facilities
Trailhead amenities are not changing rooms. Confirm current availability and mobility needs with NPS.
Activities
Waterfall viewing, walking, photography
Phone
304-465-0508 (NPS park contact)
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
Camping Information
Do not treat day-use parking as overnight permission; consult NPS for permitted camping locations.
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Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
- Do not swim where swimming is prohibited, unsafe, or not clearly allowed.
- Follow posted signs, local regulations, closures, and private-property boundaries.
- Assess conditions on site. Water flow, depth, temperature, and underwater hazards change quickly.
- Never jump or dive without personally confirming depth and underwater obstacles.
- Swim with a buddy and consider flotation for weak or non-swimmers.
- Pack out all trash; respect wildlife and fragile environments.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
J
Joshua Havens
Founder & Editor, Hidden Swimming Holes
Joshua Havens created Hidden Swimming Holes to make it easier for people to find — and safely visit — natural freshwater swimming destinations across the United States. He researches access conditions, water quality resources, and land management rules so you don't have to start from scratch. He holds a strong belief that good outdoor recreation information should be accurate, honest about its limitations, and freely available.
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