New River Gorge Hikes: How to Visit Sandstone Falls & More

Spend a day at New River Gorge National Park visiting the Sandstone Falls area. These New River Gorge hikes are short, but not to be missed! First, head from Fayetteville to the southern end of New River Gorge National Park. The scenic drive from Fayetteville is a little over 1 hour.

Hike and view Sandstone Falls, then check out the Big Branch Trail. Additionally, there is an option to check out Hinton, Little Beaver State Park, or Glade Creek Trail to end your day. This post is part of our 6-day New River Gorge National Park Itinerary.

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Where to Stay

🛏️ Book your stay in nearby Fayetteville, WV. This is a perfect location to use as your home base while exploring New River Gorge National Park. That being said, Sandstone Falls is pretty far from Fayetteville, so you may also want to check out Beckley!

• Cantrell Ultimate Rafting – choose from tent camping, RV hookups, cabins, and bungalows. Walking distance to the village of Fayetteville and five minutes from the New River Gorge Bridge.
• The Historic Morris Harvey House Bed and Breakfast – breakfast included! Close to downtown Fayetteville, this mansion is on the Register of Historic Places.
• Quality Inn New River – run of the mill chain hotel offering free breakfast & a best seller. Outdoor pool on site.
• Rifrafters Campground – RV sites, tent camping, cabins. Pet friendly.
• Check out the options on Vrbo as well!

Before You Venture Out

• It is FREE to visit New River Gorge National Park!
• Parking may be an issue during peak season. Get to the trailheads and points of interest as early as you can to try to guarantee parking.

Weather and General Safety in New River Gorge National Park

• We did encounter service issues in some of the more remote areas of the park. Service was okay in the more populated areas.
• Carry plenty of snacks and water. Carry at least 1 liter of water for every 5 miles you are hiking. Get yourself a water bladder here!
• Pack PB&J and other snacks to eat around lunchtime on the trails. Snack time is the best time!
• Make a plan to tell at least one person where you plan to be on each day in case something happens, and don’t forget your first aid kit in your suitcase, like us.
• Reduce your risk by preparing and having the proper gear for all hikes you plan to complete. This means good shoes and proper hiking attire. No flip-flops!
• Be aware of the weather at all times. Check the forecast before you begin your day.

Animal Safety in New River Gorge National Park

• New River Gorge National Park is home to many animals, including foxes, chipmunks, deer, black bears (rare), eagles, fish, snakes, and more. The park is home to copperhead and timber rattlesnakes. Both are venomous, however, these snakes are not usually aggressive unless you provoke them.
• Ticks are present in the park. Always complete a tick check after hiking! More information on types of ticks is located here. Tick-borne illness can be serious. Learn how to protect yourself and your family here.
• Mosquitoes will also be present in the warmer months. Invest in some good bug spray to make your time outdoors more enjoyable. If you are anything like me, this is definitely necessary. I have been chased out of the woods by swarms of mosquitoes!

Sandstone Falls Loop Trail – easy – 1.1 miles, loop

After your scenic hour drive from Fayetteville, it’s time to stretch your legs on the Sandstone Falls Loop Trail. Sandstone Falls is one of our favorite New River Gorge hikes. It’s short, flat, and offers great scenery.

Begin the hike by walking over a short bridge toward the Sandstone Falls. You’ll be “island hopping” during the first part of the trail, and feel free to take the quick spur trail for the best views of Sandstone Falls.

After you finish viewing the falls, take the rest of the loop trail along the river and back through the woods to the parking lot. This hike to Sandstone Falls is short but sweet!

Big Branch Trail – moderate – 1.9 miles, loop

Second, head back the way you came along New River Road toward Hinton, WV. Just off the road here, across from the New River, is the Big Branch Trail. This trail offers a nice walk through the woods and features another waterfall. To view the falls, hike 0.7 miles in a clockwise direction. After this, the trail becomes a bit more strenuous and loops back around to the parking lot.

Keep an eye out here for wildflowers and animals. Along this trail, we saw plenty of deer and a bobcat as well. Let’s just say the bobcat was in a hurry to get away from us!

➡️ Read next: New River Gorge Bridge Walk: The Ultimate Guide You Need – get the details on this epic tour that you can’t miss!

Visit Hinton, WV

Finally, if you are looking for a great spot for lunch or want to explore more of the small towns in West Virginia, head to Hinton, WV. Take a break from hiking and visit the Hinton Historic District.

Here you will find plenty of shopping options as well as a few restaurants for a quick bite to eat. After that, you have the option to check out the Hinton Railroad Museum. The museum contains history and artifacts from the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad.

Visit Little Beaver State Park or Glade Creek Trail

Finally, if you are looking for more hiking options, head to Little Beaver State Park. This park is located just 30 minutes from Hinton, WV, and offers a lake and more hiking opportunities.

Conversely, if you are looking for more New River Gorge hikes with waterfalls, head to the Glade Creek Trail. If you decide to check out this area, use the campground trailhead to start. The road to the Upper Glade Creek Trailhead is unpaved and very narrow, winding, and steep.

You will need high clearance for this one. This hike features multiple swimming holes and waterfalls. If starting at the campground, Glade Greek Falls is about 1 mile in, and Kate’s Falls is about 4.5 miles in. Don’t forget, you’ll need to hike back out the way you came in!

🛏️ Be sure to book your stay in an old mansion at The Historic Morris Harvey House Bed and Breakfast!

Final Thoughts

The New River Gorge hikes in the Sandstone Falls area of the park did not disappoint. The only bummer during our day was the lack of sunshine! That being said, it did not stop us from enjoying our time in the southern area of New River Gorge.

Even the drive down to this part of the park is very relaxing and scenic. We checked out Little Beaver Falls State Park as well and hiked on a nice trail around the lake before heading back to Fayetteville for the evening.