Sandstone Falls shows a completely different side of New River Gorge from the famous bridge. Here the New River spreads wide across a series of ledges, creating a broad waterfall landscape rather than one dramatic vertical drop.
Why make the detour?
The falls are in the southern part of the national park, so they are not something I would casually squeeze into a bridge visit. The drive takes time, but that also means the area can feel like a destination of its own.
A boardwalk provides an accessible way to get close to the river and see different sections of the falls. Water levels change the appearance considerably, so no two visits are exactly alike.
Slow down here
This is a place for listening to water, taking photographs and letting the landscape occupy the schedule for a while. Do not judge the stop only by how many miles of trail you can record.
Plan geographically
I would combine Sandstone Falls with the southern end of New River Gorge rather than constantly driving back toward Fayetteville. Check park conditions before traveling, especially after severe weather.
If the bridge is the national park’s icon, Sandstone Falls is one of the places that helps you understand the river itself.