These are the West Virginia waterfalls that draw the biggest crowds, measured by Google review volume and led by Sandstone Falls. Popular does not have to mean packed if you time it right.
For every waterfall we track nearby, see the full list of waterfalls in West Virginia, or browse by town: Hinton, Parsons, Berkeley Springs, Elkins, Richwood. You can also compare our best waterfalls in West Virginia and most beautiful waterfalls in West Virginia.
How we picked: Ranked purely by the number of Google reviews, the best public signal of how many people visit. Together these five account for 87% of all Google reviews of West Virginia waterfalls.
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1. Sandstone Falls
Sandstone Falls near Hinton takes the top spot, rated 4.8 out of 5 from 392 reviews.
Raleigh County, WV 25918 (GPS 37.7585, -80.9054)
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392 Google reviews make it the most visited waterfall in West Virginia, about 48% of all reviews of the state's waterfalls. That is 2.3 times as many as Blackwater Falls in second place. Visitors have shared 1,544 photos of it. It averages 4.8 stars, with 87% five-star reviews. "Lush forest trails offer sweeping views of this powerful waterfall spanning the New River." The nearest town is Hinton, about 5.9 miles to the south.
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2. Blackwater Falls
Blackwater Falls, near Parsons, is next up, rated 4.8 out of 5 from 171 reviews.
Tucker County, WV 26260 (GPS 39.1138, -79.4832)
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171 Google reviews make it number 2 in West Virginia, about 21% of all reviews of the state's waterfalls. Visitors have shared 583 photos of it. It averages 4.8 stars, with 86% five-star reviews. "A long boardwalk with stairs leads to views of this 57-foot waterfall in a scenic recreation area." The nearest town is Parsons, about 11 miles to the west.
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3. Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls, near Berkeley Springs, is next up, rated 3.7 out of 5 from 70 reviews.
Hampshire County, WV 25434 (GPS 39.5156, -78.4672)
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70 Google reviews make it number 3 in West Virginia, about 9% of all reviews of the state's waterfalls. Visitors have shared 202 photos of it. It averages 3.7 stars, with 57% five-star reviews. The nearest town is Berkeley Springs, about 15 miles to the northeast.
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4. High Falls
High Falls near Elkins is worth the drive, rated 4.8 out of 5 from 46 reviews.
Randolph County, WV 26241 (GPS 38.7725, -79.7773)
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46 Google reviews make it number 4 in West Virginia, about 6% of all reviews of the state's waterfalls. Visitors have shared 107 photos of it. It averages 4.8 stars, with 91% five-star reviews. The nearest town is Elkins, about 11 miles to the north.
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5. Falls of Hills Creek
Falls of Hills Creek near Richwood is worth the drive, rated 4.9 out of 5 from 35 reviews.
Pocahontas County, WV 24946 (GPS 38.1737, -80.3351)
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35 Google reviews make it number 5 in West Virginia, about 4% of all reviews of the state's waterfalls. Visitors have shared 161 photos of it. It averages 4.9 stars, with 89% five-star reviews. The nearest town is Richwood, about 11 miles to the west.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most visited waterfall in West Virginia?
Sandstone Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.8-star rating from 392 Google reviews. It is near Hinton in Raleigh County.
How was this list made?
Ranked purely by the number of Google reviews, the best public signal of how many people visit. Together these five account for 87% of all Google reviews of West Virginia waterfalls.
How many waterfalls are in West Virginia?
Our directory lists 16 waterfalls in West Virginia. See every one, with filters and a map, on the West Virginia waterfalls page.
What is Sandstone Falls?
It is a wide series of ledges spanning the New River near Hinton, within New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. It is the largest waterfall on the New River.
Summary
Sandstone Falls near Hinton is our top pick for most visited waterfalls in West Virginia, rated 4.8 out of 5 from 392 reviews. Ratings and review counts reflect public data at the time of writing and can change, and trail access, water levels and road conditions vary through the year, so confirm current conditions before you drive out.
West Virginia's falls are fullest from late winter through spring, typically March through May, when snowmelt in the highlands and frequent rain swell streams. The Allegheny Highlands receive heavy snowfall, and winter visits to Blackwater Falls can reveal dramatic ice formations, though stairways and trails may be icy and some roads challenging. Summer brings lush green gorges, warm swimming weather and occasional heavy thunderstorms, but smaller falls can weaken by August. Fall color usually arrives in the high country in early October and moves to lower elevations later in the month, drawing crowds to the New River Gorge and Canaan Valley areas. The big river falls, like Sandstone Falls and Kanawha Falls, flow year-round, with appearance varying by river level.
For more options, see every waterfall on the West Virginia waterfalls page, read 13 Best Waterfalls in West Virginia, or check our waterfall safety tips before you go.