Kanawha Falls Guide Before Visiting 2026 Updated

Kanawha Falls is a waterfall in Fayette County, West Virginia, about 6.2 miles west of Ansted. This guide covers what to check, bring and expect before you go, using visitor ratings, official USGS records and live conditions for this exact location.

At a glance

Location

Fayette County, WV

Nearest town

Ansted (6.2 mi)

Visitor rating

★★★★☆ 4.4 from 29 reviews

Crowds

Quieter

Coordinates

38.15122, -81.21233

USGS topo

Gauley Bridge quad

Getting there

Kanawha Falls sits about 6.2 miles west of Ansted in Fayette County. Google lists the address as Glen Ferris, WV 25115.

Open directions in Google Maps or Apple Maps, or view the map on the Kanawha Falls listing. Navigation apps sometimes route onto seasonal forest roads, so check road status if you are heading into the mountains.

Public land holds most of the state's well-known falls. New River Gorge National Park and Preserve manages Sandstone Falls and other gorge sites, the Monongahela National Forest covers much of the Allegheny Highlands, including the Falls of Hills Creek and High Falls, and state parks protect Blackwater Falls and others. Many smaller falls in the southern counties are on private or industrial land. Expect winding mountain roads, limited cell service and long drives between sites. The biggest hazards are moving water and wet rock: the New and Kanawha rivers have powerful currents and hidden hazards around ledges, and sandstone near falls is slick when wet. Winter travel in the highlands can be difficult in snow. Remote trails require self-reliance and good maps.

What to bring

This checklist is tailored to Kanawha Falls based on what visitors report and the conditions typical of West Virginia. For the complete list, see our waterfall hike packing guide.

• Offline map and coordinates. Save 38.15122, -81.21233 and download offline maps; cell service is often weak near waterfalls.
• Shoes with real grip. Rock near falling water stays wet and slick even in dry weather.
• Water and a snack. More than you think you need, even for a short walk.
• A light rain layer. Spray from the falls and quick-moving showers can soak you.
• Headlamp. In case your visit runs later than planned; check sunset time in the conditions panel above.

How to prepare

Timing

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. With 29 reviews, it sees fewer visitors than the region's headline falls, so you may have it to yourself on a weekday.

Safety

Stay behind railings and off wet rock, never climb on the falls, and keep children within arm's reach near the water. Check the weather panel above for flood or storm alerts before you set out; water levels can rise fast after upstream rain. Our waterfall safety guide covers the most common hazards.

Respect the place

Pack out everything you bring, stay on established paths to limit erosion, and leave rocks and plants where they are. See Leave No Trace at waterfalls.

What visitors say

Kanawha Falls holds a 4.4-star average across 29 Google reviews, and 69% of reviewers give it five stars. That makes it the most reviewed waterfall in Fayette County. Visitors have shared 77 photos.

See the rating breakdown or read reviews on Google.

History of the area

Kanawha Falls was entered in the Geographic Names Information System on May 1, 1993, and it appears on the USGS Gauley Bridge 7.5-minute topographic map.

Its neighbors on the map tell the story of the surrounding land: Meadow Branch (stream, 0.6 mi), Falls Creek (stream, 0.7 mi), Riggs Branch (stream, 0.7 mi), and New River (stream, 1.1 mi).

New River Gorge and Southern Coalfields. The New River and its neighbors carve the deepest gorges in the state. Sandstone Falls spans the full width of the New River near Hinton, a wide, powerful series of ledges viewed from boardwalks and an island trail within New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Downstream, Kanawha Falls drops across the Kanawha River at Glen Ferris in Fayette County, and Brooks Falls adds another river-wide ledge on the New. Summers County, around Hinton, holds several more listings, including Bull Falls and Harvey Falls, and Kanawha County's Upper Falls lies on the Coal River near Tornado. Big rivers, wide ledges and strong currents define this region.

Nearby waterfalls to add to your trip

Summary

Kanawha Falls about 6.2 miles west of Ansted is rated 4.4 out of 5 by 29 visitors. Check the live forecast and stream gauge above, save the coordinates for offline use, and pack for wet, uneven ground. Ratings, hours and access can change, so confirm conditions with the land manager before you drive out.

See the full Kanawha Falls listing for the map, photos and nearby landmarks.