10 Most Beautiful Waterfalls in West Virginia (2026 Updated)
Ranked by what visitors photograph and rate five stars, these are the 10 most beautiful of West Virginia's 16 named waterfalls, starting with Sandstone Falls. The list spans the New River Gorge and Southern Coalfields and Allegheny Highlands.
How We Picked
Beauty is subjective, so we let visitors decide. Among 13 publicly accessible West Virginia waterfalls with Google reviews and photos, we ranked by three signals: the share of five-star reviews, how many photos visitors have posted, and how often reviews mention scenery and views. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
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1. Sandstone Falls
Hinton, WV · Raleigh County · New River Gorge and Southern Coalfields
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 1,544 photos of it on Google, about 3.9 for every review. 87% of its 392 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). Its listing describes it as: "Lush forest trails offer sweeping views of this powerful waterfall spanning the New River." The setting includes Sullivan Knob (summit, 0.9 mi) and Jerrys Hollow (valley, 1.9 mi). It is one of 8 named falls in the New River Gorge and Southern Coalfields region. The nearest town is Hinton, about 5.9 miles to the south.
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2. Blackwater Falls
Parsons, WV · Tucker County · Allegheny Highlands
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 583 photos of it on Google, about 3.4 for every review. 86% of its 171 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). Its listing describes it as: "A long boardwalk with stairs leads to views of this 57-foot waterfall in a scenic recreation area." It is one of 7 named falls in the Allegheny Highlands region. The nearest town is Parsons, about 11 miles to the west.
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3. Falls of Hills Creek
Richwood, WV · Pocahontas County · Allegheny Highlands
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 161 photos of it on Google, about 4.6 for every review. 89% of its 35 reviewers rate it five stars (4.9 average). The setting includes Point Mountain (summit, 0.7 mi) and Rocky Knob (summit, 1.5 mi). It is one of 7 named falls in the Allegheny Highlands region. The nearest town is Richwood, about 11 miles to the west.
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4. High Falls
Elkins, WV · Randolph County · Allegheny Highlands
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 107 photos of it on Google, about 2.3 for every review. 91% of its 46 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). It is one of 7 named falls in the Allegheny Highlands region. The nearest town is Elkins, about 11 miles to the north.
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5. Whitaker Falls
Webster Springs, WV · Webster County · Allegheny Highlands
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 66 photos of it on Google, about 2.5 for every review. 77% of its 26 reviewers rate it five stars (4.7 average). It is one of 7 named falls in the Allegheny Highlands region. The nearest town is Webster Springs, about 13 miles to the west.
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6. Kanawha Falls
Ansted, WV · Fayette County · New River Gorge and Southern Coalfields
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 77 photos of it on Google, about 2.7 for every review. 69% of its 29 reviewers rate it five stars (4.4 average). It is one of 8 named falls in the New River Gorge and Southern Coalfields region. The nearest town is Ansted, about 6.2 miles to the east.
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7. Niagara Falls
Berkeley Springs, WV · Hampshire County
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 202 photos of it on Google, about 2.9 for every review. 57% of its 70 reviewers rate it five stars (3.7 average). The setting includes The Nose Hollow (valley, under 0.1 mi) and Shanty Hollow (valley, under 0.1 mi). The nearest town is Berkeley Springs, about 15 miles to the northeast.
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8. Falls of Seneca
Franklin, WV · Pendleton County · Allegheny Highlands
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 18 photos of it on Google, about 3.6 for every review. 80% of its 5 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). The setting includes Little Mountain (summit, 0.7 mi). It is one of 7 named falls in the Allegheny Highlands region. The nearest town is Franklin, about 15 miles to the southeast.
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9. Brooks Falls
Hinton, WV · Raleigh County · New River Gorge and Southern Coalfields
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 15 photos of it on Google, about 3.0 for every review. 80% of its 5 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). The setting includes Collins Hollow (valley, 0.3 mi) and Bass Lake (lake, 0.5 mi). It is one of 8 named falls in the New River Gorge and Southern Coalfields region. The nearest town is Hinton, about 3.1 miles to the south.
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10. Upper Falls
Tornado, WV · Kanawha County · New River Gorge and Southern Coalfields
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 8 photos of it on Google. 71% of its 7 reviewers rate it five stars (3.9 average). It is one of 8 named falls in the New River Gorge and Southern Coalfields region. It is right in Tornado.
When to Visit West Virginia's Waterfalls
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.
Before You Go
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.
Read our waterfall safety rules and packing list before heading out. For better pictures, see our waterfall photography tips.
Explore More West Virginia Waterfalls
See all 16 waterfalls in the West Virginia waterfall guide, or browse by town: Hinton, Parsons, Richwood, Elkins, Webster Springs, Ansted, Berkeley Springs, Franklin.
More West Virginia Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most beautiful 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?
Beauty is subjective, so we let visitors decide. Among 13 publicly accessible West Virginia waterfalls with Google reviews and photos, we ranked by three signals: the share of five-star reviews, how many photos visitors have posted, and how often reviews mention scenery and views.
How many waterfalls are in West Virginia?
Our directory lists 16 named waterfalls in West Virginia. See them all, sorted by town, in the West Virginia waterfall guide.
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.