Wonder Falls


May 9, 2013

State: West Virginia

Location: Preston County

Height: 15

Crest: 50

Water Source: Big Sandy Creek

Waypoint: 39.626548N 79.722478W

Summary: This scenic, wild and wide waterfall is one of the more impressive waterfalls in West Virginia. It is relatively easy to reach despite its remoteness, and is well worth the effort.

Wonder Falls is a wide 15+ foot drop on Big Sandy Creek. This is a high volume falls, as the "creek" could easily have been categorized as a river. The falls is run by rafts and kayakers and is a popular swimming hole.

Reaching the falls is relatively straightforward. Depending on the type of vehicle you have, you may only need walk a half mile to the falls. From Interstate 68, take either exit 15 or 23, depending on which direction you are coming from. Continue on County Route 73 until you reach Laurel Run Road. This is a paved road, but it is a bit rough. After a half mile, take the first left on to George Walls Road. This is a narrow unpaved, road, and has several rough spots. The road wends its way through farm lands. After a mile, the road becomes very rough and starts to descend. This is as far as I felt comfortable driving, but a four wheel drive vehicle could keep going. The main thing you would to worry about is oncoming traffic, as the road is only one lane wide.

Continue down the road for about 1.5 miles until you reach a fork on the right. This "road" is hardly any rougher than the main road, but it does not show up on Google maps. Follow this for about a mile, and you will reach the falls. At some point this trail probably gets too rough and narrow for most vehicles other than ATVs.

A short distance beyond the fork you will reach the bridge over Big Sandy Creek. The bridge is interesting, and the river is pretty, but you will have to back track to find the road to the falls.

There is a clearing above the falls that is obviously used a party spot. Some of the trees and shrubs have been cut down to provide a clear view of the falls. You can easily reach the edge of the falls, but there did not seem to be any easy way down into the gorge below the falls.

Nearby Falls

There are more falls downstream, but I do not know if they can be accessed from land. The largest of these is called Big Splat falls. Muddy Creek Falls in Swallow Falls State Park is a 25 mile drive to the south east. Ohiopyle Falls is 30 miles to the north east. Valley Falls is a 50 mile drive to the west and south. Blackwater Falls is a 60 mile drive to the south east.

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