More Adventure from my book “Exploring the Wilds of West Virginia”: Wolf Creek Falls

Wolf Creek is well named. It’s wild, intimidating, and untamed. It charges down the slopes of the New River Gorge like a wild animal. Not surprisingly, Wolf Creek Falls are rough and rugged, too. Fortunately, you don’t have to hike far to find them because they’re just off a paved road. But as if lying in wait, they are quite hidden from the road, and undoubtedly thousands of visitors to the gorge drive right by them unaware of the awesome waterfall just a few feet from them.

Wolf Creek Falls

Hidden Treasure

To find this hidden treasure of the gorge, you’ll need to drive into the New River Gorge and back out again. Starting from the Canyon Rim Visitor Center at the north end of the New River Gorge Bridge turn right out of the parking lot and drive two-tenths of a mile. Make a very sharp right hand turn, and proceed downhill a tenth of a mile to a junction with the Fayette Station Road. 

View from Fayette Station Bridge

Fayette Station Road

Fayette Station Road is a one-way, paved road that switchbacks its way down the north side of the New River Gorge and up the south side. The road goes under the New River Gorge Bridge twice, crosses the New River on Fayette Station Bridge, and has numerous views of the gorge and the river. Four-wheel drive isn’t needed for this road, and it’s the best route by car to get a feel for the beauty and majesty of the New River Gorge. Stop before you cross Fayette Station Bridge and walk out on the bridge for great views of the New River Bridge and Gorge. As you ascend the south side of the gorge look for a trailhead in the middle of a very wide switchback. This is the trailhead parking for NPS Fayetteville Trail (#5) and Kaymoor Trail (#8) (GPS: Lat. 38.05950, Long. -81.08051).

Wolf Creek Falls

Wolf Creek Falls

Wolf Creek Falls is below the road and a little downstream from the trailhead parking. Walking downhill on the outside edge of the switchback, you’ll notice a few indistinct paths dropping down to the creek. These will lead to Wolf Creek Falls. Be forewarned, the descent is steep, rocky, and choked with rhododendron. Wolf Creek Falls has a picturesque drop, massive boulders at the bottom, and a lovely, emerald-green plunge pool. Wolf Creek Falls is truly a hidden treasure of the New River Gorge. But then, there are many other such jewels in the gorge. So if you have a taste for adventure and discovery, head for the New River Gorge.

Wolf Creek Falls

This and other waterfalls of the New River Gorge are highlighted in my new book, “Exploring the Wilds of West Virginia: A Hiker’s Guide to Beauty off the Beaten Path.” See a prior post about my book at NEW BOOK

New Book