Every organization we link to: local tourism offices, the state and federal agencies that manage the land, the nonprofits and clubs that keep access open, and the universities doing the research.
Sinks of Gandy
Local knowledge
A stream cave where Gandy Creek runs underground for roughly three-quarters of a mile through a walkable passage — one of the few caves in the East traditionally crossed on foot end to end. On private land in Randolph County; access has historically depended on landowner permission.
On private land in Randolph County, unsigned, and reached only with the landowner's permission — and it is walked end to end rather than toured.
More places like thisKnow before you go
- Access is landowner-dependent — confirm before going
- Water levels inside change with rain and can be dangerous
- Three light sources per person, minimum
What you can do here
Gandy Creek runs underground here for roughly three-quarters of a mile through passage traditionally crossed on foot end to end, which few eastern caves allow. Three light sources per person, minimum. Water levels inside change with rain and can be dangerous, so watch the forecast. The land is private, and access has always depended on the landowner — confirm permission first.
The walk here is the cave itself: about three-quarters of a mile of stream passage on foot, in the dark, with water underfoot. That is closer to a wet scramble than to a trail, and rain can change the conditions inside quickly. This is private land in Randolph County, so confirm permission with the landowner before driving out.
Local organizations
Guides, gear and lodging near Sinks of Gandy
Place-level placement for operators within range of this trailhead, put-in or crag.
List your business hereNearby in the Potomac Highlands
Dolly Sods Wilderness
A 17,371-acre federally designated wilderness on a plateau largely above 4,000 feet, containing wind-flagged red spruce, heath barrens, sphagnum bog and exposed rock.
Bear Rocks Preserve
The northern edge of the Dolly Sods plateau, owned by The Nature Conservancy: bare Pottsville sandstone slabs, one-sided spruce sculpted by prevailing wind, and blueberry heath dropping east into the Allegheny Front with a 3,000-foot view over the Potomac Highlands.
Spruce Knob
At 4,863 feet, the highest point in West Virginia and the high point of the entire Allegheny range.
Seneca Rocks
A 900-foot fin of near-vertical Tuscarora quartzite standing above the North Fork of the South Branch — the most recognizable rock formation in the eastern United States and the only true summit in the East that can only be reached by technical climbing.
Seneca Creek Backcountry
A network of trails below Spruce Knob following Seneca Creek through spruce and northern hardwood to a series of waterfalls, the largest around 20 feet.
Blackwater Falls State Park
A 57-foot falls where the Blackwater River drops into an eight-mile canyon, its water stained amber by hemlock and spruce tannins.
West Virginia has roughly 1.5 million acres of public land and a handful of places that carry almost all of the attention. The consequence is that a great deal of very good ground sits nearly empty, usually for one of three reasons: nobody has heard of it, the road in is gated or rough, or it is undeveloped and has nothing to advertise. Those are the places below — of them across regions.