Waterfall Hero Hikes: Catawba Falls

Catawba Falls is a beautiful 100-foot waterfall near the headwaters of Catawba River in McDowell County, North Carolina. The waterfall is located in the Old Fort Area of Pisgah National Forest.

Hike Length: 2.2 miles
Estimated Time: 1 to 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Old Fort Area (Grandfather Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest)
Trail Users: Hiking only
Dogs: Yes
Features: Waterfalls (2+)
Crowds: Very High
Warnings: The rocks around waterfalls are slippery. Do not climb out on the rocks along the waterfall, many people have fallen to their deaths here. Stay on the stairs and observation tower to view the upper portion of the waterfall.
Trailhead GPS: 35.61389,-82.22998
Waterfall GPS: 35.60433,-82.24512

Directions:

From I-40 in Old Fort, take exit 73. If coming from the west, at the end of the exit ramp, make a sharp right turn on Catawba River Road and follow for about 3 miles. If coming from the east, at the end of the exit ramp, turn left on Catawba Avenue and then a right on Catawba River Road after crossing under I-40. There is a bridge over Catawba River that leads to a Forest Service parking area for the waterfalls. Do not park anywhere else on the road.

Map:

Hike Description:

Pick up Catawba Falls River Trail to the right of the restrooms at the far end of the parking lot. In about 1/4 mile, the trail crosses Catawba River on a bridge next to the ruins of an old hydroelectric facility. In the early 20th century, the river below the falls was dammed to generate electricity for the town of Old Fort. The hydroelectric station was in use until the mid 20th century.

Across the bridge, the trail follows the river upstream. At 0.8 miles, Wildflower Trail splits to the right just after crossing Clover Patch Branch. Go right and the trail heads up along the river past Lower Catawba Falls.

The other end of Wildflower trail comes meets the trail and then crosses Chestnut Branch on a bridge at 1 mile. The stairs begin and shortly leads to the base of the waterfall. It is has been a natural attraction for more than 100 years.

Although the waterfall was on national forest property for some time, there was no legal way to access. In 2009, the Forest Service acquired the land for a legal access point at the end of Catawba River Road to ensure public access. Being so high up on the river, it can reduce to a trickle in dry times but is really spectacular in high water.

Due to the waterfall's popularity, a number of injuries and deaths have occurred. The area was closed in 2022 to allow the forest service to construct new trails and stairs to improve safety and accessibility. The stairs and observation tower, completed in 2024, lead up along the waterfall, providing a safe way to view the upper portions of the waterfall.