Catawba Falls, NC

Catawba Falls is now open as of May 31, 2024!
(Top photo by Brandon Thrower)

This beautiful waterfall, located in Pisgah National Forest, is only 30 minutes from Asheville and is easily accessible from Interstate 40. It is near the small town of Old Fort in McDowell County.

New renovations to the trails improve safety and accessibility for waterfall visitors. These improvements include trail markers, stairs, boardwalks, and a 60-foot observation tower so visitors can safely experience lower and upper falls. 

NOTE: As of May 31, 2024, certain areas of the trail are still under construction. Please follow any signage along the trail and avoid any areas that may still be closed.

Lower Catawba Falls
The 1.1-mile River Trail to the 250-foot cascading lower falls is rated as easy. For a shorter, more accessible hike, you can hike back out to the trailhead the way you entered. 

Upper Catawba Falls
For a longer, more strenuous hike, continue up 580 stairs to a 60-foot observation tower to view the stunning Upper Catawba Falls (80 feet). The quarter-mile route between the lower and upper falls is equivalent to climbing a 30-story building. At the top of the observation tower, continue across the observation pathway to the Ridge Trail for an additional 2.1 miles, bringing you back to the parking lot. The Ridge Trail is rated as intermediate because of the number of steps (580) and elevation change. Hikers with pre-existing medical conditions should use caution. 

View of the new 60-foot observation tower for viewing Upper Catawba Falls and accessing the Ridge Trail.

View of the Catawba Valley from the top of the 60-foot observation tower.

Camping, Biking 
There are no campsites or accesses for mountain biking.

Recent History
First closed in 2022, the two-year Catawba Falls Trail Improvement Project focused heavily on improving safety and accessibility for this popular destination. Before closing, Catawba Falls received up to 10,000 visitors per week during peak season, making it one of the most heavily used sites in North Carolina's national forests. In addition, prior to the renovations, visitors could only access the upper falls by climbing dangerous, slippery rocks and ropes installed by visitors. 

The recent work on Catawba Falls is part of the 42-mile Old Fort Trails Project, a collaboration between the US Forest Service, Camp Grier, the G5 Collective, People on the Move for Old Fort, and Eagle Market Street Development Corporation. The tremendous efforts of these partner organizations have supported economic development in the region through recreation infrastructure, small business development, affordable housing, and workforce development. In addition, the project partners collaborated closely with McDowell County EMS to improve emergency response times for visitors.

Catawba Falls is one of the most visited recreation sites in North Carolina's national forests. The US Forest Service acquired the site through a land trust in 2006, but it has been a popular destination in the area since the 1700s. The area has a unique history, with the remains of a hydroelectric facility from the early 1900s.

Directions 
From Asheville, take I-40 east to Exit 73 at Old Fort. Before the exit ramp ends, take the right-hand turn onto Catawba River Rd. If you are coming from east of Old Fort on I-40 West, take Exit 73, turn left, and take the first right before McDonald's (on-ramp to get back onto I-40). Turn left onto Catawba River Rd. Drive three miles to the end of the road to the parking lot.
See our Old Fort Guide for more things to do in the area. The town of Marion is nearby. Tom's Creek Falls is about 20 miles away.