Beautiful! Stopped here on our drive to Asheville. It's a nice walk to the waterfall, and next time I'd love to plan to spend a little more time at the falls. read more

Catawba Falls - Catawba Falls - Hiking Near Me - Old Fort, North Carolina

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Wow! What a great falls and impressive set of stairs and tower that were rebuilt since the hurricane. We hiked up the stairs and then back the long trail down. I think that is the best way to see it. There was a TikTok couple hogging the best picture spot of the falls and a large group making a lot of noise at the upper falls. Would have been a bit nicer but we were at the time of day when the afternoon folks are out hiking, so a bit of our fault. But this is a don't miss falls hike near Asheville! read more

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The falls is located just a short detour off I40 at Old Fort. A rather easy hike of 1.1 mile each way to catch a stellar waterfall. Stopped by a day after several days of rain so the waterway was just busting with run off. Small falls along the way. The main lower falls was spectacular. A new set of stairs was just installed in 2024 so there is now easier access to the upper falls. Easier as in climbing 535 steps. read more

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Super surprised to see this come up on Yelp. This is an AWESOME hike! Be prepared for elevation and stairs - go left for climbing up the mountain, down the stairs and right to go up stairs and down the mountain. We went left, and I think that was the right choice. The stairs were a killer going down, so going up...whew! Well done to those who do it!! The waterfall views are fantastic! You can look at it on your walk up, if you choose the stairs. read more

Catawba Falls is a delightful destination! It's worth the easy to moderate walk to the lower falls, and the moderate to strenuous hike to the upper falls. At only 1+ miles from the parking lot, the lower falls is attainable at a leisurely pace. If you've brought your stroller, at some point you'll need to stash-and-stow alongside the path and carry your child since the dirt road gradually gains elevation to a narrower path. Earlier this year (2024), the upper falls became reachable by a series of stairs that replaced the ropes and treacherous footing. If you're not used to a stair workout, the steps will be challenging on the way up due to the number of them (over 500+). But, good news, I found the challenge definitely worthwhile because of the sight of the upper falls, and because going back down the stairs is far easier. The hike can be a loop, which we did not choose, or an out-and-back. The views as the elevation increases and the tree tops open up are beautiful! If you love an accessible hike, Catawba Falls can be found a short distance off of I-40. Note that on weekends, the parking lot can fill up quickly as the day progresses. Pit toilets (as in non-flushable and stinky) are located at the trailhead. One good thing about them - plenty of toilet paper. (Fall 2024: The falls are currently closed. Check its status before heading there.) read more

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Beautiful trails of low-medium difficulty. Some areas are a little steep but nothing too bad-our eight year old was able to do the full path with minimal assistance. read more

Great hike. Not too treacherous. Lovely waterfall where you can take a dip in the cool water. read more

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A fan favorite. Especially now that they've renovated the trail making it much more kid and elderly friendly. The parking lot can fill up fast especially in the spring and summer so plan accordingly. There are two bathroom stalls at the base of the trail but nothing else. I was disappointed to see no water fountain so be sure to pack enough and then some. It was about a little more than a mile from the base/parking lot to the falls where you can put your feet in and cool off. You can even take it a step further and take the newly added stairs to additional falls. Pending on your stamina. Come equipped with the correct type of shoes, sunscreen, bug spray is never a bad idea and you can't have enough water. The views of the falls made it worth the climb. read more

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Love the stairs ! 30 stories of stairs!! The view is great, I wouldn't recommend doing this in the summer time! read more

It's a park/trail/waterfall, not a business. Hubby and I did the 1.1 mile hike. Falls were beautiful, uphill on way in, and then double the mileage for back out to parking lot. We were early and parking lot was filling up as we left. read more

We hiked real fast and almost made to the top. Next time we will slow down. But it was absolutely amazing. Hike is perfect 1.2 mile to waterfall. Then it's 585 steps( tough) definitely do it again! read more

Since before COVID I've wanted to return to this magnificent waterfall to climb to the UPPER FALLS, but the trail was suddenly closed and has remained so for over 2 years. HOWEVER, AS OF MAY 31st, 2024, Catawba Falls trail has been reopened with a few new bonus features: 1) A newly built stair tower leading to Upper Catawba Falls and 2) a newly carved ridge trail leading up the mountain on the opposite side of the river directly from the parking area. Gone is the dangerous old goat trail, guided by a questionable rope that so many used to navigate their way to the upper falls, some to their own demise. TODAY is June 2nd, 2024 and we arrived to the trail at the beginning of a light rainstorm. Several Park Rangers were on hand this inaugural weekend to assist hikers with questions about the new trails. What we didn't know was part of the trail has been washed out about midway to the falls and hikers were diverted to a different trail that bypassed the washout for around 1/4 miles. The problem with this trail (named the Wildflower Trail) is it becomes VERY SLIPPERY when wet. Extreme caution had to be taken to stay upright, and even with caution we had several close calls. Wildflower trail also bypasses some of the prettier parts of the main trail where it hugs the river for nice views of cascades. The main waterfall is still awesome, but something seemed odd and overwhelming about the new stair tower. In my opinion it kinda took away from the natural beauty, but I am grateful it now exists to guide hikers safely to the upper falls. Many websites claim the lower falls are around 100 feet tall, but ALLTRAILS topography maps show its beginning elevation around 2165 feet and ends around 1965 feet, making it approximately 200 feet tall (not counting the cascades above or below it). There are exactly 580 steps leading to the Upper Falls according to the informational signage, which also says the Upper Falls have a height of 80 feet. IMHO it doesn't visibly look taller than 50 or 60 feet when standing at the base. But no matter its correct height, I find the Upper Falls to be more beautiful than the Main Falls. I've waited so long to see it in person and even with low water flow it did not disappoint. Every bit as scenic as I hoped! I just wish the day had been sunnier for brighter photos. You can continue along the RIDGE TRAIL to return to the parking lot or go back down the new stair tower. Some suggest hiking the RIDGE TRAIL to the upper falls first and taking the stairs back, but everyone we talked to who had just hiked the ridge trail in the rain said it was EXTREMELY SLIPPERY. So we only used the river trail coming and going. HIKING INFO * Restrooms : YES * PARKING LOT SIZE : LARGE (100+ cars) * Directional signage : YES * DISTANCE TO LOWER FALLS from parking : 1 mile on River Trail (add .1 mile for Wildflower detour trail) * DISTANCE to upper falls from lower falls : .2 mile + 580 stairs * RIVER TRAIL DIFFICULTY : EASY when dry; MODERATE when wet * RIDGE TRAIL DIFFICULTY : MODERATE (adds about .9 miles) * 535 TOWER OF STEPS : MODERATE (Take your time! Plenty of places to stop and rest on the way up) * TIME : It took 35 minutes to reach the Main Falls on the River Trail. We reached the upper falls about 1 hour after we began the hike, counting stops for pics and our very slow pace due to slippery conditions. Overall our round trip time was 1 hour and 45 minutes with a total of 2.6 miles. Soaking rain kept us from lingering too long at the falls. Informational signage is confusing on the stair count. It refers to there being 535 stairs, but also 580 stairs on another section of the same sign. I believe the 535 are the tower itself and the additional 45 steps are the wood timbers along the trail above the tower. I could be wrong, I didn't actually count. NOTE: Metal grates on some of the tower steps are unfriendly to small dogs. You will likely have to carry them over these sections. FINAL THOUGHTS Bottom line, the new Catawba Trail System is one for the books! Historic in that they are the first set of steps ever built, giving easy access to the upper falls as well as a new ridge trail for an alternate route. It is more preferable to hike these trails when they are dry, but what's the fun in that? Almost slipping off a mountain can make you feel surprisingly alive! LOL THANK YOU to all the people who made these new features possible! read more

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Beautiful area! Tried walking the trail to see the falls but it was too hard for my hubby with bad knees. Sat at the picnic table. Brought our lunch and our dog. Beautiful weather. read more

Catawba Falls - Woodsy - Hiking Near Me - Old Fort, North Carolina

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It was quite the joke but the waterfalls were worth it. Bring plenty of water and a can-do attitude and you'll be all set. Warning: contains lots and lots and lots of stairs, upward hike depending on which direction you start. And if you're afraid of heights you would be done when you reached the tower (which is before the actual large waterfall). Before the tower there are still a few little waterfalls for you to enjoy. Yours a busy trail but with broad pathways. read more

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Perfect day hike! Recommended for all ages & skill levels. Lots of wildlife. Lots of stairs (if you choose this route). Lots of space. Lots of cool mushrooms! Easy drive from Charlotte. 10/10. read more

Catawba Falls - Hiking Near Me - Old Fort, North Carolina

Lovely hike and water falls. Lots of options for longer or shorter hike. We did the ridge hike to the upper falls and then down the steps to the lower and back to the parking lot. You can just do a flat walk to the lower falls if you aren't inclined to go for a long walk. There are also other longer trails you can combine your hike with. The trail is very well maintained and there are benches to rest on the step portion. read more

We had a wonderful time I recommend it for your entire family and friends we really enjoyed it we took pictures and had some amazing memories to share read more

We came here with our hiking group two weeks ago and it was an awesome hike! I hadn't ever been before so I can't say what the old trail was like, but they've definitely done an excellent job with the new trail. The section from the parking lot to the lower falls is mostly gravel and not too steep. The section to the upper falls is a lot of steps but there's spots to sit and rest along the way and the tower has a nice spot to look out from. Not an easy hike, per se, but definitely not too difficult and the last leg is well worth it to see the upper falls. read more

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Moderate difficulty , 2.3 miles, 341 FT elevation. Dog, kid and hiker friendly. River views, waterfall, forest, wildflower, wildlife. Great parking. Historical building on the trail dating back to the 1920's. We were staying at a hotel and were talking to a local. She said it was a nice easy hike and she loved taking her kids. Depending on what type of hiker you are depends on if this is an easy hike or not. For my 60 year old sister, it was a challenge. For me at 52 and I hike all the time it was easy and really lovely. We totally enjoyed every aspect. It was not super crowded. I met a great local guy and it was like meeting a historian. He knew all about the historical building. I wish I could remember him name because he was awesome. Took time out of his hike to give me a complete history lesson. He was great if you know his name please me a message in the comments. For me this is why I hike to meet the most interesting people on the planet. Weather was perfect this time of year. We did not even need bug spray. The water was perfect. I got in and totally enjoyed it. Getting in it optional because my sister did not get in and was not interested in getting in but she still enjoyed watching everyone. The waterfalls are small but totally worth hiking to. I could see taking a backpack lunch and sitting and eating lunch. Dogs were enjoying it and seemed like kids of all ages were enjoying it too. If you are in the area I would say give it a try. You might discover you love hiking like I do. read more

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I never experienced this trail before the renovations, but this place is awesome! Very well marked and maintained and the climb from either direction, whether the terrain clockwise or the stairs counter-clockwise, is totally worth it! read more

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Just east of Asheville and tucked in the midst of Pisgah National Forest is Catawba River. It flows through a mossy riverbed, crosses a rolling forest, and cascades in a series of waterfalls. This is the perfect day hike and is 2.5 miles round trip with a 300 ft. climb. The single trailhead winds through some shady pine, a metal bridge, and an old powerhouse that is now covered in moss and lichen. A mile in, the trail becomes a little bit rocky as you navigate through a steep switchback and climb over boulders. Then towards the end you hear the roaring waters until you can see the towering waterfall cascade over multiple tiers of plant covered cliffs. It was a bit crowded so I would try to go as early as possible. Dogs are allowed off leash on the trails and there is no entrance fee. read more

Really beautiful scenery with great waterfalls views and picture opportunities. That just be why this place can get busy - so I'd recommend following normal tourist guidelines and going early and avoiding weekend. There are many interesting side areas off the path, and if you devoted most of the day to exploring, I'm sure you'd have a great time and feel accomplished. Not everyone was as respectful of the space as I would hope, but I guess that comes with the territory of Instagram-able locations. The bathroom facilities were pretty frightening too. Parking lot was pretty hectic when we left. Not too strenuous of a walk, but I noticed a few areas where one could roll their ankle with the wrong footwear. All in all, great spot - with some normal modern world challenges that come with popular nature spots. If you want great pictures of the waterfalls, plan accordingly to miss the crowds. read more

The "nature" trails have been ruined. Nothing more than gravel roadways now. And what was an awesome adventure to the falls is now nearly 600 steps up a hideous commercial-looking set of stairs. It's truly sad what has become of the Falls. read more

Super cool short incline hike with a big payoff at the end with the waterfalls and wading pool! There's also an extreme hike/climb to the top that begins at the waterfall. A good workout! read more

Catawba Falls - Hiking Near Me - Old Fort, North Carolina

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If there's mermaids anywhere in the mountains they are hanging out here. Being so close to home, we're pretty frequent visitors of this hike despite it being so popular. If you go at the right time, you can beat the crowds and really enjoy the magic this place has to offer. What are the those times? Can't tell ya. The mermaids made me promise. There's a fairly decent sized parking lot so that is favorable during the busy season. The hike is easy. It's pretty much paved/gravel the whole way. With some rocks at the top. Just use caution and take your time. I've seen all types of hikers on this trail. It really is a trail for the whole family. Dogs should be kept on leash and I wouldn't suggest climbing all the way to the top because A) don't go off trail and B) its slippery. We usually bring a picnic and enjoy the water pools. This place really does have magical vibes so stay around a while. read more

Catawba Falls - Hiking Near Me - Old Fort, North Carolina

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Easy hike, pretty short but rewarding at the end when you get to check out the falls. Tons of shade on the trail. The trail is well maintained and clean. Trail space is mostly wide. There were only a handful of times we let another hiker or party of hikers go by due to trail width space. There's a bit of climbing at the falls portion if you prefer to climb higher up to them. There's tons of rocks and a log to rest on near the bottom of the falls. Bring your phone or camera for pictures! read more

Catawba Falls - Climb the rocks a short distance (to the right of the picture) to have a closer look at the falls. - Hiking Near Me - Old Fort, North Carolina

If you are in the Asheville area, this trail is a must. The path is wide and well kept and follows a flowing river all the way up. There are beautiful spots all along the way, but the view at the top is breathtaking and will stop you in your tracks! The trail is fairly easy and could be done as a family hike - it is just over a mile to the top. There are places to rock hop along the way if you like. You can also see the remains of historic buildings at different points on the trail. We went in February, and the trail was not very busy. We saw about 10 other couples/groups during our 2 hour time there. When you finish the hike, there is a great little local restaurant on the same road called "Custards Last Stand" where you can get a delicious southern cooked meal or a burger with fries for about $6/$7. read more

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Hiking to Catawba Falls takes you through gorgeous woods, along a stream, and to a very impressive waterfall. The path is well-maintained and we saw lots of pets and kids. The parking lot is big, and an indicator that this trailhead can get pretty crowded! read more

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We came here to go hiking recently. It's a pretty short hike -- about 2.2 miles round-trip. There's an out house at the parking lot. The hike was pretty easy. It was uphill on the way out, but it was very gradual. There were a couple other smaller falls on the way there. The falls were quite impressive. They were a lot taller than I expected. To get the best view, you have to climb over a couple of rocks into closer of the middle of the river. The only downside for me was that it was kind of short. I would recommend doing another hike in the area if you're looking to spend a few hours hiking. read more

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The trail is only a few minutes off of the highway. You wouldn't know it, however, as you traipse through the quiet woodland trail hearing only the water and an occasional bird. A few stone ruins create scenery along the way, but the main attraction is clearly the falls. It is an impressive sight. The climb is slippery, and climbers are well advised to go only as far as their skill level allows. The views will be excellent at any level. And you'll walk out refreshed, invigorated, and ready to continue your drive. read more

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A little out of the way, but well worth the drive. Starts with a picturesque jaunt along a tree lined trail that quickly crosses a river and begins climbing at gentle elevation all the way up to the falls. Along the way are a ton of great views of the river and various rapids as you slowly climb up the trail. The trail itself isn't too steep except at the very end of you want to climb up for a better view, and totals about 2.5 miles round-trip, and took about an hour from start to finish. Perfect for all levels of hiking ability and probably would be even more beautiful in the spring when all the green starts showing up, highly recommend this hike! read more

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This waterfall is absolutely gorgeous! It is a pretty easy hike along a trail with a few spots over streams, cascading falls, and rocks. The views are breathtaking! We saw couples, families and friends. It had lots of dogs and was a little crowded. Lots of people enjoying nature on a gorgeous winter weekend. The views were amazing! read more

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I am SO glad we took the time to go out to Catawba Falls! It was absolutely gorgeous. I could have just stood/sat there at the base of the falls watching it for hours. The hike itself was fairly easy. The majority of it was just along a well made path with a slight incline. There's one spot where you'll have to jump across a few rocks to cross a creek, but nothing too crazy. There were a lot of small kids on this trail so it's definitely family friendly! Once you get closer to the falls, there's more rocky areas to climb up, but definitely do-able. I saw many people wearing flip-flops but I would recommend sticking with tennis or hiking shoes. The path is mostly dirt and could easily become muddy if it had recently rained. Most of the pathway goes along the water so you have beautiful views the entire time. There's many smaller waterfalls to see at well as you make your way up. I even saw some people jumping in and swimming in the water at one spot we passed. Once up to the falls, there's quite a bit of people hanging around admiring it. As well as even getting in and playing in the water. But that water is COLD! After the hike it would have probably feel pretty good though. I would say round trip, it took us about an hour and 45 minutes. But we were certainly taking our time and spent a little while watching the falls. There seemed to be plenty of parking at the entrance as well, which looked fairly busy for a Thursday. Bathrooms are also located at the entrance but no sinks/soap so bring your hand sanitizer! Overall this was probably one of my favorite places we visited in Asheville. Well worth it! read more

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Just beautiful! It's a great hike that starts off flat and slowly moves up. It's our family's favorite hike in the area. My 3 year old does it without a problem. The path goes over a creek which is fun for the kids and could be nerve racking for some parents. At the end of the trail, the waterfalls are massive and goes really high. They're working on building a boardwalk but that's going to take years to complete. read more

This trail was a pretty easy hike...on the way up to the falls is mostly a slight uphill grade with some rocky spots and some muddy spots. There is one small stream where you either have to just resign to get your shoes wet or try to rock hop on the small, slick rocks - it's a gamble either way. The trail ends at Catawba Falls - it was very populated (even on a Monday midday) and lots of folks just hanging out on the rocks below the falls. It's worth a trip if you're looking for an easy, pretty hike. I suspect the trail is quite a bit more muddy after rain, so be prepared. read more

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This park is in the Pisgah national Forest. There is no entry fee to get in the park is kept pretty neat and tidy. I didn't visit the restroom facilities but there is one near the parking area. The trail is about 1.2 miles to the waterfall. although I don't know if they mean the first one or the second one. I am posting the pictures and you can check them out for yourself on which one that you like better. I like both, but the small waterfall was nice because it was quiet and not many people there. The overhead canopy of the forest was so thick that there wasn't any slippery moss on the rocks from sunlight. The air was fresh and the water was cold. It was just right temp for cooling off so I could keep going up the path to the bigger waterfall. fact, the rocks were so smooth in some places around the falls that my kids found an area to slide into a small pool. The big waterfall was great but there were a lot more people around. Some even brought their dog . Down the street not far is a camp ground for rv's and tents. It's a great place to go and spend time with your family. We loved it! read more

Catawba Falls - Parking area - Hiking Near Me - Old Fort, North Carolina

This is definitely one of my favorite hikes in the Asheville area. I've been hiking here for almost 10 years now and it's been really cool seeing the popularity of it grow and along with that, a parking lot and bathroom have been built! This is/can be a two-part hike. The first section of the hike is about 1.5 miles in to a gorgeous cascading waterfall. This part of the hike is very easy with a wide trail and very little elevation change. It is absolutely gorgeous with a fairly new bridge and spots to stop and play in the river or look at smaller waterfalls. This hike is very family friendly and there is even handicapped parking in the lot, accessible to people of most athletic abilities. The second half of this hike is where it really gets fun though. This is a strenuous section that really should only be done by people who are in good shape. Although it is probably only a 1/2 mile in, it is quite intense. You go up very steep rock faces using ropes. It is really fun and keeps you on your toes. Once you get to the end, you arrive at another gorgeous waterfall with a small swimming hole. It is way worth the work and a great place to hang out for a while. The way back down is much easier. This is an amazing hike and a great place to take out-of-town visitors (the first section anyway). Bring your camera! read more

Catawba Falls - Lower falls - Hiking Near Me - Old Fort, North Carolina

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Always beautiful, good place to go in the summer for a hike. Be careful though, it can be dangerous ( if you're reckless.) I never walk to the very top of the waterfall, just to the bottom as people have slipped and gotten hurt or have died from the fall before (like I said, be careful.) read more

Catawba Falls - Waterfall - Hiking Near Me - Old Fort, North Carolina

Beautiful waterfalls.... several of them. This is a nice hike, with reasonably maintained trails, bridges over the stream, and hiking access to all but the uppermost Falls. It's a wooded area, and the hike is a bit uphill, for about a mile. It's also dog-friendly, but a leash is in order. There is a good parking area, rest rooms (primitive), and a well marked trail head. The hike can be treacherous in heavy weather and for idiots who ignore common sense; apparently it's not infrequent that people injure themselves going off-trail and trying to access the uppermost Falls. There is wildlife here too. We saw what appeared to be a copperhead sunning itself on a rock a couple years ago. This is one of my favorite falls to photograph, particularly the "middle Falls". read more

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While on our vacation, we wanted to go for a hike, but because I was about to have foot surgery, we didn't want to do anything super difficult. Catawba Falls seemed like it would fit the bill and it did! Located in Pisgah National Forest, about a 30 minute drive outside of Asheville, NC, this place has a really nice and spacious parking area, which already had quite a few cars in it when we arrived. There's also a pit toilet, which was a nice convenience. The trail isn't blazed here, but it's pretty hard to miss, being a nice wide, almost carriage road. It's a pretty gentle ascent up to the falls, nothing ridiculously challenging. Our dog had a great time here as well, and enjoyed meeting all the other pups along the way. The falls are very pretty, with a pleasant multiple shelf cascade. There were plenty of people there, but everyone was nice about making room for photos and such. This was a really great, dog-friendly leg stretch/hike. If I had kids, I think they would also enjoy this hike as well. read more

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