Catawba Falls
McDowell County, North Carolina
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- Not recorded
- Location
- McDowell County, North Carolina
- Access status
- Loop open; upper platform and Wildflower Trail closed
- The walk
- About 3 miles return; 3.5-mile loop option
- Ground & access
- Lower approach rated easy. The upper section has 580 stairs and substantial climbing, rated intermediate.
The loop is open, but USFS still lists the upper viewing platform and Wildflower Trail closed following Helene.
Plan your visit
Catawba River Trail to Lower Falls; optional Ridge Trail loop
Tourism gives about 1.5 miles one-way to Lower Falls, about 3 miles return. USFS gives 3.5 miles for the full loop.
Lower approach rated easy. The upper section has 580 stairs and substantial climbing, rated intermediate.
Where to start
At I-40 Exit 73 in Old Fort, take Catawba River Road about three miles to the lot. Free parking is limited; do not park along residential road shoulders.
Timing & water
County tourism lists dawn-to-dusk access. Check the Forest Service page for current closures before going.
Before you go
County tourism identifies free main-lot parking and separately posted paid parking options.
Visitor informationMore waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Lower Catawaba FallsNational forest trail; view from the trail onlyMcDowell County, NC0.2 miNE
Upper Catawba FallsPartial: loop trail open; the Forest Service lists the upper viewing platform as closedMcDowell County, NC0.2 miSW- Davids FallsNational forest trail; river crossings on the spurMcDowell County, NC0.8 miSW
- Graybeard FallsPrivate conservation land open to hikers; blazed trailBuncombe County, NC5.4 miNW
- Slick FallsMcDowell County, NC6.4 miN
- Standing Rock FallsMcDowell County, NC6.7 miSE
- Hickory Branch FallsMcDowell County, NC7.0 miNE
- Licklog Branch FallsMcDowell County, NC7.8 miN
- Broad River FallsBuncombe County, NC8.3 miS