Crab Orchard Falls
Watauga County, North Carolina
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- Not recorded
- Location
- Watauga County, North Carolina
- Access status
- Private conference center trail open to the public; free
- The walk
- About 1.3 mile loop
- Ground & access
- Moderate, mostly uphill to the falls. The path can be muddy and slippery after rain or snow. Stone steps on the spur.
From Boone take NC 105 south about 5 miles, turn right on Broadstone Road toward Valle Crucis, then left on NC 194 south for about 1.3 miles and make a sharp right on Skiles Road into Valle Crucis Conference Center. Stay left at the fork and park in the signed Waterfall Parking lot by the Church of the Holy Cross. Walk past Johnson Hall and up the gravel path; both trailheads start a short way into the tree line, the old trail on the left and the newer, gentler trail on the right. Climb about half a mile to a bench where a side path with stone steps descends to the wooden overlook at the bottom of the 40 foot cascading falls. Return on either trail to make the loop.
Plan your visit
Waterfall Parking at Valle Crucis Conference Center, loop trail behind Johnson Hall to the Crab Orchard Falls overlook
The Diocese of Western North Carolina gives a total loop of 1.3 miles with 324 feet of elevation gain using the new trail up and the old trail back. Waterfall Hero gives 1.2 miles; Beech Mountain gives 1.6 miles.
Moderate, mostly uphill to the falls. The path can be muddy and slippery after rain or snow. Stone steps on the spur.
Where to start
Waterfall Parking lot at Valle Crucis Conference Center, 146 Skiles Way, Banner Elk. A portable toilet is at the trailhead. Published trailhead coordinates: 36.19757, -81.78926.
Timing & water
Not stated. The trail was rebuilt in 2024.
Before you go
Free admission. Parking is open 7 days a week unless a major event is held at the conference center. Dogs on a leash. The land is private conference center property open to the public.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Dutch Creek FallsWatauga County, NC1.0 miS
- Otter FallsShort trail in a town park with a signed parking areaWatauga County, NC3.8 miS
- Hebron Colony FallsNational park picnic area trailhead; marked trail and steep side pathWatauga County, NC4.5 miSE
- She Falls FallsWatauga County, NC4.6 miW
- Laurel Creek FallsPartial: short informal path; landowner and permission not confirmedWatauga County, NC4.8 miNW
- Green Mountain FallsRoadside viewpoint documented by two accountsWatauga County, NC6.1 miS
- Buckeye Creek FallsTown park trail; loop bridge out since September 2024, out-and-back worksWatauga County, NC6.5 miW
- Tanawha FallsAvery County, NC7.1 miS
- China Creek FallsWatauga County, NC7.7 miSE