Catawba Falls

Catawba Falls is located just off of I-40 in the Pisgah National Forest, near Old Fort, in McDowell County, North Carolina. Althouth the falls are on National Forest property, the falls have been off-limits to the general public for the past 25 years because the access trail was on private property. Recently, the Foothills Conservancy bought the 23-acre tract over which the access trail passes, and the public is now allowed to access the fails simply by parking at the end of the road and walking up the trail. 

History

People have hiked along the Catawba River to view these spectacular waterfalls for over 150 years.  In the 19th century, the Catawba Falls were promoted as a tourist attraction along the road from Old Fort to Asheville.  In the 1870s, Rufus Morgan popularized the falls with stereographic photograps (see Rufus Morgan photographed the Catawba Falls).  In the early 1900s, Colonel Daniel W. Adams, a pioneer in the development of hydroelectric power, bought the land around the falls and in the 1920s, he built the dams below the falls, which created electricity for the town of Old Fort. In 1928 he sold the power plant to a small power company. Eventually Duke Power Company took it over and closed the facilities.  The falls have received relatively recent attention in recent years because (until recently) it was necessary to obtain permission from a private property owner to access the falls.

Directions to Trailhead

The trailhead is near exit 73 of I-40, which is near Old Fort, North Carolina, at the bottom of the Old Fort grade.  If you are traveling west, exit 73 is the first Old Fort exit, and it is necessary to cross over the interstate and turn right onto Catawba River Road, which at first doubles as the exit ramp from I-40 East, and immediately turn left off the exit ramp to stay on Catawba River Road.  If you are traveling east on I-40 from Asheville, exit 73 is the second Old Fort exit and you should turn right onto Catawba River Road before the end of the exit ramp. 

Go west 3 miles on Catawba River Road to the dead-end at the bridge. Park on the left side of the road in the gravel pulloff(directions on Google Maps). Do not block the driveway on the right side.  Please show respect and don't litter!

Hike to Lower Falls

The trail begins at the end of Catawba River Road.  The trail is mostly relatively easy at first, and it follows an old wagon trail that was once the main stagecoach route from Old Fort to Asheville.  The trail also follows an old power line (which is down in places).  There is no camping or overnight parking allowed along the trail, but there is a campground on the River along the road to the trailhead.  

The trail up to Catawba Falls is fairly easy with a little scrambling in a couple of places and about 1.5 miles one way. There are 3 stream crossings with the first crossing being the most difficult. Rocks have been positioned for a dry crossing, but if the river is up, you may have to wade in the river.  Wear shoes you don't mind getting soaked or bring a towel to dry your feet off if you have to take your shoes off. A hiking stick comes in handy for balance if you can get over on the rocks.

The river will be on your left coming up the road, then it curves to the right where the road ends. There's a one lane bridge across the river with a chain link fence at the end preventing vehicle traffic, but there's a gap for foot traffic. Head towards the building on the right and walk to the left of it. The building is on private property so stay out! 

Pick up the trail that heads up river behind the building. The trail starts on the left side of the creek but eventually you must cross to the right side where the trail continues. When the water is low, it is possible to rock-hop at the obvious crossing point, but it when the water is high it may be impossible to cross at this location without getting your feet wet.  Just upstream from the obvious crossing, there is an old slippery log that can be used to cross the stream (or as a platform to fall into the water).  The log is near the old powerhouse. You may be able to scoot across the log as a makeshift bridge.  Be prepared to get wet.

After you cross the water, the trail follows the creek upstream on a gentle grade at first, then a moderate climb. You will pass by the ruins of the dam that supplied the old power house (seen here). The trail drops off steeply to a cascade below the dam, so be careful.  For a different perspective on this cascade, there is a  small goat trail down to the base of the lower drop. This creek used to be the sole power source for the town of Old Fort.  Please stay off the dam and away from the cliffs in this area.

Beyond the dam, the trail climbs a bit more steeply before making another creek crossing - an easy rockhop. Next, the trail comes out in a dry wash. Cross to a rocky “island” in between the wash and another creek crossing, and cross that as well. This second crossing is more tricky, but there may be logs that can be used as a bridge.

After crossing the creek, Catawba Falls is only a little further up the trail. The trail continues uphill a short distance through an area of very large boulders.  The trail can be difficult to follow in this area so when in doubt stay to the right around the rocks and come out above them at a nice viewing area at the base of the falls.

Lower & Middle Falls

The heavily traveled section of the trail ends at the base of the lower falls, where there is a decent area for hanging out and viewing the falls.  The waterfall cascades for more than 100'. With leaves on the trees you can't see the entire waterfall from the base because it makes a curve to the right towards the top. In the winter months you'll get a more complete view. It isn't safe to climb this or any other waterfall, so please don't!  Be careful!  There are some drop-offs and cascades just downstream from the viewing area. 

Lower Catawba Falls

Middle Catawba Falls

Upper Falls

There is a scramble path that leads up the right side of the falls to the Upper Falls, but it is NOT recommended that you proceed to the upper falls. There is a sign warning you not to go that way and you should heed the sign.  The path to the upper falls is steep, arduous, slippery and dangerous. You have to climb next to the falls where one slip could send you over the edge. Until a better path is established, do not attempt to reach the upper falls.  According to one experience hiker, “the trek to the Upper Falls is more technical than the trek to the base camp on Mt. Everest.”  If you are tempted to ignore the warnings, remember that the hike down this steep section will be more difficult than the climbing up. 

The trail to the upper falls starts out steep, and gets steeper so that it eventually becomes necessary to pull yourself up from one handhold to the next.  There is a rope of uncertain reliability that provides the illusion of security along one section of the climb, but the rope is frayed and should not be relied upon.  If you slip, you may tumble down the path and off the falls. Not only is it steep, but it’s narrow, with a sheer drop-off into the creek.

Upper Catawba Falls

WARNING!!! 

When you are around the falls, including the lower falls, remember that wet rocks are very slippery and people fall to their deaths from waterfalls every year!  Please be careful and use common sense!  Do not climb rocks around the waterfalls and do not ever cross a stream or swim at the top of a waterfall.

Cell phone coverage is good around the falls but there is no quick response emergency teams to help you so be safe.

Please be very careful not to trample vegetation while exploring any falls!  There may be species of rare plants living in or near the spray areas of the falls.

Photographs

Most of the photographs on this page are provided courtesy of Rich Stevenson at ncwaterfalls.com.  Copies of the photos can be purchased at www.ncwaterfalls.com.  The black & white photo is a public archrival photo taken in the 1870s by Rufus Morgan.

More Information

For other waterfalls in North Carolina: click on NorthCarolinaWaterfalls.info or return to our hiking page.

Information for this page was obtained, in part, from http://blog.wncoutdoors.info/hikewncnews/visit-to-catawba-falls/http://blog.wncoutdoors.info/hikewncnews/visit-to-catawba-falls/