Trail Length: 2.1 Miles (we did another .4 miles in side-trails)

AllTrails Rating: Easy

famBeta Rating: Easy

famBeta Time: We spent a total of 2 hours in this beautiful part of Pisgah. The trail itself can be done easily (with children) in 30 minutes each way – but you should take your time.

Catawba Falls is a famBeta favorite! This is an easy hike there is only a little scrambling and only one small stream to cross. The falls themselves are beautiful and unique in how there are so many little cascades spread out over such a wide and tall rockface.

The trailhead is easy to locate from the parking lot and the trail starts off level, wide, and well maintained. You’ll pass some old structures, remnants of hydroelectric power generation. After a large bridge over the Catawba River, the trail snakes along the bank crossing a shallow, yet wide stream. Rock hopping this side-stream is possible, just don’t do what our 6-year-old did by finding the deepest hole in the stream and standing there shocked that he was wet. But I digress.

At the time of our visit (July 2020) there were no blowdowns to climb under/over on the trail itself. The areas where scrambling is required are closer to the falls themselves and fairly simple, although you may need to give your kids a hand. Erin and I typically take up the front and rear on obstacles such as this, so we can show the kids how and where to traverse. Even with wet boots, this area was not difficult to pass.

The falls are magnificent, towering around 100′ they are made up of constantly shifting streams of water. The rockface is covered in moss, you can easily see the diverse ecosystem a waterfall such as this creates in it’s basin. The basin itself is fairly shallow, ranging from ankle to knee deep, there are several large rocks on which to sit or stand. It’s a large area as well, so social distancing is easily attained (if you arrive early!!!).

On our way back down the trail we took some less-traveled side routes to the river. Here we were treated with small cascades and waterfalls, beautiful hardwood trees and rhododendrons. The kids occupied a large rock in the middle of the river while eating a snack. Erin and I enjoyed exploring beneath a massive downed tree.

We took several of these side trails on our way back to the parking lot, even hiking/scrambling along the river for a bit. It really added another dimension to the trip and allowed us even more privacy as a family than what was possible at the basin of the falls.

A couple of caveats. First and foremost this trail gets busy! Get there early and move on up the trail. We left Charlotte at 7 am, hit the trail by 9.30, and were back in the van eating lunch, before noon. When we arrived there were a dozen cars at the trailhead. By the time we left vehicles were parked along the road for hundreds of yards. Get there early.

Second. I would not recommend hiking the trail to the top of the falls with children or inexperienced hikers. The trail to the upper section is frequently washed out and isn’t maintained by the Forest Service.

We decided after completing this trail on such a gorgeous day that we should take the opportunity while in the area to visit Tom’s Creek falls, as it’s only a 20 minute drive through the country from Catawba Falls. Tom’s Creek didn’t disappoint. Check back shortly for part two of this great trip with the kids!