💦 Waterfall Plunge Pool
🟡 Moderate Free Entry ⚠️ Safety Note
🌊 About Catawba Falls
A popular multi-cascade waterfall hike near Old Fort with a swimming hole and rope swing at one of the lower cascades.
📋 Visit Details
Water Temperature
💧 Cool, clear
Best Season
📅 Spring–fall
Water Type
Multiple cascades & swimming hole with rope swing
Managed By
US Forest Service (Pisgah National Forest)
County
McDowell County, North Carolina
Access Difficulty
🟡 Moderate
🗺️ Getting There
Address / Access Point:
Catawba Falls Rd, Old Fort, NC 28762
Access Notes:
Moderate ~2.7-mile round-trip hike; multiple creek crossings
✅ Before You Go — Checklist
-
✓
Check current water conditions — especially after recent rain
-
✓
Save GPS coordinates offline before leaving — cell service may be limited
-
✓
Pack reef-safe sunscreen, dry bag, water shoes and plenty of drinking water
-
✓
Tell someone where you are going before heading to a remote location
-
✓
Pack out everything you bring in — leave no trace