Catawba Falls is a cascade waterfall in North Carolina with a documented drop of 100 ft (30 m).
The falls are fed by Catawba River. It lies in McDowell, North Carolina. The site is on public land managed by Pisgah National Forest (USFS).
This is a moderate hike waterfall: a longer day hike, roughly one to several miles each way. The walk to the main viewpoint runs about 2.2 miles round trip. The nearest town is Old Fort.
When to go: Spring. Like most waterfalls, Catawba Falls runs highest after snowmelt or heavy rain and can thin out in late summer, so it's worth checking recent streamflow and the land manager's conditions page before a long drive.
