Cathey’s Creek Falls is an 80-foot waterfall near Brevard, North Carolina in Pisgah National Forest.
From U.S. highway 64, turn on Cathey’s Creek Road. Almost immediately you’ll hit a T intersection, turn left. Follow the road and continue after it becomes a gravel forest road – Forest Road 471 (FR 471). Once in the forest, at the Y intersection, take the sharp right to head uphill.
Note: FR 471 is a single lane and very curvy so be careful, especially around turns.
The waterfall is 3.2 miles from U.S. 64, along the right side of the road. No sign or marker is available so pay attention to the distance. There is room for 1 car at the pull-off. A car was already there when I arrived, but I was able to squeeze my car in at the end. There is a larger pull-off on the right a short distance before the waterfall if the main parking spot is full.
Cathey’s Creek Falls
You can’t see the falls from the road, but you should be able to hear it. At the pull-off, look down to the right for the trail. It is a short quarter-mile path downhill. It is an easy hike but steep. This is harder after rain or snow as it will be muddy and slippery. There was snow on the ground when I visited, but I was able to follow in someone else’s footsteps.
Cathey’s Creek Falls is a beautiful cascade flowing down a rockface. There is a small, flat viewing area at the bottom, near the water’s edge. Several fallen logs rest in the creek.
It is a calm, quiet place to enjoy nature and escape the more crowded waterfalls nearby.
In order to head back to U.S. 64, continue on FR 471 beyond the waterfall until you see a bridge. There is a wider area here where you can turn around. Or you can continue on the road until you find FR 475. From FR 475 it is a short drive to the fish hatchery and U.S. 276. There are many additional waterfalls on the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway.
For other waterfalls in the area, check out my list of Brevard waterfalls.