Crabtree Falls is a 70-foot waterfall found along the Blue Ridge Parkway (milepost 339.5). There is a pull-off and parking lot dedicated for the waterfall and hiking trail. A picnic area with incredible mountain views is less than a mile away.
This is one of several waterfalls located near Mount Mitchell and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Check out some other Mount Mitchell area waterfalls.
Start on the Blue Ridge Parkway and look for signs directing you to Crabtree Falls. This is a very popular waterfall, even when nearby waterfall trails are empty, so be prepared for crowds.
Park in the large parking area and look for the trailhead sign by the woods. The dirt and rock trail has lots of signs and orange blazes.
Crabtree Falls Trail
You have two options: a 3-mile hike down and back on the same path or a 3.5-mile loop trail that climbs the ridge above the falls. Depending on your fitness level, I consider both routes moderate-to-strenuous in difficulty. The longer, loop trail is more strenuous.
Both options start the same. Walk the level trail for a third of a mile, past the amphitheater, and into the campground (look for signs with Loop A and Loop B). Follow Loop A to the right.
In the campground there will be a small information booth/building to the right. Just to the left of the booth is a small gravel parking lot. At the end of the lot, you can see a large trail information sign.
Here is where the trail truly begins. It is downhill on switchbacks to the waterfall which means you will need to walk back uphill on the way out. You will have to scramble over rocks, tree roots, and boulders.
Where there are big steps or lots of large rocks, look to the side of the path. Other hikers often create flatter gutter trails next the main trail.
Take the trail down until you hit a T-intersection with a bench. This is where the trail will loop back to if you hike the longer 3.5-mile loop. To reach the waterfall, follow the trail to the right.
After heavy rains, streams flow across the path. There are three sets of steep stairs down to the falls. Benches are available periodically on the trail if you need to rest.
Crabtree Falls
From the trail, you can see the top of the falls. A large, wooden bridge spans Big Crabtree Creek near the base of the falls. Here you can enjoy terrific views of the waterfall and sit on an integrated bench.
A single birch tree grows in the middle of the creek, nestled in the rocks at the base of the main cascade. Cairns are piled along the smaller cascades near the bridge.
For a closer look of the falls, you can walk on either side. Vantage points on the right side involve treading over rocks and ledges. For views from the left side, you can take a short spur trail on the left before the bridge. People often step on boulders from this trail to stand near the base.
To complete the loop, climb the stairs beyond the bridge. The hardest part of the hike is a sharp climb just after the falls. There are sharp switchbacks and stone stairs along this trail as well.
For the shortest path back, return on the trail the way you came.
I love the look of this place. Almost as if the pathways are going back to nature!
Hi Joni! It was absolutely beautiful! Sometimes the trails aren’t very scenic but this was full of great sights all the way there and back 🙂