Exploring the Blue Ridge Parkway brings with it countless adventures to get out of the car and immerse yourself in the lush, green wilderness you admire while making the drive. Many such places to explore are conveniently found only steps from the highway; such is the case with the following trail to a lush, emerald waterfall known as Crabtree Falls, whose trailhead is located at the entrance to Crabtree Meadows Campground at mile marker 339.5. This is one of those waterfalls in North Carolina that you cannot pass up:

Park at the visitors' center and embark on a 2.5-mile loop that you won't soon forget for more reasons than one.
Sam W/TripAdvisor
During the spring and summer, the trail is studded with wildflowers. The colors really pop against all of the greenery, and it makes for a breathtaking hike.
Follow the trail loop from start to finish, and eventually you'll drop down into a gorge where you'll find the base of the waterfall.
AllTrails
And then, on the way back to your vehicle, you'll climb back out of the same luscious and moss-covered gorge. There's no easy shortcut back to your car, though, so prepare for a workout.
But, we assure you, the 70-foot Crabtree Falls is worth every turn and every effort to get there.
anirudh reddy/Google Local
The water cascades ever so gracefully over a neatly-stacked cascade that stands seven stories high. Even better still: the waterfall and its surroundings are covered in emerald moss. The general dampness down in the gorge, along with the gentle spray of the waterfall, turn this destination hike into a tropical paradise similar to a rain forest.
At the base of the falls, a wooden footbridge crosses Big Crabtree Creek.
scott stallings/Google Local
The bridge and the gentle creek make exploring the big boulders and moss-covered smooth rocks at the base of the falls accessible. It's not the kind of waterfall that would be considered a "swimming hole", but you ought to manage to splash some water on your arms and legs to cool off before heading back out of the gorge.

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Along the way to Crabtree Falls, the hike doles out plenty of cool, shady trail.
Rebecca Dracup/AllTrails
This trail is rated both moderate and strenuous, depending upon which entrance you come through. The uphill part is shorter if you take the counter-clockwise path (which is considered the moderate route).
Prepare to feel the burn whichever way you travel on the loop.
Louis Van/Google Local
You should consider wearing good hiking boots to help combat the many roots and rocks on this well-traveled hiking path as well. Safety is important! Trust us... you don't want to stub your toe on an exposed root while wearing sandals. Nooooope.
Seasoned hikers will also appreciate busting out their hiking sticks for this trek.
Flower Child/Google Local
Casey Wells/AllTrails
And, even if your knees and ankles can withstand the strain of going down (and down) and then back up (and UP) the trail again, it's still nice to have added support for those occasions when you don't have a handrail to assist.
During spring, summer, and fall, you'll encounter fewer people on the trail (and at the falls) if you take this hike during the week. Don't forget to bring plenty of drinking water!
Irishheartbeat P/AllTrails
This is one emerald waterfall in North Carolina that isn't much of a secret and it can get busy on non-rainy weekends during the height of the tourist season. Bring a picnic for after the hike and hit one of the many roadside picnic tables on the Parkway.

The trailhead to Crabtree Falls is located at the entrance to the Crabtree Meadows Campground at Milepost 339.5 on Blue Ridge Parkway. The trail is accessible all year; do note that there are times when inclement weather may spur the closing of this section of the parkway for safety reasons, so make sure to check the campground page for info. Remember that dogs are allowed on the trail as long as they are kept on a leash, and parts of the trail require crossing small creeks that may have higher water just after rainfalls.

Ready to make the hike to this emerald waterfall in North Carolina? Learn more about the trail at this page on AllTrails! Waterfalls are found in abundance in the Tar Heel State. Explore eight easy-access falls in this previous article.

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Waterfalls in North Carolina Near Me

Tori Jane | September 03, 2021

What are the best hidden gems in North Carolina? 

When it comes to epic hidden gems, North Carolina is no slouch! The state is full of all kinds of awesome hidden places and experiences that you simply don’t know you’re missing out on. For example, did you know there’s a “fountain of youth” in Crumpler you can visit to this day? Oh, and if you’re a cat lover, North Carolina is home to the incredibly awesome (and totally purrfect) American Museum of the House Cat. You know you’ve got to check that out! The Lewisville Tunnel of Trees is another epic must-see that it seems only the locals are aware of, and in Durham, you can’t miss the incredible abandoned castle hiding deep in the woods. You read that right: abandoned. Castle. For more of our favorite hidden gems in North Carolina, take a look at this article.  

What are some must-see natural wonders in North Carolina?  

North Carolina is a nature lover’s dream come true; there’s just so much to do and see that it might seem overwhelming at first, but we promise it gets easier once you know where to start. You could start at, say, any of our amazing state and/or National Parks. Did you know there are 41 incredible places currently under the North Carolina parks system? There are! It might take you all year to explore them all, but we promise it’s worth it! There are plenty more, too: make sure to visit Looking Glass Falls, which is an incredible 60-foot waterfall nestled in the woods near Brevard. If waterfalls are your thing, you also can’t miss a trip to Dry Falls, which is a 65-foot waterfall that’s totally free to visit near Highlands.  

What are the most beautiful places in North Carolina? 

Well, now that’s hardly a fair question! North Carolina is a gorgeous state with plenty to love and discover. Some of our picks for the most beautiful places are spots like Lake Mattamuskeet, which is the largest natural lake in North Carolina and the site of a massive bird migration every year, which is super fun to observe when you’re already on the water. There are some unusual mountains around here, too, like Stone Mountain, which is a totally smooth granite mountain that reaches 600 feet into the sky. And, speaking of mountains, you can’t go wrong with a visit to North Carolina’s most famous one, a little ditty known as Pilot Mountain.  

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Crabtree Falls Campground, Blue Rdg Pkwy, Micaville, NC 28755, USA