Crabtree Falls Trail is a 2.7 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Burnsville, North Carolina that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Note: As of 01/15/21, users have reported that the road to the trailhead is closed for the winter. Hikers must take the Blue Ridge Parkway to reach this trailhead. The parkway closes periodically for weather and maintenance. To check the status of the parkway, please see the National Park Service's website here: https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/conditions.htm The view is breathtaking and has many false summits. Good uphill, gets your heart going. If you are going during hunting season wear a bright color, there are many bear hunters in the area.
Parking is at the crabtree falls campground area or visitors center.
Blue Ridge Parkway headquarters is at Milepost 384 in Asheville, NC. The mailing address is 199 Hemphill Knob Road Asheville, NC 28803-8686. Reach park headquarters by phone at (828) 271 4779. The park information line at (828) 298 0398 has the most updated information on facilities and activities. Also Watauga County District U Tourism Development Authority (Watauga County TDA) 815 W. King Street, Suite 10 Boone, NC 28607 828-266-1345 Phone 828-266-1346 Fax wataugatda@gmail.com www.ExploreBooneArea.com Visitor Center: High Country Host Visitor Center 1700 Blowing Rock Road (Hwy 321) Boone, NC 28607 (828) 264-1299
Crabtree Falls is at Milepost 339.5 on the Blue Ridge Parkway (about 45 miles north of Asheville), about 15 miles north of Mount Mitchell and 24 miles south of Linville Falls. Turn into the northernmost entrance to the Crabtree Falls Recreation Area and bear right into the campground. Just past the campground contact station, turn right into the trailhead.
February 18, 2021My friend and I went on this hike even though we CHECKED THE WEBSITE for closures on the Blue Ridge Parkway before our hike. We decided to park at MM342 and hike up to the trailhead. This made for an 11-mile day through ice and snow. However, we had the falls to ourselves all day. If you decide to hike up in the snow and ice, I would recommend bringing proper footwear and spikes if you have them. It was totally worth the effort! Here is a video of our hike: https://youtu.be/TRhlV0dQUbs
January 17, 2021The trial is closed and be cautious while you drive up to the Crabtree falls view
January 17, 2021Road was closed in January(15/01/2021)
January 16, 2021Drove around the closed park of the parkway from Linville Gorge, got 2.6 miles away from the trailhead, just to find the parkway closed off again. It's snowing pretty good, but we're bummed af
January 3, 2021This hike was more beautiful than I thought it would be in December. We started early, we were the first car there and it was very icy but passable without poles. The view is breathtaking and many false summits. Good uphill, gets your heart going. If you are going during hunting season wear a bright color, there are many bear hunters in the area. When we were headed back to the car on the afternoon it was busy.
January 3, 2021Parkway open
January 2, 2021It was great and the waterfall was so beautiful
January 2, 2021It was a bit crowded at the falls but enough room that you didn’t have to be near everyone. A little muddy and wet so make sure you have good shoes. We did the loop instead of just going back the way we came and it was a bit difficult (straight uphill) but then again we might have went a little of course. Overall a great hike and a great drive to the site.
January 2, 2021Would agree with the posts stating that trail is not well marked when going CCW after crossing the creek. Where the trail hooks East towards the creek there is a logging road at a slightly higher elevation that could be mistaken for the trail, which would be a bad mistake. If the bridge is crowded can get some great views on the NW side of the creek.
January 2, 2021The falls were powerful and gorgeous after heavy rains yesterday. This also turned some of the trail into a creek so I recommend your waterproof shoes. When going counterclockwise, the assent is not well marked. Ignore the 'no hiking' marker after the falls and keep going, otherwise you'll end up confused and trying to slide up an unmarked trail, your fate in the hands of a few kind strangers who stayed behind to guide you up.
January 2, 2021December 18, 2020We went several weeks ago and it’s an awesome trail. Just hard enough to feel the burn, but easy enough to want to do it again. The falls are breathtaking and in a big enough area to not feel crowded.
December 6, 2020Beautiful drive out there but the road was closed to get to the trail
November 28, 2020Great hike, but very crowded Thanksgiving weekend. Only about 25% of them had masks on (yikes!) so we did our best to give them a wide berth while passing. But the trip up the trail is well worth the views along the way
November 28, 2020November 28, 2020November 28, 2020Recommend going counterclockwise, less traffic this way. Very wet trail
November 26, 2020Gorgeous waterfall!
