Crabtree Falls Trail – 2024 Hiking Guide
Crabtree Falls is a 3-mile loop trail on the Blue Ridge Parkway with a breathtaking 70-foot waterfall.
This guide to Crabtree Falls Trail shares everything to know before your visit, from where to park to trail length and what to expect along the way.
Crabtree Falls is featured in our day trip from Asheville itinerary, along with time in Little Switzerland and a drive on the Parkway. We share details like where to get breakfast and the best picnic food in Asheville. Don’t miss it!

Crabtree Falls Quick Facts
Trailhead location: Blue Ridge Parkway MP 339
Trail length: 3-mile loop trail
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation change: ~600 ft
Distance from downtown Asheville: 50 miles
Drive time from downtown Asheville: 1 hr 15 min
Trail Condition: The trail is a well-traveled and maintained dirt trail. There are several areas with roots and rocks on the trail, bridges at water crossings and several stone stairs.
What You’ll Find In This Article
This guide shares everything to know about the Crabtree Falls Trail before your visit, including details on parking and information about the trail and waterfall.
About The Trail
Crabtree Falls is a 3-mile loop trail with a waterfall just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is north of Asheville past Craggy Gardens, Craggy Pinnacle and Mount Mitchell.

History Of Crabtree Falls
The land was acquired by the National Park Service in 1941 and opened to the public in 1948. A campground and a second picnic area with a restroom building opened across the Parkway in 1960.
The area was originally known as Crabtree Meadows, named for the abundance of crabapple trees. While these trees are no longer around, the Crabtree name remains! It was renamed Crabtree Falls in 2010 to highlight the waterfall feature.
For more history, check out the National Park Service.
What To Expect On The Trail
Crabtree Falls is a moderate trail, with several steep inclines, as well as roots and rocks along the way. It’s typically a bit muddy at points, especially after a lot of rain.
It’s an enjoyable trail with a lot of shade and plant life along the way. The real star of the show, though, is the picturesque 70-foot waterfall toward the middle of the loop. The waterfall is a great place to stop for a snack break.
While there aren’t any long-range views at Crabtree Falls, there are plenty along the way as you approach it on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Speaking of, see below for directions.
Directions To Crabtree Falls
The trailhead is located at MP 339 on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Little Switzerland, NC. There are three routes to get to the Crabtree Falls Trailhead from Asheville.
Through Black Mountain
Through Burnsville
Via the Blue Ridge Parkway from Asheville
The first two routes eventually take you to the Blue Ridge Parkway (the third route.) Crabtree Falls is a stop along the Parkway, after all. Be sure to appreciate the long-range views along the way!
Parking at the Crabtree Falls Trailhead
The Crabtree Falls trailhead is located at the Crabtree Falls Campground. Parking for hikers is available to the far left as you pull off of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
You will see an abandoned building at one end of the parking lot. This was formerly home to the Crabtree Falls Visitor Center. There are portable toilets available near this area in the parking lot.
To get to the trail, follow the signs for Crabtree Falls Trail at the opposite end of the parking lot from the Visitor Center building.
Crabtree Falls Hiking Trail
The trail to Crabtree Falls is one of the most popular waterfall hikes in Western NC. It is known for its picturesque 70-foot waterfall cascading down a sheer rock face with impressive water flow.
The Crabtree Falls Loop Trail is moderate in difficulty with a total length of 3 miles including the path through the campground. There are some steep sections of the trail and much of the hike has rock and roots in the trail.
Crabtree Falls Trailhead
Due to the location of the parking lot and the campground, the Crabtree Falls Trail has a trailhead at the parking lot as well as the official trailhead past the campground gate.
Follow signs for the Crabtree Falls trailhead at the end of the parking lot opposite the Visitor Center building. The path there is paved until you reach the amphitheater.
The official trailhead is located about 1/2 mile from the parking lot. You will see the trailhead signs with a map just past the campground driveway and entrance gate.
Crabtree Falls Trail
The Crabtree Falls Trail is a 3-mile loop trail that takes you to one of the most stunning waterfalls in Western North Carolina.
The first section of the trail is about 1/2 mile and passes through the Crabtree Falls Campground before reaching the loop. You will first pass an old amphitheater before hiking through a meadow full of wildflowers.
Just beyond the meadow, you will find the camping sites. Continue to follow the trail to the right to bypass the camping sites.
You will see a sign for Crabtree Falls just past the campground gate booth and driveway. At this point, you have reached the official trailhead.
The waterfall is about one mile ahead if you take the fork to the right and follow the trail loop in a counterclockwise fashion. The directions below are for this direction and include the full loop.
Directions To The Waterfall
You will follow the trail on a steady downhill ascent through dense forest. Along the way, there are several switchbacks and rocky areas to hike through. The trail also features several sets of stone steps to help navigate the slopes.
After about one mile you will reach the base of Crabtree Falls. At the falls you can cross the creek on a bridge and scramble around on rocks to get a great view and a photo op with the waterfall in the background.

From the base of the falls, the loop trail continues at the other side of the bridge. The trail is about 1.7 miles back to the parking lot.
There is a steep climb and several switchbacks before continuing along the trail next to Crabtree Creek which feeds the falls.
Note the arrow directing you to bear right before the tree trunk that is crossing the trail. If you stay straight through the tree trunk you will end up on a steep, muddy incline. Turn around!
There are several spots to access the creek and splash as you make your way back to the parking lot. While the section of the loop past the waterfall is longer, the uphill climb is more gradual.
You’ll see signs for the parking area once you near the end of the trail. The signs will have you cut through the campground to get back to the trail near the amphitheater. Once you’ve reached this point you’re just a few steps from the parking lot.
Know Before You Go
The waterfall area can get busy so be sure to hit the trail early to beat the crowds!
Use caution when exploring the waterfall area as rocks can be slick. Never try to climb to the top of the waterfall
Hiking CrabTree Falls WIth Kids
Speaking from experience, Crabtree Falls is kid-friendly but we have a few notes that may help!
First, it’s a long trail for kids so you’ll want to be yours are up for it. If you take young kids be prepared to carry them or let them ride in a backpack.
Second, there’s a lot of nature to see along the way. Easily distracted kids may take a bit longer to get to the waterfall and then back to the parking lot. Be prepared for what would typically be a 1.5-hour trail (including time at the waterfall) to take up to four hours with kids. It can easily fill your entire morning. Plan for it!
It’s definitely a great hike for bigger kids who have trail experience. The waterfall area is a magical experience regardless of age, but there’s something extra special about it for kids. There’s an area to splash downstream of the bridge.
Note: while the waterfall is a great place to take a break during the hike, be careful with kids climbing around the rocks as they can be slippery.
The trail to the waterfall is downhill so getting there is relatively easy with kids. The way back to the parking lot is a different story, though. It’s pretty much all uphill! If hiking with kids, be sure to bring snacks and water to stay fueled while on the trail.
If you are wondering whether it’s the right trail for your family, make sure you consider your kids’ hiking experience and the length of time your kids will want to walk. Plan on three hours if your kids aren’t the trail-running type. This allows for a few stops along the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Crabtree Falls Loop trail is approximately 3 miles including the trail through the campsite to the parking lot.
The Crabtree Falls Loop Trail is a great hike for children with experience hiking. Be prepared to carry younger kids as the trail is relatively long with some steep sections. Also, bring plenty of snacks because you’ll want to spend time at the waterfall.
Yes, dogs are allowed on the Crabtree Falls Trail. Dogs must be leashed at all times.
There is a parking lot for the Crabtree Falls Trail on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 339.9. Veer to the left when you turn off of the parkway. The parking lot is near the former Crabtree Falls Visitor Center.
Yes, there are portable restrooms at the Crabtree Falls Trail parking lot. The visitor center is closed and no longer available for restrooms.