Crabtree Falls
- Height
- 60 ft
- Hike
- 2.5 mi round trip
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Not required
Crabtree Falls drops about 60 ft on Crabtree Creek in Mitchell County, North Carolina. Reaching it is a 2.5 mi hike round trip.
Closures and warnings
This is Blue Ridge Parkway Crabtree Falls in Mitchell County, NC (MP 339.5), not Crabtree Falls in Virginia. Wet rocks at the base are slippery; do not climb on the rocks. All Parkway waters are closed to swimming. As of September 28, 2026.
The falls
| Height | 60 ft |
|---|---|
| Flow note | Water cascades over a 60-foot rock cliff at the base of the loop trail. |
| Swimming allowed | No |
|---|
Access
| Hike | 2.5 mi round trip |
|---|---|
| Road | Paved |
| Parking | Crabtree Meadows / Crabtree Falls Recreation Area at Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 339.5 (when the Parkway segment is open). |
| Reservation or permit | Not required |
| Seasonal closure | Crabtree Falls Loop Trail closed on the NPS NC trails list after Hurricane Helene. Crabtree Falls Campground closed to all camping in 2026. Confirm Parkway road status before travel. |
| Managed by | National Park Service (Blue Ridge Parkway) |
| Note | Picnic area and campground are seasonal when open; both affected by Helene recovery. |
|---|
Rules
| Camping | Not allowed |
|---|
Common questions
Common questions
Is Crabtree Falls open?
This is Blue Ridge Parkway Crabtree Falls in Mitchell County, NC (MP 339.5), not Crabtree Falls in Virginia. Wet rocks at the base are slippery; do not climb on the rocks. All Parkway waters are closed to swimming. As of September 28, 2026. Seasonal closure: Crabtree Falls Loop Trail closed on the NPS NC trails list after Hurricane Helene. Crabtree Falls Campground closed to all camping in 2026. Confirm Parkway road status before travel.
How tall is Crabtree Falls?
Crabtree Falls drops about 60 ft.
Can you swim at Crabtree Falls?
No, swimming is not allowed at Crabtree Falls.
How long is the hike to Crabtree Falls?
It's a 2.5 mi hike round trip. The road in is paved. Parking: Crabtree Meadows / Crabtree Falls Recreation Area at Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 339.5 (when the Parkway segment is open).
Do you need a reservation for Crabtree Falls?
No reservation or permit is required.
When is Crabtree Falls flowing?
Water cascades over a 60-foot rock cliff at the base of the loop trail.
What are the rules at Crabtree Falls?
Camping is not allowed.
Nearby
Sources
5
- https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/crabtree-falls.htm (accessed September 28, 2026; backs waterfall.heightFt / hikeDistanceMi, hazardNote, waterfall.ephemeral false)
- https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/crabtree-falls-trail.htm (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.hikeDistanceBasis / waterfall.flowNote / waterbodyName, access.hikeDistanceMi alternate wording)
- https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/nc-trails.htm (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.seasonalClosure)
- https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/crabtree-falls-cg.htm (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.seasonalClosure / rules.camping)
- https://www.nps.gov/blri/learn/management/compendium-cfr-3-21.htm (accessed September 28, 2026; backs swimmerNotes.swimmingAllowed)
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