Crabtree Falls on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Crabtree Falls on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Crabtree Falls is a pretty 71 feet waterfall near milepost 340 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The trail to the falls starts at the Crabtree Meadow Campground. When we were there in early May 2011, the campground was closed and we had to park in the parking lot for the camp store (also closed). This added about 1/2 mile or so to the distance required to reach the falls.
Wild flowers on trail to Crabtree Falls
Dwarf Crested Iris on trail to Crabtree Falls
Wild flowers on trail to Crabtree Falls
Wildflower on trail to Crabtree Falls
White Trilliums on trail to Crabtree Falls
When you get to the trailhead, you have the option of a trail to the right or to the left. I recommend the trail to the right because it is slightly shorter. This trail to the falls is about 1 mile mostly downhill. The trail is fairly steep in some spots--but it's not too bad going downhill.
The trail is lined with rhododendron and mountain laurel. We were too early for these to be in bloom. There were several patches of pretty wildflowers that sort of made up for the lack of rhododendron blooms. We hope to get back here sometime when everything is in bloom.The trail doesn't follow the creek. It just takes you down to the falls.
Crabtree Falls, Blue Ridge Parkway
Crabtree Falls, Blue Ridge Parkway
Stairs up to return trail
When you reach the falls, you get a great view of a 70 feet waterfall. When we where there in early May, the waterfall was full of water and quite impressive.
When you're ready to leave, you can go back on the trail you took down ((about 1 mile uphill), or you can go up the stairs from the base of the falls and take a longer (1.4 or so miles) trail that more or less follows Big Crabtree Creek. The longer trail is easier and is the one I recommend. It also has the advantage of not covering the same ground as the hike in.
Crabtree Falls, Blue Ridge Parkway
Crabtree Falls, Blue Ridge Parkway
In the winter when the trees are bare, you can get a good look at Crabtree Falls from the top. In early May, the leaves on the trees made it impossible to see the falls.
You can find pictures of Crabtree Falls at other times of the year at North Carolina Waterfalls. This is a great site if you're looking for waterfalls in North Carolina.
Dogwood in bloom
Small falls on Big Crabtree Creek
Wild flowers on trail to Crabtree Falls