The Crabtree Meadows Campground not only offers a perfect jumping off point to explore Linville Gorge and the Black Mountains, it also has a nice 3.0 mile loop to the beautiful Crabtree Falls. Although this loop has a few steep spots of stairs and switchbacks, this should be manageable for all types of hikers with a little determination.
You can choose to hike the full loop or take the shortest route to the waterfall and back. Once you reach the base of Crabtree Falls you’ll want to stay a while. The waterfall slides 20 feet before falling 50 feet over many small ledges into a narrow plunge pool hidden from the trail. The view is beautiful from the bridge, but it is easy to explore both sides of the waterfall. Since this hike is short you may consider combining it with another waterfall in the area like Linville Falls for a perfect day trip.
Parking Note: If the campground is open you can park at the hikers parking lot beside the trail head. This will make the hike only 2.5 miles.
- Mile 0.0 – From the restaurant/amphitheater parking lot start the trail at the beginning of the lot heading towards the amphitheater.
- Mile 0.2 – After you pass by the amphitheater the paths split towards Loop A and Loop B campgrounds. Stay right going towards the road.
- Mile 0.3 – Cross the campground road veering right towards the hikers parking lot. The Crabtree Falls Loop Trail officially begins at the end of the hikers parking lot.
- Mile 0.5 – T-junction with the loop trail. Turn right for the shorter trek to the waterfall. The trail starts heading downhill towards the Big Crabtree Creek Gorge.
- Mile 0.7 – Trail begins to switchback more steeply down the mountain sometimes following large sets of stairs.
-
Mile 1.2 – Reach a bridge over Big Crabtree Creek at the base of Crabtree Falls. This picturesque waterfall slides 20-30 feet before cascading 50 feet over many small ledges. On either side of the waterfall you can walk to the base where a narrow pool remains hidden from the bridge view.
Continue on the loop trail as it switchbacks high away from the waterfall.
- Mile 1.6 – The trail follows below a band of high rocks on its way to a perilous cliff overlook of the waterfall and gorge.
- Mile 2.0 – Bridge over Big Crabtree Creek. The trail briefly follows the creek on the left side before turning east following a tributary back to the campground.
- Mile 2.4 – The loop trail turns left. Continue straight towards the campground and cross the road near the bathrooms to meet up with the trail near the amphitheater.
- Mile 2.7 – Hike ends at the restaurant parking lot.
