The Catawba River flows over 2 major waterfalls in a short distance.

Catawba Falls is part of the Pisgah National Forest.

[1] In 2005 and 2007, the Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina purchased 88 acres (360,000 m2) of land at the end of Catawba River Road for a trailhead.

In 2010, after Congressional approval the property was transferred to the US Forest Service and access to the falls was officially opened to the public.

[2] The Forest Service plans further improvements, including a foot bridge over a tricky crossing of the river along the trail and a new trail to the upper falls, bypassing a section considered steep and dangerous.