Douglas Falls Hike

An off-the-beaten path gem

Tucked away in the beautiful Big Ivy area of Pisgah National Forest, the 70-foot Douglas Falls offers the rare opportunity to walk behind a waterfall. The waterfall drops from an overhanging cliff and features an impressive rock wall in the background. 

Douglas Falls is generally a low flow waterfall (unless after a big rain) but it's a great setting to enjoy the beauty of the forest. It is said that the waterfall was named after Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, who was appointed to the court by Franklin D. Roosevelt and was an active environmentalist.

What to Expect

You can access the falls from the Craggy Gardens Visitor Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 364.6. This is a 6.6-mile strenuous hike on a rugged trail that is only recommended for experienced hikers. Note: The shorter access trail from Forest Service 74 near Barnardsville is no longer open. 

Directions

To access the Douglas Falls Trail (also known as the Carter Creek Falls Trails) from the Craggy Gardens Visitor Center, follow the Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MTS) south for 1 mile to the intersection with the Falls Trail. From here, it’s another 3 miles past several other cascades. There are maps available at the Visitor’s Center.

Know Before You Go

If you do choose to walk behind the waterfall, exercise extreme caution as the rocks may be more slippery than they appear.

GPS Coordinates 

35.728815, -82.374353