Stunning North Carolina Waterfall Hike Reopens After 2 Years

Finally. According to Channel 9, one of the most popular waterfalls in North Carolina has reopened. It's been closed for 2 long years. I know the agony of not being able to ride horses or hike on a favorite trail. It's more than an inconvenience, it makes ya sad. But it had closed for a good reason.

The National Forest Service made the decision after several rescues were necessary at Catawba Falls in McDowell County. There were even some deadly accidents. Improvements have been made and local hikers are ecstatic. Officials may even consider bussing people to Catawba Falls.

Now you can see the falls from the trailhead. There is also 30 stories of stairs that make the falls more accessible. There are now 530 steps connecting the lower falls to the upper falls. Not only are the falls more visible but so are the surrounding mountains. Sounds exactly like my kind of hike.

Virginia Jewell tells wsoctv.com, “I greatly appreciate it, “With two littles, it does feel a lot safer for us to go up. And we’ll be able to go to the top to see everything.” Some people were concerned the changes would ruin the beauty of the falls but most are saying they really like what they have seen.

The danger came when people had previously ventured to climb the mountainside to reach the upper falls. Crooked Creek Firefighter Randy Vess tells the television station he had responded to hundreds of rescue calls. He's seen many injuries and deaths over his 50 years. No doubt these improvements in access to the falls will greatly curtail the need for rescues.

Catawba Falls and the trails are in the Grandfather Ranger district. And the trails has been reopened since May 31, 2024. To learn more about Catawba Falls, just go here for more information.

At least once every year, I go on a trip with my girls. We've all been friends since we were teenagers, and now in our 50's, we're still close. I think girls trips are a must! My mom is 79 years old and still goes on a girls beach trip every year with her friends. Usually we go to the beach too, but after seeing these '12 Mountain Getaways to Take With Your Girlfriends This Fall' on Southern Living, we may need to schedule a mountain trip.

Most of the locations on this list aren't too far of a drive from the Charlotte area, and a few of the spots on the list are right here in North Carolina. All of the places look cozy and fun!

Close to Atlanta, Blue Ridge is a world away from the city. Located in the Chattahoochee National Forest, this town offers the rustic appeal. You can hike, fish, shot and take a train ride. And there's lots of yummy farm to table restaurants to enjoy.

It's been a few years, but I've been to Gatlinburg. It's grown lots in the last few years, but during the holidays it is gorgeous! There's excellent shopping there and lots of apple wine to taste. Definitely a fun long weekend place to go with a fun group.

I have passed Hendersonville numerous times on my way to Asheville but I haven't really explored the town. Apparently, Hendersonville is a big hard cider town. Giddy up! I'm in.

Greenville, South Carolina has grown a ton over the last few years. It's downtown area is awesome! There's tons of bars and great restaurants.  Check out museums, art galleries, and the theater at Heritage Green, an urban arts and cultural campus in the heart of downtown. Great place for a visit, with or without your friends. 

About a five or six hour drive from Charlotte, Mentone, Alabama is a place I've never heard of. And there's a good reason: it's a tiny town. It's population is less than 400 people. It was voted one of the South's Prettiest Towns in 2018. It's got lots of arts and crafts to check out and apparently the tomato pie at Wildflower's Cafe is amazing. 

Another town I'm unfamiliar with but the word is it's one of the places in the South to check out during the holidays. If you're not a fan of the Christmas lights, there's mountain scenery, a charming town square, local wineries, and historic gold mines. And if you and your friends like to shop, there are some cute places downtown. 

When I hear Bristol, I think of racing. But this town offers way more than that. Bristol is home to the "The Birthplace of Country Music". Although country isn't my favorite, my girlfriends love the music. And the town lies directly on the Virginia/Tennessee state line, so in the downtown area, you can be standing in two Southern states at once. Cool! 

We used to go to Blowing Rock often when I was a kid. Not too far of a drive if you live in the Charlotte area. Not only is there amazing scenery, there's also funky shops to check out. And I hear that Kilwins' Ice Cream is delightful! I'm a fan of a good farmer's market, and there are some good ones in the area! 

If you're looking to plan a flyaway long weekend with your friends, put Eureka Springs on the list. It's a city in the Ozark Mountains with lots of gorgeous lakes and springs. The town is known for its preserved Victorian buildings and mansions, so there's lots of beauty to see. If you and your friends are into outdoor activities, there's lots here.

White Sulphur Springs is a small town and is known for its annual Dandelion Festival. It's also known for The Greenbrier, where 27 of our country's presidents have stayed. Definitely a regal resort with stunning mountain views.  You can swim, play golf, and take a horse drawn carriage. 

This cute college town is just south of Lexington, Kentucky and it has a huge artisan community. If you're a fan of shopping hand-made, one of a kind items, this town is a place to see. There's lots of outdoor activities and historic restaurants to check out. I'm loving these hand-made pumpkins!

If you and your friends enjoy wine, this town is a must! There are over 40 scenic wineries in the area! While enjoying a glass or two, you can relax with beautiful views of the Shenandoah Valley. Add in great food and shopping will make for a fun long weekend! 

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