Updated July 2026
Douglas Falls
An approximately 60-foot waterfall in the Big Ivy area of Pisgah National Forest north of Asheville, where you can walk behind the falls. A short downhill path through old-growth forest reaches the base, though longer approaches exist from the Craggy Gardens area.
Before you go
Waterfalls are hazardous by nature — wet rock, cold water, and unstable edges — and flow varies enormously with season and recent rain. Trail figures here describe the route as documented, not conditions today. Check Pisgah National Forest (USFS) for closures and current conditions, and confirm land status before setting out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Douglas Falls drops about 60 feet. That makes it the 375th-tallest documented waterfall in this inventory, taller than roughly 48% of the falls listed here. Height comes from published land-manager and survey records, not from our own measurement.
The Douglas Falls Trail reaches it about 1.1 miles (out-and-back), rated easy. The nearest town is Barnardsville. That describes the route as documented, not conditions on the day — check with Pisgah National Forest (USFS) for closures and current conditions.
spring. Waterfall flow swings enormously with snowmelt and recent rain, so a fall that roars in spring can be a trickle by late summer.
More North Carolina waterfalls
- Bridal Veil Falls · 120 ft
- Catawba Falls · 100 ft
- Courthouse Falls · 45 ft
- Crabtree Falls · 70 ft
- Cullasaja Falls · 200 ft
- Daniel Ridge Falls · 150 ft
- Dill Falls · 50 ft
- Dry Falls · 75 ft
Sources
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