As of February 2022, all trails to Catawba Falls have been fully renovated with a bridge crossing the Catawba River and a semi paved 1.5-mile path leading up to the falls themselves. The trail is free of charge and pet friendly. About a 25-minute drive from downtown Asheville, Catawba Falls is known as one of most popular trails in Western North Carolina. The elevation change is one hundred and fifty feet gain and at the end shows a cascade falls that are an estimated 100 feet in height. The trail has a relatively low difficulty level although it does require crossing a minor creek to get all the way to the finish. All ages in a healthy condition should have no issues in completing the hike. Water friendly shoes are recommended because of the last half mile stretch being right along the falls. It is also recommended that one should wear either a rain jacket or poncho regardless of the weather because of this. To complete this hike, it is a little over three miles in total. Many tourists also bring strollers, dog carriers and other larger travel items because of the ease in the hike. Although it is forbidden to hike all the way to the top of the falls, It is possible to reach about midway and provides beautiful views of the surrounding wilderness and trail head below. Binoculars, sunglasses, bug spray, and sunscreen are all recommended for the duration of a hike. The trail is part of the National Forest Service.

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