Posted in North Carolina Nature, Waterfalls April 16, 2022 by

Hike Straight To An Abandoned Dam On The Catawba Falls Trail In North Carolina

Hiking throughout the Tar Heel State doles out many rewards and one of them is finding hauntingly beautiful abandoned places along the trail. Come along with us as we explore the Catawba Falls Trail, which leads you straight to an abandoned dam in North Carolina as well as the ruins of an old building associated with the 1920s dam. The trail begins near Old Fort and is nearly 1.2-miles each way.

Wander into the forest and you'll soon pass by the old dam. In the hundred or so years since it was built, the dam has filled in considerably with sediment and rocks.
AllTrails/Amanda Chartier
Today, instead of the water getting stopped by the hand-made stone wall, it pours through fissures in the structure and over the top of the dam as the Catawba River moves on down the stream.
AllTrails/Kirk Larrabee
Also found along the trail is an abandoned old stone building associated with the 1920s power plant.
AllTrails/Nancy Christensen
As of now, it's open to foot exploration. But as with any old ruins, please be careful and watch your footing. And refrain from the temptation to climb on the structure.
Flickr/apascuito
The U.S. Forest Service has built two steel bridges along the Catawba Falls Trail making it much easier to traverse. But you still may need to cross a couple of small water crossings so consider wearing appropriate footwear.
Beyond the power plant ruins it's about another 1.2 miles to see the spectacular lower Catawba Falls.
AllTrails/katie scheller
If you've just come to explore the dam, then consider sticking with the trail for its entirety to see this 100-foot waterfall.
AllTrails/Julia Marie

You’ll be so glad you did! Learn more about the trail from our friends at AllTrails.com. Find out a little more about the old hydro power plant and this abandoned dam in North Carolina on the website for the U.S. Forest Service.

Address: Old Fort, NC 28762, USA