Cedar Rock Creek Falls is a waterfall off of Cat Gap Loop near John Rock in Pisgah National Forest. I’ve mentioned before that this is a great camping area, especially for young kids. You can set up camp in the woods near the Davidson River and still have access to the bathrooms and snack machines at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education & Fish Hatchery.
Using this area as a base camp, you can hike Cat Gap Loop, climb up John Rock, or visit Cedar Rock Creek Falls. There is an extensive trail network in the area, so more experienced hikers can piece together much longer hikes.
To access Cedar Rock Creek Falls, you take the trail just to the left of the Wildlife Center. Turn right onto Cat Gap Loop and follow the chain link fence for a while. You’ll cross a dirt road and the trail climbs a little. In a short while, you’ll pass a locked gate on your right that reads, “Authorized Personnel Only.”
Not long after that sign, you’ll see an unmarked trail on your left that goes down to the falls. The bark on a tree next to the trail is badly damaged (see the picture). This short footpath leads directly to the cascade.
The walk to and from the falls is maybe 1 mile from the parking lot. If you want to do more miles and see another waterfall, check out the 9.5-mile Cat Gap/Art Loeb/Butter Gap Loop.
I learned about this waterfall from the book, North Carolina Waterfalls.
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