Our Video

There's nothing quite like experiencing a place firsthand—and Old Fort, NC is one of those special small towns that feels even more charming when you’re walking its streets, visiting its shops, and exploring the nearby trails and waterfalls.

 During one of our recent visits, we spent a few days soaking in everything Old Fort and McDowell County has to offer: local restaurants, historic sites, beautiful hikes, and plenty of mountain scenery.

We captured the highlights of our trip in a video so you can get a real feel for what it’s like to visit. Check it out below—and hopefully it inspires you to plan your own adventure to Old Fort!

Where is Old Fort, NC?

Old Fort is located just off I-40 at exit 73 in Western North Carolina. It's one of the last exits before making the climb up Black Mountain when heading east towards Asheville, NC. Old Fort is about 2 hours from both Charlotte and Winston- Salem NC, less than 30 minutes from Asheville, NC, and only 10 minutes away from Black Mountain.

This quaint and historic railroad town is part of McDowell County, which includes Marion, Little Switerland, and the popular Lake James.

The main downtown area is so close to I-40 that it is visible when passing by the exit. Because of this, it makes for a wonderful small mountain town destination when travelling along I-40.  

Old Fort affects of Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Helene caused significant flooding and damage to Old Fort. The main down area from I-40 to the historic train station was flooded as Mill Creek overflowed its banks. The massive amounts of water caused homes and businesses to be destroyed. This included the main Destination McDowell Welcome Center and other surrounding buildings.   

When the waters receded, mud and sediment, over a foot deep, covered most of the historic downtown.

Restoration of basic services like power and water took over a week, and clean-up over 4-weeks.

While many businesses are still closed, many others are re-opening, as is the town of Old Fort itself, as of 11/1, welcoming visitors.

We had just visited Old Fort and spent over 4 days staying there, exploring the town and visiting businesses. We made many friends there during our visit, all of whom were affected by the flooding. In fact, the creek side rental cabin we stayed in was completely washed away and destroyed.

Like many small western NC towns affected by Helene, Old Fort suffered significant negative tourism impact during the peak fall season. We encourage you to visit and support the many wonderful and locally owned businesses!

Our Old Fort Guides

Things to do in Old Fort

One of the first things you'll want to do when visiting Old Fort is stop by the Destination McDowell welcome center to learn about current area events. You'll also find lots of brochures, maps, and information on things to do, local attractions and more. 

Pisgah National Forest surrounds Old Fort, and as a result is nearby to many outdoor activities, including the popular Catawba Falls. You'll find many other hiking trails, waterfalls, and even fantastic options for mountain biking.

If you prefer shopping and trying out great local food, Old Fort has that as well, with several great local restaurants, quaint shops, and art galleries. They even have a fantastic brewery and winery that serves up in house crafted beverages and food.

See 21+ Things to do in Old Fort Guide.

Where to Eat in Old Fort, NC

Old Fort may be a small mountain town, but its food scene is surprisingly good and frankly unexpected.

During our visit, we discovered a variety of restaurants offering great food at very reasonable prices. They even have a brewery with great food, and one of the best coffee shops in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Seeker Coffee.

See our picks for the Top Restaurants in Old Fort, NC Guide.

Where to Stay when visiting Old Fort

When visiting Old Fort, you have several different options for where to stay.

During our visit, we stayed at a creek side stilt cabin by Greybeard Rentals and absolutely loved it. We enjoyed a roomy cabin, right next to downtown Old Fort, and across the street from Eudo Wine. We even had a hot tub!

Sadly, the cabin we stayed in, pictured above, was washed away and destroyed by the flooding. But the owners have other similar cabins that will be available for rent in the near future.

Also available are Mountain Appalachian Inn and Inn on Mill Creek (currently closed until 2025).

If you prefer to camp, Catawba Falls Campground is a great option. We stayed here many years ago with our kids during our first visit to Catawba Falls and really enjoyed it. The campground is currently closed, but is working to reopen.

Andrews Geyser

Hurricane Helene Impact: The geyser and park sustained damage from the hurricane and is currently not operational.

When we first visited Old Fort on a camping trip with our kids, we visited Andrews Geyser. We've seen it many times since then as well during visits to the area.

The geyser is man-made and named for Colonel Alexander Boyd Andrews. He was responsible for the construction of the railroad between Old Fort and Asheville, North Carolina, in the late 19th century. 

The fountain itself was constructed in 1885 as a feature of the Roundrock Hotel and as a tribute to the 120 individuals who perished during the construction of the railroad line. It was a notable feature for those travelling on the railroad during that time, as the tracks when right alongside the geyser.

Today, Andrews Geyser and the surrounding land is an Old Fort public park and was moved some from its original location. When operating, Andrews Geyser shoots water continuously to a height of about 80 feet.

Andrews Geyser is located about 5 miles from downtown at 2111 Mill Creek Rd, Old Fort, NC 28762

See local art at Arrowhead Gallery

Unfortunately, Arrowhead Gallery was hit hard by the flooding. The building was significantly damaged, and much of the art and pottery was destroyed. The damage was so significant; they are moving to a new location and hoping to re-open in December 2024. 

Featured here are photos of the gallery as it was during our visit, just before the flooding. 

Arrowhead Gallery is a wonderful art gallery that was located directly across the street from the welcome center. The gallery featured over 40 unique artists and many mediums of art, including pottery, jewelry, paintings, books, much more.   

Arrowhead Gallery is also a working art studio where you can see artists at work and take art classes and workshops as well.

We really enjoyed talking to the staff and browsing all the different and unique art created by local McDowell county artists.  

Here are some photos of just a few of the art items we really enjoyed seeing:

Visit Catawba Falls

Update: Catawba Falls is now open as of January 2025 

The most popular attraction in Old Fort is Catawba Falls. The falls recently reopened in May 2024 after being closed for an extending period where significant upgrades were completed to make it easier and safer to see.

Fortunately, the significant flooding in Old Fort, because of Hurricane Helene, did only minor damage to the new walkways, decking and viewing platforms put in place.

The waterfall remains CLOSED at this time, however they are hopeful it will re-open early in 2025.

Catawba Falls is two different waterfalls, upper and lower falls, with lower falls being the largest and most stunning.   But both of them are gorgeous.   

Lower Catawba Falls is 250 feet, one of the most beautiful and photogenic waterfalls in the Blue Ridge Mountains.   

New trail improvements add accessibility and safety for this popular waterfall. Improvements include:

• New trail markers
• Stairs and boardwalks for viewing and access
• A 60-foot observation tower for better viewing and safer access to the upper falls.

Catawba Falls is definitely one of the most beautiful waterfall in the Blue Ridge Mountains and is just minutes off I-40 at the Old Fort exit. Definitely worth the hike and a stop when visiting the area.

See our guide to Catawba Falls for details!

Enjoy some great local food

Old Fort NC has several wonderful locally owned restaurants we enjoyed during our visit. Fortunately, none of them were significantly damaged by the flooding.

For breakfast, be sure to stop by Seeker Coffee on Main Street. One of the very best coffee shops we've been to in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Follow that with a short drive up the road to Gogos Cinnamon Rolls and savor one of their hot cinnamon rolls. They even have different varieties like chocolate, creamsicle, peanut butter, maple bacon, and more! Absolutely amazing! Your taste buds can thank us later. Super friendly owners as well.

For a more down home and hearty breakfast, be sure to stop by The Davis Country Store and Cafe, where you'll find made from scratch biscuits, croissant sandwiches, and other hot breakfast options.

For lunch or dinner, we really enjoyed the sandwiches at 27 Main. We tried both their Cold Cut and Spicy Italian subs with chips. Both are delicious. They also serve pizza and cheese sticks as well.

The Davis Country store also serves lunch as well, with various sandwich and salad options.

The best dinner options are found in Marion NC, about 20 minutes away.

See our guide to the Top Restaurants in Old Fort NC Guide for details

Craft Beer at Old Fort Breweries

Old Fort is home to two different breweries, Hillman's Brewery and Whaley Farm Brewery.

Both breweries suffered significant damage during the Hurricane Helene flooding, with Whaley Farm Brewery getting the worst of it. Hillman's has reopened, but the future of Whaley Farm Brewery is unknown. They are working to clean up and hopefully restore the brewery.

Hillman's Brewery re-opened on 10/30 after sustaining significant damage as well.

During our visit to Old Fort NC, just days before the Hurricane hit, we enjoyed the cold local brews and beer at both breweries.

Hillman Beer

Hillman's offers 32,000 feet of indoor and outdoor seating, with outdoor seating being creek side to Mill Creek. Their building is in an old industrial building and has a unique look and vibe. Hillman's offers 32 taps offering a number of different beers from light to strong. 

We had the Oktoberfest, an Eurpean Amber Lager which offered a rich malty aroma, with a touch of sweetness, but not overly much. Overall, an excellent beer. We also enjoyed their food as well, which is exceptional. We rarely expect much from a brewery when it comes to food, but we found the delicious options at Hillman Beer surprisingly good.

We started with a soft pretzel and then ordered the roasted turkey salad wrap and kale salad (we're healthy eaters).  Again, everything was really good and fresh tasting. We really enjoyed both.  

Hillman's is an excellent brewery and restaurant, that delivers a cool atmosphere, great service, and both indoor and outdoor seating. One of our favorite places during our visit!

Whaley Farm Brewery

Currently Closed due to significant flood damage from Hurricane Helene. We're hoping they can recover and reopen soon.

Whaley Farm Brewery is located on the opposite side of Mill Creek from Hillman's, and also offers some excellent local craft beer. Their speciality is Appalachian farm beers, English pub ales, and continental lagers. What makes them unique is they use Whaley Farm grown locally sourced herbs, flowers, spices, and fruits. Combined, they deliver some unique and excellent tasting beers.

I'm (Larry), not a fan of bitter beers or IPAs, and frankly a sucker for a good amber ale. I tried their Altbier which is a german style Amber Ale which was excellent and had some great spicy undertones, and not too sweet.

We really enjoyed the casual and mainly outdoor vibe at Whaley Farm Brewery. Great beer and we highly recommend you try them once they re-open.

Enjoy a wine tasting at Euda Winery

3/3/2025 - Reopening March 8th after being closed due to impact from Hurricane Helene

We really enjoy visiting various vineyards and wineries here in the Blue Ridge Mountains. During our trip planning, we put Euda Winery on our short list to visit. Turns out, Euda Winery was literally across the street from our cabin rental!

Euda Winery offers various white and red wines, all made onsite and in small batches. The winery itself is open and offers both indoor and outdoor seating. Wines offered include: Sauvingnon Blanc, Rose, Traminette, Carbonic, and Cabernet Sauvignon. They often have limited edition wines as well.

Jenn really enjoyed the Traminette, while I preferred their Cabernet Sauvignon. Their wines are definitely unique, and we found they don't have the flavor and taste you would expect. BUT, that's part of what we really enjoyed about them.

During our first visit, we tried their two different tastings, one with all whites, and the other with mostly reds. This gave us a chance to determine our favorites, and we enjoyed glasses of these during our other visits.

We hung out here a couple of nights during our visit to Old Fort and McDowell County. We enjoyed talking to the staff and met many locals here as well.  

The winery offers a few local snacks for purchase as well, like meat sticks, goat cheese, and pimento cheese, and you can also bring your own food.

Euda Winery is a great low-key place to just sit, relax, chat, and enjoy some good wine after a busy day out exploring all that McDowell County has to offer.

Take a short hike to Toms Creek Falls!

About 30 minutes from Old Fort NC, and just minutes of Highway 221, is the short 1 mile round-trip hike out to Tom Creek Falls. Becuase of its ease of access, short distance, and easy to moderate difficulty, this is the perfect trail for families and those that find longer and more strenuous hikes difficult.

Toms Creek Falls itself is about 80 feet, and features multiple cascades. The falls are easily viewable from the viewing platform. 

The waterfall isn't stunning, but still very nice, especially given the short and easy hike. Well worth the visit, and a great way to get the kids outdoors and let them burn off some energy.

See our Toms Creek Falls Waterfall Guide for details

Mountain Biking

While we definitely prefer to travel trails on our feet vs a mountain biking, Old Fort, NC has become a go-to destination for mountain biking enthusiasts.

Old Fort offers an attractive mix of thrilling trails, breathtaking scenery, and a welcoming biking community.

Old Fort has recently become a popular destination for mountain bikers because of the growing professionally designed trail network being developed in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service and community partners.

The G5 Trail Collective, a non-profit effort from Camp Grier, is responsible for 42 miles of new trails around Old Fort. Combining hiking, biking, and equestrian trails with the existing system will create a 70-mile trail network in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Whether you're an experienced mountain biker or beginner looking to learn and practice your skills, you'll find a trail around Old Fort, NC that meets your needs. 

Just a few of the many different mountain biking trails include:

• Kitsuma Trail: A favorite among advanced riders, Kitsuma features steep climbs and exhilarating descents, all surrounded by lush forest and stunning mountain views. The downhill sections are especially legendary for their fast and flowy nature.
• Point Lookout Trail: Enjoy scenic views of the Pisgah National Forest and railroad tunnels on the Point Lookout Trail, a 3.6-mile paved path perfect for hikers and bikers, featuring a challenging 900-foot elevation gain and culminating in breathtaking vistas at Point Lookout.
  Depending on which end of the trail you park and begin your adventure the entire path will be either uphill or downhill so choose wisely!
• Gateway Trails: A newly developed trail system designed with all levels in mind. These trails provide a fun and approachable experience for families and beginners, while still offering features that more experienced riders can enjoy.

Besides fantastic trails, Old Fort offers support and services for mountain bikers as well, including the Old Fort Bike Shop (temporarily closed due to Hurricane Helene) for bikes, accessories and repairs and transportation services from Mountain Top Shuttles.

Learn more about Mountain Biking in Old Fort, NC

Explore the Mountain Gateway Museum

Currently closed due to damage from Hurricane Helene - We'll update this guide once it's open!

The Mountain Gateway Museum is a regional history museum dedicated to preserving and sharing the cultural and natural heritage of the Appalachian Mountains. 

The Museum is right in downtown Old Fort and showcases the area's history, including its indigenous roots, early European settlers, and the development of the mountain communities over the centuries.

Unfortunately, the museum sustained significant damage from Hurricane Helene. The museum will re-open, but while serving the same purpose, the exhibits and facilities will be very different.

We will revisit this wonderful museum once it re-opens to update you with new information and photos!

Visit the Historic Railroad Station

Old Fort, NC has strong ties to the Western North Carolina Railroad, and later the Southern Railroad. Old Fort was the stopping point for a west bound line until 1869. The mountains presented a big challenge for the railroad. But the goal was to reach Asheville.

Old Fort was the last stop before the climb up to Asheville and through the 7 tunnels. The climb used a series of loops, often called the Old Fort Loops. 

The last passenger train stopped at Old Fort in 1975. The station was renovated in 2005 and opened as a railroad museum. Unfortunately, the museum is currently closed, but the town is having active discussions about re-opening it.

You can explore outside the station and see the old Caboose next to it. If you're lucky, a modern freight train will come through while visiting.  

Go Shopping

Old Fort has a number of shopping options, from art galleries to shops and boutiques.  

If you enjoy local art, visit Arrowhead Art Gallery or Nanu Gallery. 

For locally sourced and created merchandise, be sure to visit The Davis Country Store and Cafe. Their store is full of unique items and crafts you're bound to enjoy.

A great place to find local treasures, home goods and antiques with a beautiful and fun atmosphere is The Common Pine. We really enjoyed browsing this lovely store and finding all of the cute items and little hidden gems. 

For the outdoorsy types like us, be sure to visit the Old Fort Bike Shop for bikes, bike parts, accessories and repairs. They even rent bikes so you can explore the different bike trails in the Old Fort area. 

If Kayaking is your thing, be sure to check out Waterways Kayaks. They sell many different sized kayaks and brand along with kayaking accessories as well!

See the Wolfe Angel at the Old Fort Cemetary

Old Fort is home to many hidden treasures, but few are as mysterious as the Wolfe Angel, found in the historic Old Fort Cemetery off North Cemetery Road.  

We were told of the statue while visiting one of the local restaurants and stores. With our curiosity up, we found the Cemetary and the statue.  

This beautiful and detailed marble statue has an ethereal presence and has been a source of fascination for visitors and locals alike for generations.

While some locals we spoke with believed this particular Angel is from author Thomas Wolfe's famous novel "Look Homeward, Angel", it is not. However, there is a connection.

The angel from the novel can be found in Hendersonville, NC, but they are both from Thomas Wolfe's father, a Dutch stone carver. But just how this particular angel ended up in Old Fort, is an interesting story, and one that locals enjoy sharing.

In the late 1900s, Samual McCanless was a local photographer. The story claims that Wolfe's father was playing poker with McCanless and some friends. McCanless cleaned Wolfe out. Unable to pay, Wolfe offered the statue instead, and a deal was made.

The statue was later placed in the Cemetary on the grave of McCanless' first wife Hattie.

Every good story has to have a twist, right? Here's this twist.

McCanless married again, to Geneva, Hattie's sister. Geneva always felt that McCanless loved Hattie more, and the statue was a point of contention between the two.

In the ultimate twist of irony, both sisters and McCanless are buried in the grave now marked by the Wolfe Angel.

Knowing the story behind this statue makes the downward gaze of the angel, its sad look, and even its wilted flowers make more sense.

Be sure to visit the statue if you have time, it really is beautiful.

Where is Tom's Creek Falls?

Tom's Creek Falls is located between Marion and Little Switzerland, NC in McDowell County. This 80' tall multiple cascade waterfall is not only beautiful, but easy to get to as well. It is located off a 1.2 mile drive from US 221, north of Marion, and the trail is an easy 1-mile round-trip hike.   

There is even an observation deck that provides excellent views of the falls, although from a distance.

The waterfall and trail are perfect for families looking to get the kids out to burn off a little energy, and also great for those that like to hike, but can't for long distances.

To reach Tom's Creek Falls, just turn left on Huskins Branch Road off US 221 North of Marion. Drive 1.2 miles to the trailhead and parking area on the right.

The trailhead is on the right side of the parking lot, behind the large trail information sign. The parking area is small, but it's not too busy. There is a gravel/service road shortly before the parking area. This is not the trailhead, so don't let it fool you like it did us.

Hiking to Tom's Creek Falls

The hike is an easy stroll through the woods with very little elevation change, except towards the very end, where you will need to hike up a few short switchbacks to the observation deck.

The hike follows the Tom's Creek the whole way up to the base of the falls.   

During the first portion of the hike, you'll pass by a few tent campsites on your left. We took a few minutes to explore the creek here. Nothing super photogenic, but it is peaceful.

The trail wonders through the forest, and crosses a bridge on the way to fall. Along the way, there are some side trails that lead down to the creek. Again, nothing is very photogenic, but there are some nice smaller cascades to explore.

There are some benches along the way for resting and where you can just sit and enjoy the surrounding woods and sounds of the creek.

You'll soon reach the switchbacks, where you'll know you're close to the falls. You can actually hear them at this point.

Be sure to begin looking at the ground as you walk up the switchbacks, and especially at the short trail at the top to the observation deck. Why? You'll begin to notice lots of sparking and shiny rocks on and all around the trail.

The area was once a Mica mine, and lots of Mica sparkles on the trail as you walk along it. Mica is flat natural mineral that is platelike and used for many purposes, including semi-conductors, cosmetics, automobiles, and paints and pigments.

Tom's Creek Falls and the Observation Deck

Ahead, you'll see the observation deck and get your first glimpse of this gorgeous 80' waterfall, with multi-cascades.

Lots of green moss covers the rocks at Tom's Creek Falls because of the amount of sun the waterfall receives. This makes for some fun photo opportunities and gives the waterfall a unique look as well.

The observation deck provides a nice and safe, but distant, view of the waterfall. Most people hike to the deck, enjoy the falls, and return to the parking area.

BUT, if you like to get more up close and personal with waterfalls like we do, head back down the trail, and look for a small side trail heading to the left and up. Follow this trail up and over the large boulder, and down the pool at the base of the Tom's Creek Falls.

The small pool is fun for kids to play in and explore, and being at the base provides some pleasant views of the waterfall to enjoy and photograph.

Tom's Creek Falls is definitely worth the short hike when you're in the Marion, NC area!

27 Main - Now Closed

5/18/2026 Update: 27 Main has sold its building and is now closed. Something new is opening to replace it, and we'll update this guide once we know more. We hate to see them go as they served up some good food!

Located in the hear of downtown Old Fort, right off of main street, 27 Main offers great food and service at a reasonable price.

27 Main offers a fantastic mix of specials, sandwiches and pizza. 

The restaurant delivers a cool vibe, with a rustic yet contemporary décor, with exposed brick walls, wooden tables, and soft lighting creating a relaxed and casual atmosphere. The friendly staff adds to the experience, making you feel like you're visiting an old friend’s home rather than just another restaurant.

During our recent visit to Old Fort, NC, we stopped in to grab a quick lunch. Jenn ordered the Italian sub with chips, and I (Larry) ordered the Cold Cut sandwich, also with chips. The couple next to us were munching away on the cheese sticks, so we ordered those as well.

Our food came out quickly and was great. The Italian sandwich wasn't what you would normally expect though, as it only came with ham and not the more traditional meats we expected. The cheese sticks/bread were hot and delicious with plenty of cheese and served with marinara sauce on the side.

Some other customers in the restaurant ordered pizza, which smelled and looked delicious. We're definitely trying it next time we visit. We heard great reviews about it from locals we spoke to.

For those more familiar with Old Fort NC, you might know 27 Main better as Whistle Stop Pizza and Subs. They sold to new owners, rebranded and remodelled earlier in 2024. While the look is more modern and different, the food remains delicious.

27 Main is a great spot for lunch or dinner, especially if you're exploring the various shops and galleries in downtown Old Fort.

Black Beary's Cafe

Unfortunately, we didn't have time to eat at Black Beary's Cafe like we had planned, but we heard some excellent feedback from several locals who enjoy eating there, especially their ice cream. 

Located in the heart of Old Fort, NC, Black Beary's Cafe is a favorite spot for lunch and dinner, offering a relaxed, no-frills atmosphere and a menu packed with classic Southern comfort food.

Per locals we spoke with, Black Beary's Cafe is a cozy and down-to-earth spot known for its delicious, home-style cooking and ice-cream

The Chicken Fried Steak is a local favorite, tender and crispy, served with two sides and bread for a more hearty meal. 

They also offer a variety of sandwiches and hamburgers, including the BLT and Roast Beef Sandwich, Bacon Swiss Burger, Pimento Cheese burger, and many others.

You can follow up your meal up with a delicious dessert, with ice cream in a variety of flavors being a local favorite. They also have sundaes, banana splits, shakes, and floats. 

With its friendly atmosphere and tasty, no-frills fare, Black Beary’s Cafe is a must-visit when you're in Old Fort. We look forward to trying them on our next visit!

Davis Country Store & Cafe

For a real local experience, and some fantastic home cooking, grab breakfast or lunch at the Davis Country Store and Cafe.

One morning during our visit, we stopped by for breakfast as they opened. The friendly staff and the wonderful aromas of fresh, home-cooked breakfast items immediately greeted us.

Walking into the restaurant feels like stepping back in time. The rustic charm of the store and cafe, with its vintage decor and shelves stocked with local goods, really sets the tone. The restaurant and store are in a charming old home that just screams southern hospitality and goodness.

The breakfast menu features standard breakfast fare and many types of homemade biscuit sandwiches. 

We enjoyed their biscuits and gravy and a bacon, egg and cheese biscuit. The food doesn’t disappoint. 

The food is served, even when dining in, in to go containers, but don't let that fool you, the food is excellent. As southerns, we know biscuits, and these were not only hot and fresh, but on point, and cooked to perfection.

The hot and made to order lattes were also good, hot, and with lots of creamy froth.

We both really enjoyed the food and talking with the owners who are native to the area. Their family goes back for generations.

If you’re exploring Old Fort, be sure to stop by Davis Country Store & Cafe. Whether you’re craving a hearty breakfast, a satisfying lunch, or a quick snack, this charming spot delivers a genuine taste of Old Fort’s hospitality and heritage with a smile.

Gogos Cinnamon Rolls and Coffee

One of our top spots in Old Fort was Gogos Cinnamon Rolls and Coffee. As soon as you step through the door, the enticing aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls draws you in, making it nearly impossible to resist.

Gogos is a cozy little cafe style place that specializes in creating what might just be the best cinnamon rolls we’ve ever tasted—and trust us, we've had some fantastic fresh baked cinnamon rolls over the years.

We went in expecting cinnamon rolls, as the name would imply. What we didn't expect was the variety! Gogos not only has your standard cinnamon roll, but lots of variations as well, including chocolate, maple bacon, caramel pecan, orange creamsicle, and more!

Even better? They also offer homemade Oatmeal Cream Pies and Fudge Rounds. Yes, the ones by Little Debbie, but these are made in-house from scratch, and absolutely fantastic.

After agonizing over which rolls to take with us, we ended up going with a chocolate cinnamon bun, a maple bacon cinnamon bun, a oatmeal cream pie, and a fudge round. To fully share our experience with you, we had to properly sample everything, right?

The cinnamon rolls at Gogos are a perfect blend of soft, fluffy dough and gooey, cinnamon-sugar filling, topped with just the right amount of icing. Everything was just beyond delicious.

We spent some time talking with the owners as well, who are super friendly folks. They are a pastor and wife of a local church. They were expecting a bus load of middle-schoolers soon, so we bailed out and enjoyed our fresh baked goodness on the road.

The welcoming atmosphere and friendly staff make Gogos the perfect place to start your day or enjoy a mid-morning treat. Be sure to arrive early, as these cinnamon rolls are popular and tend to sell out quickly.

When visiting Old Fort, Gogos Cinnamon Rolls is an absolute must-visit—your taste buds will thank you!

Hillman Beer

We'll be honest, we aren't generally impressed with the food at most breweries. The food is mainly just simple bar type food, prepared with little effort. We get it; the focus is on the drinks.   

We have been seeing a recent trend, though, where breweries are stepping up their game regarding food offerings and quality. Hillman Beer is an exemplary example of this. Not only is the beer cold and tasty, but the food is fantastic. To be honest, something we would have expected to see at a nice restaurant, not a brewery.

Hillman Beer in downtown Old Fort, NC is a great spot to unwind with fantastic food, great beer, and honestly a super nice creek side atmosphere. They have a full menu of beer selections, and delicious food that pairs perfectly with their in-house brews.

As we mentioned, the food at Hillman Beer goes far beyond and above the typical pub/brewery fare. Most of the items on their menu use locally sourced ingredients and are made to order (i.e. not frozen).  

When you arrive, you'll place your food and beverage order at the bar and your given a number. Someone will bring you your food.

We spent some time reviewing the menu, and we suggest you do the same. Just grab one, and step aside so you can fully look at everything they offer. The staff member working the bar was super helpful and made a few recommendations for us.

We ended up going with the Altbier and a glass of wine for drinks. For food, we ordered the soft pretzels, the Kale Salad and Roasted Turkey Salad wrap. 

We're pretty healthy eaters, but they also offer many other options, including different burgers, sandwiches, and specials.

We picked the outdoor side of the bar, that was creek side. We enjoyed our beverages, and the food arrived within a few minutes. Very fresh, and tasty. The beer cheese served with the hot pretzels was excellent.

Besides the great food and beer, what really sets Hillman Beer apart is its inviting, open atmosphere. They have a done a fantastic job creating and open and modern atmosphere that really blends together the indoor and outdoor seating areas.

Whether you’re a craft beer enthusiast or simply looking for a delicious meal in a chill setting, Hillman Beer is a must-visit. Their combination of exceptional food, excellent beer, and a charming atmosphere makes it a standout in Old Fort’s dining scene.

Seeker Coffee

We love a warm, inviting, comfy coffee shop that serves great coffee. Finding shops with this unique combination is rare for us on our mountain adventures. We found one in Old Fort, Seeker Coffee.

This charming coffee shop serves up some of the best brews we've had anywhere in the Blue Ridge Mountains, making it the perfect place to kick back, recharge and enjoy an amazing craft made coffee, expresso or latte.

Nathan, the owner, takes pride in sourcing high-quality and locally roasted beans, to create a variety of flavorful drinks. Whether you prefer a smooth cappuccino, a regular coffee, or an indulgent flavored latte, you’ll find the right cup for you. Their baristas are skilled and passionate, ensuring that every drink is crafted with care and for your enjoyment.  

The vibe at Seeker Coffee offers "a chill" and inviting atmosphere that makes it easy to linger. They have comfortable seating, warm lighting, and a welcoming staff. It’s a great spot to catch up with friends, dive into a good book, enjoy some quiet time with your coffee, or pull out the laptop and get some work done.

They also offer some delicious baked pastries to complement your favorite beverage as well. 

Whether you’re stopping by for your morning caffeine fix or spending a leisurely afternoon, Seeker Coffee is a great coffee shop in Old Fort, NC. One of our personal favorites!

Parking at Catawba Falls Trailhead

The Catawba Falls trailhead is about 10 minutes from downtown Old Fort NC, on the south side of I-40. You'll follow Catawba River Road until it ends in the main parking lot, where you'll find the trailhead and some public restrooms.

While the parking lot is large, on a busy weekend day, it's challenging to find a parking spot. We always recommend hiking on a weekday if possible, and arriving early.

The photo above is from early morning. We thought we were pretty early, but as you can see, the parking area was already filling up.

Hiking to Catawba Falls

We hiked to Catawba Falls many years ago, while camping with our kids when they were young.  

Since then, and rather recently, the Catawba Falls Trail was updated. At the falls, decking and stairs have been built to make viewing the falls and accessing them better and safer.

This was our first time back in many years, and since the trail improvements were made.

We visited Catawba Falls as part of a long weekend spent in Old Fort, NC and McDowell County during September 2024, literally days before the flooding from Hurricane Helene hit and did significant damage to the area.

You'll find the trailhead to Catawba Falls at the end of the parking area, and to the right of the restrooms. 

The hike begins through a forest, and alongside the Catawba River. Trees cover the trail, providing a nice shady hike nearly the entire way to the base of Catawba Falls.

The hike itself is 1.1 miles out to the base of Catawba Falls. The hike is easy to moderate, with only minor elevation changes. You'll be alongside the Catawba River most of the way, and you'll find lots of side trail to the river to explore.

We really enjoyed exploring the side trails and found some great photo opportunities just off the trail a little.

The beautiful sounds of the rushing water from the river will also enhance your enjoyment of the hike. The trail is wide and very well maintained, making it a nice, relaxing and pleasant hike.

Shortly after beginning the hike, you'll cross a large foot-bridge, with an old building to the left. These are some remanents of the old 1920s hydropower dam which served power for the town of Old Fort. You'll pass by the old dam further down the trail.

This is one of a few foot bridges you'll cross on your way to the base of the falls.

Before you begin the gradual incline up to Catawba Falls, you'll pass by a small but beautiful waterfall. If you look closely, you'll realize the falls are in fact not natural and they are falling over an old stone and concrete wall that is overgrown with vegetation. This is the old dam.

After the dam, the trail climbs up a bit more steeply and you'll know you're close to reaching Catawba Falls itself.

You'll hear Catawba Falls well before you see it. You'll also see the new stairs leading up to the newly constructed wood decking and stairs that allow you to view the falls and make the climb up to the trail to Upper Catawba Falls.

Catawba Falls

Catawba Falls itself is 100' tall, gently cascading waterfall. The entire fall is difficult to view from the base, but regardless, even from the base, the falls are gorgeous and very photogenic.

There are steps leading down to the base of the falls where you can take photos, sit and enjoy the views, or wade in the cool and crisp waters.

In the past, this is where most ended their hike. The climb up to the upper falls was steep, dangerous and involved needing to use ropes.

With the new decking and stairs, everyone can safely walk up and not only enjoy marvellous views of the entire Catawba Falls, but see Upper Catawba Falls as well.

The climb up isn't easy though. It's 580 steps and 0.3 miles to the upper falls trail. It's the equivalent of climbing a 30-story building and it is strenuous. We consider ourselves in pretty good shape, and by the time we climbed up and back down, our legs and knees were shot.

On your way up, you'll climb the new metal 60-foot tall observation tower, which delivers a magnificent view of the falls and surrounding mountains. But warning, if you are afraid of heights, skip this. The stairs are metal grates that you can see through all the way to the bottom.

Catawba Falls (Upper)

After reaching the top of the stairs (be sure to hold your hands in the air and sing the Rocky theme), you'll follow a narrow dirt trail out to the base of Upper Catawba Falls.

There are two ways to get to it. Take the second one, which has a nice wooden deck to view the falls.

While Catawba Falls is a gently cascading waterfall, made up of many smaller cascades. Upper falls is a single large, 80-foot tall plunge into a deep pool at the base.

This was our first time hiking up to Upper Catawba Falls, and it is equally beautiful as the main Catawba Falls, just different. This is a more powerful and louder waterfall and also very photogenic.

Hiking Back to the Parking Area

After visiting Upper Catawba Falls, you can return the way you came OR continue on the loop trail.

If you return the way you came, the complete hike is a 3-mile round-trip hike. Following the loop trail makes for a 4-mile round-trip hike.

Because of time constraints, and frankly, us spending too much time exploring side trails; we elected to go the shorter route and hike back the way we came.

Recent Closure History for Catawba Falls

Catawba Falls closed in 2022 for a scheduled two-year trail improvement project. The focus of the improvements were to improve safety and accessibility.   The changes were definitely necessary, given the popularity of the falls, at more than 10,000 visitors per week during peak season.  

The also beautiful upper Catawba Falls area was only accessible by climbing rocks or using ropes places by visitors. Both extremely unsafe options.

Catawba Falls reopened to the public on May 31, 2024, with lots of new changes, including:

• New wooden Stairs: Upper Falls is now accessible by 580 stairs, designed for safer access and provides enhanced views of Lower Catawba Falls.
• Observation Tower: A 60-foot metal tower was installed, that offers panoramic views of the upper falls and surrounding mountains. 
• New Trails: The Catawba Falls Ridge Trail and a Wildflower Trail were added.
• Overlooks: Several overlook platforms were built along the trail 

Catawba Falls closed again shortly after its reopening because of damage from Hurricane Helene. Several washouts, slides, and fallen trees damaged the trail out to the falls. Crews also repaired several damaged wooden overlooks near the falls.

Catawba Falls re-opened again in January 2025 and remains open for visitors.

Our Catawba Falls and Catawba Falls Trail Photos