About this spot
Davids Falls (also called Shiprock Falls) is a small, roughly 20-foot cascade on the Catawba River upstream of the main Catawba Falls, reached by continuing past Upper Catawba Falls on an unofficial extension of the Catawba Falls Trail in Pisgah National Forest, for about 4 miles round trip total. It ends in a small, clear pool at the base. No fees apply on national forest land. It's a quiet side-hike rarely crowded even when the main falls are busy, but there is no documented swimming or jumping culture — hikers describe it as a scenic stop, not a swim destination. Slick rock and the extended off-trail approach are the hazards that matter most; treat pool depth as unverified.
Safety first. Cliff jumping is inherently dangerous and can cause serious injury or death. Conditions — water depth, submerged hazards, and access — change constantly. CliffScout is community-sourced reference information, not a guarantee a spot is safe. Always assess the conditions yourself before jumping, and never jump where you're unsure. You assume all risk.