trailhead

MCAFEE KNOB TRAILHEAD

Virginia No water is availableNo FeeSource: usfs
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About this place

Catawba, VA - Roanoke County

37.38012
-80.09190
No Fee
No water at trailhead. Untreated water at Johns Spring Shelter (1.0 mi) and Catawba Mountain Shelter (2.2 mi).
No

More details

McAfee Knob is the most-photographed spot on the Appalachian Trail — a dramatic rock outcropping on Catawba Mountain with a 270-degree panoramic view over the Roanoke Valley. The 8-mile round-trip from the VA-311 trailhead climbs through Jefferson National Forest, passing two backcountry shelters before the final exposed scramble to the summit at 3,197 ft. Part of the Roanoke Triple Crown alongside Dragon's Tooth and Tinker Cliffs.

USGS Topo Good road labels

Nearby (≈ 5 miles)

Quick hits within ~8 km.

Boy Scout Shelter
feature • 1.69 km
Catawba, VA 24070
feature • 2.48 km
Catawba Mountain Shelter
feature • 3.2 km
McAfee Knob (3197 ft)
feature • 5.04 km
Campbell Shelter
feature • 5.66 km
DRAGON'S TOOTH TRAILHEAD
trailhead • 5.67 km
Relief / Topo Great for terrain & contours

Weather (5-day)

Wed, Jun 3
48° / 76°
💨 6 mph • 🌧 0%
Thu, Jun 4
57° / 83°
💨 6 mph • 🌧 0%
Fri, Jun 5
63° / 87°
💨 6 mph • 🌧 0%
Sat, Jun 6
60° / 87°
💨 9 mph • 🌧 4%
Sun, Jun 7
60° / 81°
💨 13 mph • 🌧 27%

Forecast via Open-Meteo.

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