Rainbow Falls
Transylvania County, North Carolina
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- 128 ft (39 m)
- Location
- Transylvania County, North Carolina
- Access status
- Marked trail from Gorges State Park; steep, popular hike
- The walk
- About 3.2 miles return (about 1.5 miles each way)
- Ground & access
- Moderate to strenuous, with creek crossings (one may need a shallow wade in high water) and steep climbs. Do not go near the top of the falls; people have been swept over. Rocks are very slippery.
Rainbow Falls is a large waterfall on the Horsepasture River in Pisgah National Forest, reached through Gorges State Park. From the kiosks at the Grassy Ridge parking area, walk 0.3 miles to a T-junction and turn right on the orange-blazed Rainbow Falls Trail. The trail leaves the state park, crosses two creeks and climbs steeply to a split-rail fence with an open view of the falls. A left fork goes down to a lower viewing area. Return the same way.
Plan your visit
Grassy Ridge parking in Gorges State Park on Rainbow Falls Trail to Rainbow Falls on the Horsepasture River
Waterfall Hero lists 3.2 miles for the hike and says Rainbow Falls is visible 1.5 miles from the trailhead. Same trail both ways.
Moderate to strenuous, with creek crossings (one may need a shallow wade in high water) and steep climbs. Do not go near the top of the falls; people have been swept over. Rocks are very slippery.
Where to start
Grassy Ridge parking area in Gorges State Park. From US 64, take NC 281 south 0.9 miles, turn left into the park, drive 0.95 miles to the stop sign at the visitor center, turn left and drive 0.8 miles.
Timing & water
Very busy. NC State Parks listed park hiking trails as open on the reviewed page.
Before you go
NC State Parks says there are no day-use fees for Gorges State Park.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Turtleback FallsState park trailhead; national forest trail13 ft (4 m) · Transylvania County, NC0.1 miN
- Drift FallsPublic trail to a boundary view; falls on private land33 ft (10 m) · Transylvania County, NC0.3 miNW
- Stairway FallsState park trailhead; unofficial side path in the national forest39 ft (12 m) · Transylvania County, NC0.6 miSE
- Sidepocket FallsPartial guide: rough unmaintained path below Stairway Falls; route last described in detail in 200349 ft (15 m) · Transylvania County, NC0.8 miSE
- Little FallsTransylvania County, NC1.2 miNW
Windy FallsPartial guide: unofficial route to the top of a dangerous falls; trail name not in the current park trail list197 ft (60 m) · Transylvania County, NC1.3 miS- Hen Tail FallsTransylvania County, NC1.4 miS
- Rooster Tail FallsTransylvania County, NC1.4 miS
- Indian Camp FallsPartial: state park trails, a creek ford and an unmeasured bushwhack; no published distanceTransylvania County, NC1.5 miE