Rhapsodie Falls
Jackson County, North Carolina
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- 66 ft (20 m)
- Location
- Jackson County, North Carolina
- Access status
- Unmaintained but obvious path with a river crossing and a very steep climb
- The walk
- About 2.5 miles return
- Ground & access
- Unmaintained but well-used path; easy old road for the first mile, then a very steep climb. River rock-hop and several small stream crossings that can be muddy. The plant community behind the falls is fragile.
From the gate, walk the old logging road about a mile, with several small stream crossings and a power line clearing, to the West Fork French Broad River. Rock-hop across and follow the path about 0.1 miles to the base of 30-foot Lower Rhapsodie Falls. Return to the trail and go right; it climbs very steeply. At a large boulder bear left beside it, pass to the right of a rockhouse, and where the trail forks on more level ground take the right fork to the base of the 70-foot Rhapsodie Falls.
Plan your visit
Gated old road off Winding Gap Road (NC 281) to the West Fork French Broad River, then steep path past Lower Rhapsodie Falls to Rhapsodie Falls
Take a Hike gives about 2.5 miles round trip. The legacy NCWaterfalls account gives 4 to 5 miles round trip for a longer outing that also includes Dismal Creek falls.
Unmaintained but well-used path; easy old road for the first mile, then a very steep climb. River rock-hop and several small stream crossings that can be muddy. The plant community behind the falls is fragile.
Where to start
From US 64 at Lake Toxaway, drive north on NC 281 for 6.2 miles and turn left on Winding Gap Road. Almost immediately take the one-lane gravel road to the right and drive to the end at the Forest Service gate. Park in the turnaround without blocking the gate.
Timing & water
River crossing is easy only at normal or low water. Pisgah National Forest had widespread Hurricane Helene damage; current trail condition not verified.
Before you go
Current fees and reservation requirements unknown.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
- Lower Rhapsodie FallsUnmaintained trail with a river rock hopJackson County, NC0.1 miNE
- Lower Dismal FallsUnmaintained trail with steep sections and a boulder climb at the endJackson County, NC0.2 miS
- Dismal FallsUnofficial, unmaintained route with ropes documented by two accounts; very strenuous131 ft (40 m) · Jackson County, NC0.3 miS
- Big Pisgah FallsJackson County, NC0.5 miE
- Laurel Blossom FallsJackson County, NC0.5 miSE
- Diamond FallsJackson County, NC0.5 miE
- Aunt Sallys Falls33 ft (10 m) · Jackson County, NC0.8 miNE
- Mill ShoalsTransylvania County, NC1.4 miE
- Upper Mill ShoalsTransylvania County, NC1.4 miNE