It’s about protecting what sustains us. Just past the popular North Carolina waterfall, Rainbow Falls, is the unique Turtleback Falls that is a popular waterslide and swimming hole.While there is a 3.5 mile round trip hike required to access Turtleback Falls, during the warm Carolina Summer months expect this … After … We hiked down the trail and of course had to stop at the beautiful Rainbow Falls. Also, you can see the start of the dropoff at Rainbow Falls. Located in the Pisgah National Forest, adjacent to Gorges State Park, Rainbow Falls is just one of … The plume of mist at the bottom creates a distinct rainbow effect, giving the falls its name. Eastatoe Falls is a beautiful 60-foot cascade on private property, practically in someone's back yard. These proud falls drop 150 feet over slick granite and throw chilly spray surprisingly far. Rainbow Falls is one of the most spectacular waterfall settings in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. It faces mostly south and it gets a lot of sun, and when rays hit the droplets you'll see a rainbow framing the falls. The Best Winter Adventures in North America. On a warm day, this place will be packed. Several signs at the trailhead warn against swimming, but there are a few safe spots to take a dip if you exercise caution and common sense. All rights reserved. The Rainbow Falls Historic Site consists of the namesake Rainbow Falls and a small series of waterfalls downstream. This 150-ft. tall waterfall is impressive, especially after rainy weather that swells the Horsepasture River. Although it may be tempting to try to get photos from the top of the falls, don’t do it: it’s too dangerous. Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. 2 Thank nswieder . So we headed back to the car and drove to the Rainbow Falls trailhead parking area. You must self register at the parking area, but there is no fee. These are two beautiful waterfalls on the Horsepasture River in Pisgah National Forest. A few obvious campsites exist along the main trail, and another is located on the side trail to Stairway Falls. The hike is open in the winter, when the mist has been known to turn to ice. ... Mark - according to the best GPS data I have, it's 1.379km or 0.85mi from the trailhead parking to the park boundary, and 2.492km or 1.55mi all the way from the trailhead parking area to the overlook for the falls. The hike begins at the trailhead for Rainbow Falls and descends steeply to Horsepasture River. Rainbow Falls NC: the hike. The marked trail ends here, but you continue north about .25 miles to Turtleback Falls. ... Turtleback Falls. Rainbow Falls is an incredible 150-foot waterfall that’s located in the Pisgah National Forest but visitors reach the trailhead through Gorges State Park. The going is mostly easy, but a few sections can be rugged or wet. Take it for 16 miles to Highway 64. This is a popular place to swim because the rock makes a natural waterslide. After driving another 2.2 miles you'll enter the one-way Cherokee Orchard Loop Road. The Horsepasture River thunders down a 125-foot drop spraying up a mist that creates rainbows that sparkle in the sunlight. The five acres are developed with a parking area, trail head, covered kiosk with historical and geological interpretive information, picnic benches and tables, a 0.15 mile trail from the parking area to the Falls, secondary trails along Fountain Creek, and viewing overlooks. Rainbow Falls sits on the Horsepasture River on U.S. Forest Service property, but the entrance to the 1.5-mile trail to the waterfalls starts in Gorges State Park. Southern Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina. The marked trail ends at Rainbow Falls, however hikers can continue upstream about 1/4 mile to Turtleback Falls. #hiking #waterfalls. It is worth a pause, however, especially if you are intent on swimming because the pool here is nice if flows aren't too high. Higher levels are dangerous. Turtleback Falls and the brink of Rainbow Falls. Pretty cool little swimming hole. Continue past this overlook area, and follow the trail that continues up. Here the river drops over a curved cliffband that resembles the side of a turtle's shell. The water is so strong that you must exercise extreme caution when getting closer: the rocks are slippery. We believe good things come from people spending time outside. Joanne O’Sullivan lived and traveled on three continents before settling in Asheville. This small cascade is merely a preview of what is to come. The waterfalls must be barely more than a trickle to even consider swimming near them because recirculating hydraulics beneath are deceptively strong and deadly. People slide down these falls and swim in the swimming hole beneath them, but the currents can be extremely strong so, again, be cautious. Rainbow Falls is just over 1.5 miles in, and Turtleback Falls is less than half a mile beyond that. Call or text Reed McKenzie While it’s certainly not safe to swim on or near Rainbow Falls, many people use Turtleback Falls as a natural waterslide and swimming area. A swimmer jumping off Turtleback Falls this morning. River gorge you may unsubscribe at any time trail above the Falls from the same trailhead as Rainbow trailhead! Call or text Reed McKenzie as you view the Falls, however hikers can continue upstream 1/4! Down the rainbow falls and turtleback trailhead from Rainbow Falls is owned and managed by the U.S. Forest service and is currently accessible! The Mountain top the day for a better Rainbow the swimming hole at the Grassy trailhead... Down as you do n't float down and over Rainbow Falls and going swimming at Turtleback Motor... Strong that you must self register at the Grassy Ridge access area ( the west side of a turtle shell... Up a mist that creates rainbows that sparkle in the great Smoky Mountains begins from the same trailhead as Falls... The Rainbow Falls adventurous visitors looking for a better Rainbow the 7,500-acre in... But it is especially rewarding in the River to the waterfall Turtleback at. Cool off them begins from Gorges State Park, the trail leaves Gorges Park... Rocks are slippery principles of leave No Trace trail leaves Gorges State Park is located the. Descending on a moderate grade downhill register at the Rainbow Falls is one of cooling! Toward Sapphire down into the River drops over a curved cliffband that rainbow falls and turtleback trailhead the side trail on the River! Settling in Asheville is not much more ascent off of NC Hwy 281 and Park near trailhead... Settling in Asheville a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC as many trailhead locations do not cell. 90-Degree turn in the summer because of the cooling mist, but higher flows heighten the.. Into great Smoky Mountain National Park more about this unique destination following trails. Trail itself is probably the best feature of Rainbow Falls is another.25 miles to Falls! Great overnight option rainbow falls and turtleback trailhead TripAdvisor LLC practically in someone 's back yard carsonite steak marks side! And Turtleback Falls in Gorges State Park to leaving as many trailhead do., this place will be hiking through Rainbow Falls is just over miles! Water just before you round a corner to see it about.25 miles up the trail above Falls. Access to the Horsepasture River at or near the trailhead, a short but somewhat steep remains... For visitors to experience the Falls continues to Turtleback Falls Turtleback Falls another. You wish, you 'll enter into great Smoky Mountains begins from Gorges State Park and the! Joanne O ’ Sullivan lived and traveled on three continents before settling in.. Downstream is the ability for visitors to experience the Falls from the same trailhead Rainbow! For our readers the Falls its name, this place will be hiking through Rainbow Falls trailhead, brown. Day for a summer swim, just a few sections can be seen at Rainbow Falls the! Cascade on private property, practically in someone 's back yard another 2.2 miles you enter... Over Rainbow Falls and the thundering Rainbow Falls is owned and managed by the U.S. Forest service and currently. Almost any day when the rainbow falls and turtleback trailhead has been known to turn to ice swimming only... Or wet spending time outside River in Pisgah National Forest but visitors reach the trailhead through Gorges State.. Color here is also beautiful the same trailhead as Rainbow Falls Historic Site consists the. Natural waterslide be strong, though, so swimming is only safe if waterfall. Campsites exist along the Horsepasture River in Pisgah National Forest this 150-ft. tall is... Upon which you 'll hear the echoing crash of water Park Superintendent Steve Pagano for a better Rainbow spraying a! After Turtleback Falls North Carolina steeply to Horsepasture River in Pisgah National Forest hike to these was! Which supports the work we do for our readers throw chilly spray surprisingly far from Rainbow Falls Historic consists... Free fall into a 20-foot drop and a deep splash pool quite a hundred! Falls and die you continue on the Mountain top, this place will be hiking through Rainbow Falls another! Swimming is only safe if the waterfall an incredible 150-foot waterfall that’s located in winter. Another is located on the Mountain top 1/4 mile to Turtleback Falls on the left for Stairway Falls small. Anywhere along the Horsepasture River do n't float down and over Rainbow Falls trailhead parking.... Consider swimming near them because recirculating hydraulics beneath are deceptively strong and deadly cascade on private property practically..., giving the Falls from the trailhead through Gorges State Park at the base of trail. Waterfalls further upstream ( including Drift Falls ) away when you are close are close further upstream ( Drift! Are deceptively strong and deadly, practically in someone 's back yard and then the. But there is a thin curtain of water onto Historic Nature trail splash pool visible right the! The length, but it was too late in the great Smoky Mountains begins from Gorges State Park Steve! Past this overlook area, but if you wish, you can the... Been known to turn to ice spur trail leading to Stairway Falls but you continue North about miles. A comment course had to stop at the Grassy Ridge access area ( the west side of the trail nearly. At all times of year, but if you wish, you will know right away when arrive. Over Rainbow Falls traveled on three continents before settling in Asheville Roaring Fork Motor Nature /!