Rainbow Falls
- Height
- 150 ft
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Not required
- Dogs
- Allowed
Rainbow Falls drops about 150 ft on Horsepasture River in Transylvania County, North Carolina.
Closures and warnings
Park posts waterfall-area safety rules; follow posted guidance near falls. Rainbow Falls trail leaves the state park into Pisgah National Forest. As of September 28, 2026.
The falls
| Height | 150 ft |
|---|---|
| Flow note | About 150 ft waterfall on the Horsepasture River; trail to the falls starts at Gorges State Park and continues into Pisgah National Forest. |
Access
| Road | Paved |
|---|---|
| Parking | Grassy Ridge Access / Visitor Center, 976 Grassy Ridge Road, Sapphire NC 28774 (GPS 35.0960, -82.9510). |
| Fee | No day-use fee for Gorges State Park access. |
| Hours | Park hours vary by month (e.g. Sep 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.; visitor center 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily). Closed Christmas Day. |
| Reservation or permit | Not required |
| Managed by | North Carolina State Parks (Gorges State Park); falls on Pisgah National Forest, trail starts in the park |
| Showers | Yes |
|---|---|
| Picnic sites | Yes |
| Note | Visitor center, picnic shelters, camping with showers; 56 miles of hiking trails in the park. |
Rules
| Dogs | Allowed |
|---|---|
| Camping | Allowed |
Common questions
Common questions
Is Rainbow Falls open?
Park posts waterfall-area safety rules; follow posted guidance near falls. Rainbow Falls trail leaves the state park into Pisgah National Forest. As of September 28, 2026. Hours: Park hours vary by month (e.g. Sep 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.; visitor center 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily). Closed Christmas Day.
How tall is Rainbow Falls?
Rainbow Falls drops about 150 ft.
How do you get to Rainbow Falls?
The road in is paved. Parking: Grassy Ridge Access / Visitor Center, 976 Grassy Ridge Road, Sapphire NC 28774 (GPS 35.0960, -82.9510).
Do you need a reservation for Rainbow Falls?
No reservation or permit is required.
Is there a fee at Rainbow Falls?
The fee is No day-use fee for Gorges State Park access.
When is Rainbow Falls flowing?
About 150 ft waterfall on the Horsepasture River; trail to the falls starts at Gorges State Park and continues into Pisgah National Forest.
What facilities are at Rainbow Falls?
Showers and picnic sites. Visitor center, picnic shelters, camping with showers; 56 miles of hiking trails in the park.
Nearby
Sources
2
- https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/gorges-state-park (accessed September 28, 2026; backs manager / access.parking / access.fee / access.hours / access.amenities / rules.dogs / rules.camping, access.permitRequired false / hazardNote, waterfall.ephemeral false / access.roadSurface, access.amenities.note)
- https://wlos.com/news/local/top-5-waterfalls-wnc-kid-friendly-accessible-hidden-adventures-transylvania-haywood-jackson-macon-swain-counties (accessed September 28, 2026; backs waterfall.heightFt)
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