GORGES STATE PARK FAST FACTS
LOCATION: Sapphire, North Carolina
HOURS: 7am-10pm Summer – 7am-7pm Winter
COST: FREE
TIME TO COMPLETE: 2-3 hours
ACCOMODATIONS: Large parking lot, public restrooms (at Visitor Center) and gift shop
The Gorges State Park waterfalls are unique for a few good reasons. First, only one of them, Bearwallow Falls, is actually in the park. The other four falls, accessed via the Rainbow Falls Trail, are technically located in Pisgah National Forest along the Horsepasture River. The key is the trailhead starts in the Gorges State Park so the falls are all considered a part of the park. The other unique feature is the four Gorges State Park waterfalls can each be accessed from a single 3.1 miles (5 km) out-and-back trail.
Gorges State Park is one of North Carolina’s newest state parks and was created primarily as an entry point for hiking to the infamous Rainbow Falls. In total, Gorges State Park encompasses 7,700 acres (3,116 ha) and receives almost 90” of rain each year, which qualifies it as a temperate rainforest. While our visit focused on waterfall chasing, the park offers opportunities for fishing, backpacking, camping, horseback riding and mountain biking. At its southern end it connects with South Carolina’s Lake Jocassee. We were lucky that it had rained for a few days prior to our visit so the water levels were up along the river and over the falls.
Gorges State Park Visitor Center
Your first visit should be to the Gorges State Park Visitor Center. Built in 2012 this LEED Gold certified facility has a bit of everything. There is staff onsite to answer any of your questions (including a map of the park), a gift shop, local art exhibits and a museum section with tons of fun facts and information about Gorges State Park. There is also a teaching auditorium and classrooms as well as a roomy balcony that encircles the east end of the building providing fantastic views of the distant Sassafras, Hickory Nut and Horse Mountains.
Rainbow Falls Trail
From the Gorges State Park Visitor Center hop back in your car and follow the brown signs to the Rainbow Falls Trailhead. The parking lot will be on your right. There are (4) waterfalls accessible from the Rainbow Falls Trail: Stairway, Hidden, Rainbow and Turtleback. The latter (3) are located just off the main trail and are almost impossible to miss. If you get started early in the morning you’ll find the hike quiet and peaceful filled with the almost constant voice of rushing water. As the day moves on this trail can become quite busy, particularly as far as Rainbow Falls.
The trail itself is out-and-back totaling 3.1 miles (5 km) with an elevation gain of 770’ (235 m) and is rated Moderate. The Rainbow Falls Trail is marked by the red dots The trail navigates between a wonderful combination of flat trail, declines and ascents, stones and boulders, exposed tree roots, stream crossings, wooden steps and red clay constantly surrounded by heavy thickets and forests.
Stairway Falls
About 20 minutes from the trailhead you’ll see a sign “Leaving Gorges State Park NC”. A few minutes after that you’ll see a spur (side path off of a main path) trail to your left. It may not seem like much but, if you choose to pursue, it’s worth exploring. I should say here that the journey down to the water is far more treacherous than the main trail. It gets very narrow and quite steep in sections and is not a well-maintained path. There also aren’t any paths directly to the water so you’ll need to be mindful of your options but the payoff is well worth the effort. Stairway Falls lives up to its name as it comprises a series of sloped cascades that form successive steps as the Horsepasture River makes its way southward. It can be challenging getting to spots with clear views of the falls but it’s well worth the effort.
Hidden Falls
Continuing along the Rainbow Falls Trail and after you cross over a second creek you’ll see four sets of paths on your left. Each reveals a different section of the Horsepasture River. The first spur trail reveals a series of rapids and cascades highlighted by a single tree sprouting up between two large boulders reaching toward the sunlight. Portions of the river are so loud you can scarcely hear yourself think. Truly the power of nature!
Back on the trail for another six minutes and another spur trail is seen to your left. As you approach the water you’ll see a small falls in the distance to your right and whitewater to your left. The boulders in the water are conveniently spaced apart allowing you to navigate out to the middle of the river for a truly fantastic perspective.
Back on the trail you encounter a memorable mash-up of moss-covered rocks, boulders, exposed tree roots and red clay as you wind your way uphill. About 5 minutes further you will reach the next spur trail on your left and down a steep “path”. This path opens up onto a series of large flat boulders with amazing activity both down and upstream. To your left are heavy rapids through a series of large boulders and to the right is the same . . . yet entirely different.
On your right, and in the distance, you can see Hidden Falls. This area is a popular spot to sit and relax in the shade and have a snack. Just a few minutes further up the trail is the last of the Hidden Falls spur trails. There are a series of massive boulders that extend out onto the river which provide a peaceful solace of calm water to your left and an up close view of Hidden Falls to your right. The falls are only 10’ (3 m) tall and just over 30’ (9 m) wide but still pack a nice punch.
Rainbow Falls
Rainbow Falls is the highlight of your hike from the Gorges State Park. There is no other way to describe the 150’ (46 m) tall falls other than spectacular. Similar to Linville Falls, there are a few different vantage points from which to enjoy the Rainbow Falls. When you first approach the top platform you hear the thunderous sound of the falling water and begin to see the falls through the trees. From the platform you get a spectacular view of the falls, the rock mountainous drop-off, the rainbow and the resulting mist in the air.
From the main platform, continue down the path until you see a spur trail on your left. The “trail”, such as it is, is steep and can be slippery. Soon you’ll see the second platform that brings you much closer to the falls. You get a much better look at how the shape of the rocks form the unique cascades. We were told when the waterflow is low you can sit on the rocks at the base of the falls, but please only proceed with caution.
To the right of the lower platform there is another trail that brings you even closer to the bottom of the falls. From this vantage point the falls look quite different. You’ll notice all of the assorted layers of the rockface and how they impact the variety of paths the water takes with each change. You’ll also note how flat and smooth the rocks at the base of the falls have become from the continuous striking of the falling water over the ages. Take note of the hill to your left, under the top platform. It is constantly bombarded by mist spray and looks like beach grass that emits a bright green color on a sunny day.
Turtleback Falls
Back on the trail you’ll ascend wooden steps and pass two massive boulders to your right. After about a quarter-mile upstream you’ll see yet another spur trail to your left. Follow the sound of rushing water and the dirt path onto another collection of large boulders that open up onto Turtleback Falls. After the wonder of Rainbow Falls it can feel like a bit of a letdown but Turtleback Falls are simply a different kind of falls. It’s a slowly descending water flow atop a massive flat rock formation. As you hop from boulder to boulder you’ll have multiple perspectives that reveal an interesting bend in the river abutted by the falls.
Similar to Sliding Rock, also in the Pisgah National Forest, Turtleback Falls looks like an ideal natural slide. However, due to a multitude of injuries over the years they have asked that visitors refrain from either sliding or even swimming. If you hop back on the trail you’ll get a chance to see the falls from the side. You can walk right up to the edge and really get a sense of the power of water and how much torque is generated from such a relatively short drop. To your right you get a better look at the level of activity above the final drop and how smooth the rocks have become from centuries of water wear. On your way back to the trailhead expect to encounter far more people than you saw going upstream.
Bearwallow Falls
Similar to Sliding Rock, also in the Pisgah National Forest, Turtleback Falls looks like an ideal natural slide. However, due to a multitude of injuries over the years they have asked that visitors refrain from either sliding or even swimming. If you hop back on the trail you’ll get a chance to see the falls from the side. You can walk right up to the edge and really get a sense of the power of water and how much torque is generated from such a relatively short drop. To your right you get a better look at the level of activity above the final drop and how smooth the rocks have become from centuries of water wear. On your way back to the trailhead expect to encounter far more people than you saw going upstream.
Final Thoughts
The Gorges State Park is one of the newest of North Carolina’s amazing parks. It’s ironic that, at least for waterfall chasers like us, most of the attractions are actually in the Pisgah National Forest. The trails are well maintained and filled with such natural beauty that the waterfalls are almost an added bonus.
What is your favorite State or National Park? We’d love to hear all about it!
