Rainbow Falls
Lake Toxaway, North Carolina
| Address: | Rainbow Falls Trail, Lake Toxaway, NC 28747, USA |
| GPS: |
35°5'16.1"N 82°57'27.2"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | North Carolina |
| Trails/Routes: | 1.3 mi |
Rivers Waterfalls Glaciers
Hike and Swim
Rainbow Falls is one of the most spectacular waterfall settings in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. This 150-ft. tall waterfall is impressive, especially after rainy weather that swells the Horsepasture River. The best feature of Rainbow Falls is the ability for visitors to experience the falls from the front, bottom, side and top! Located in the Pisgah National Forest, adjacent to Gorges State Park, Rainbow Falls is just one of a series of cascades and waterfalls on a two-mile stretch of the river. The park is in the Sapphire community, near Lake Toxaway, and about 55 miles from downtown Asheville. Courtesy of romanticasheville.com
More Information
Rainbow Falls, NC
See photos, video and tips for visiting Rainbow Falls in North Carolina, on the Horsepasture River in the Pisgah National Forest adjacent to Gorges State Park near Brevard.
https://www.romanticasheville.com/rainbow_falls.htmswimmingholes.org North Carolina Swimming Holes and Hot Springs rivers creek springs falls hiking ca
THE web site for beautiful, natural places for a cool dip or hot soak.
https://www.swimmingholes.org/nc.htmlBe courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
Read More
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Lake Toxaway, North Carolina
- Head southeast on NC-281 S toward Toxaway Point (0.5 mi)
- Keep right to stay on NC-281 S (131 ft)
- Continue straight onto US-64 W (2.7 mi)
- Turn left onto NC-281 S (0.9 mi)
- Turn left onto Grassy Ridge Rd (1.7 mi)
- Turn right (351 ft)
Other Swimming Holes and Hiking Trails Nearby
Hidden Falls
Lake Toxaway, North Carolina
0.3 miles WJust a few steps off the Horsepasture River trail, Hidden Falls drops less than ten feet into an idyllic boulder-rimmed pool — a serene and easy family swimming hole.
Hike, Swim 1.4 mi
Turtleback Falls
Lake Toxaway, North Carolina
0.6 miles NWTurtleback Falls' dome-shaped slide drops riders 10 feet into the Chug Hole pool, but wait for calm currents — strong flows have swept swimmers downriver over 125-foot Rainbow Falls.
Backpack, Hike, Swim
Cashiers Area
Woodleaf, North Carolina
8.6 miles WSwim near Woodleaf, North Carolina
Swim
Moonshine Falls Area
Bishopville, South Carolina
9.5 miles SESwim near Bishopville, South Carolina
Swim
Big Creek Area
Tuckasegee, North Carolina
11.3 miles NSeveral remote swimming holes near the TN-NC border in the Big Creek Recreation Area of the Great Smoky Mountains — very secluded, and dogs are not allowed on the trail.
Swim
Bear Creek Area
Tuckasegee, North Carolina
11.3 miles NSeveral remote swimming holes in lakes along Route 281 southeast of Sylva and Cullowhee — bathing suits optional at most spots, given how far off the beaten path they are.
Swim
Courthouse Falls
13.2 miles N
A gorgeous 45-foot waterfall streams into a stunning blue-green pool in a greenery-covered cliff cove — just a 3/4-mile easy hike from the parking lot, open year-round.
Hike, Swim 3.1-4.3 mi
Farlow Gap
Canton, North Carolina
15.4 miles NEOne of Pisgah's most technical downhills — a minefield of boulders dropping 2,000 feet in 3 miles, best ridden as part of the Fish Hatchery loop.
Hike, Mountain Bike 7.1 mi
Daniel Ridge Loop
Canton, North Carolina
15.4 miles NEA classic short Pisgah loop with moderate technical riding, a rocky downhill roller coaster, two waterfalls, and multiple route options to tailor the adventure.
Hike, Mountain Bike
Whaleback Swimming Hole
Asheville, North Carolina
15.6 miles NEA horseshoe of massive bedrock around a deep, green swimming hole where Cove Creek meets the Davidson River — locals' quiet answer to crowded Sliding Rock.
Swim
Big Creek
Waynesville, North Carolina
15.7 miles NWBig Creek is a crystalline mountain stream tumbling through the quiet northeastern corner of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and it may be the single best swimming creek in the Smokies. Cold,...
Swim
Midnight Hole
Waynesville, North Carolina
15.7 miles NWMidnight Hole is the most beloved swimming hole in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, an emerald-green pool of startling clarity sitting at the base of a six-foot waterfall, ringed by house-sized...
Swim
Cove Creek Tubs
Brevard, North Carolina
15.8 miles NEThree perfectly rounded pot holes — the Pisgah Forest's finest — stack up to 12 feet deep in sun-drenched pools that are best described as nature's own jacuzzi collection.
Swim 0.8 mi
Daniel Ridge Falls
Brevard, North Carolina
16.4 miles NEAn easy half-mile hike in Pisgah National Forest near Brevard to a 150-foot waterfall known by three names — most impressive after rain, modest in dry spells, with an optional 4-mile loop to the top.
Hike, Mountain Bike, Swim
Butter Gap / Trail #123
Brevard, North Carolina
16.5 miles NEButter Gap Trail in Pisgah Forest climbs about 1,000 feet and connects to FS 471D — the western fork is open to mountain bikes, with seasonal bike access on part of the route.
Hike, Mountain Bike 1.8 mi
Flat Laurel Creek
16.8 miles N
A 3.18-mile multi-use trail following Flat Laurel Creek through colorful rock formations and forest, with distant views of Sam Knob and a small waterfall — open year round.
Hike, Horseback, Mountain Bike, Swim 0.2-2.8 mi
Graveyard Fields
Brevard, North Carolina
17.2 miles NTwo cascading waterfalls — a swimmable Lower Falls just 1/3 mile from the road, and a more challenging Upper Falls on a 3.5-mile wildflower loop — make this a must-see hike.
Hike, Swim
Coontree Recreation Area
Brevard, North Carolina
17.6 miles NEA scenic picnic area on the Davidson River with direct access to calm, deep water for swimming and fishing — plus the 3.7-mile Coontree Loop Trail through Pisgah National Forest.
Hike, Mountain Bike, Swim
Skinny Dip Falls
Brevard, North Carolina
17.7 miles NEA cascading waterfall with multiple clear pools for wading and swimming, a 6-foot jumping spot, and an easy 3/4-mile forested walk from the Blue Ridge Parkway — swimmers should mind fast water and slippery rocks.
Hike, Swim 0.1 mi
Looking Glass Falls
Brevard, North Carolina
17.9 miles NEOne of North Carolina's most popular and accessible waterfalls — the 60-foot Looking Glass Falls drops roadside along the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway in Pisgah National Forest, with easy viewing from the parking area or a short walk.
SwimNearby Campsites
Davidson River Campground
Pisgah Forest, North Carolina
18.8 miles NEA year-round campground in Pisgah National Forest just four miles from Brevard and less than an hour from Asheville, with shaded loops, hiking trails, waterfalls, and fishing spots nearby.
Camp, Hike, Swim
War Woman Dell Wildlife Management Area
Clayton, Georgia
26.5 miles SWA short 0.8-mile out-and-back hike near Clayton, Georgia through a nature trail to a waterfall — good for all skill levels and accessible year-round.
Camp, Hike, Horseback
Mt. LeConte Lodge
Sylva, North Carolina
27.1 miles NWThe highest guest lodge in the eastern United States at 6,400 feet, with spectacular Smokies views from an open glade just below the Mt. LeConte summit in Great Smoky Mountains NP.
Camp, Hike, Horseback, Rock Climb
Cosby Campground
Cosby, Tennessee
48.3 miles NCamp and Swim near Cosby, Tennessee
Camp, Swim
