Directions

From Hot Springs, North Carolina

1. Head southwest on Bridge St (144 ft)
2. Continue straight onto NC-209 S/Lance Ave
   Continue to follow NC-209 S
   (3.2 mi)
3. Turn left (0.2 mi)

Report from a visitor:"There are two ways to access these falls now:

1) From Brevard, go about 18 mi southwest on RT 64, turn south on RT 281, go 1 mile and turn left into “Gorges State Park”. Follow road to end where there is a parking area, information, and a new trail head to the falls. When accessing the falls from this point you will arrive in reverse direction from that described below; meaning the first fall you will get to is Hollow Falls and the last fall will be Drift Falls. The hike from this lot is more extreme than that from the road. Rainbow falls is about 1.5 miles from this lot.

2) From Brevard, go about 18 mi southwest on RT 64, turn south on RT 281, go about .5 mile and park in the church parking lot on the right (We talked to a couple of people who still do this). Walk back to the road and turn right and walk past the entrance to “Gorges State Park” to where there is a gate. The gate is posted state employees only, but people still walk to and around the gate. A trail downstream along the river leads to these falls."

DRIFT FALLS (AKA: BUST YOUR BUTT FALLS) [DRIF]: This falls is now under new ownership and closed to the public. The reason these falls are closed is due to heavy gathering and partying at this fall and people were leaving garbage behind. Please, when visiting any natural area, carry your garbage back out with you. It is a high, sloping waterfall on fairly smooth rock falling into major pool below. Hardy souls used to slide down falls and plunge into pool below, not very safe or comfortable. Also used to swim in pool below. Very confident. Verified. NOTE: We received this email in 9/2006 "Already listed as Private Property, Drift Falls is being actively patrolled by owner. Persons found there by guards hired by owner are turned over to sheriff deputy, given a citation, and required to appear in court. No paying fine/court costs through mail. Owner is serious (probably due to litigation - "attractive nuisance") and is filling the legal system with trespassing cases. Best advice - stay away."