Turtleback Falls
Lake Toxaway, North Carolina
| Address: | 976 Grassy Ridge Road, Lake Toxaway, NC 28747, USA |
| GPS: |
35°5'33.0"N 82°57'58.0"W Maps | Directions |
| State: | North Carolina |
| Trail Length: | 3.90 miles |
| Trail Type: | Out & Back |
| Hike Difficulty: | Intermediate |
| Elevation Gain: | 770 feet |
| Trails/Routes: | 1.4 mi |
Restrooms Rivers Waterfalls Trails Rocks Wildflowers
Backpack, Hike, and Swim
Turtleback Falls was named for its domed shape, similar to the back of a turtle. It's also called "umbrella falls" for the same reason. Visitors slide down Turtleback as the river flows over the slab of rock and drop into an open pool basin, also known as the Chug Hole. This great swimming hole is a quarter mile upstream from the 150' Rainbow Falls.
Located near Brevard on the Horsepasture River in the Pisgah National Forest, Turtleback Falls is an open slip-in-slide waterfall for the summer months. Visitors go down Turtleback falls and drop roughly 10 feet into an open pool basin.
Although Turtleback is a great swimming spot, it can also be dangerous. The water currents can be very strong and visitors have either drowned or have been swept downriver and over 125' rainbow river. If you want to slide, it's best to wait until the water currents aren't strong so it's safer to swim. If you want to find a calmer swimming hole, then go 1/3 of a mile down the river at Hidden Falls.
Turtleback falls is mostly a calm place to slip and swim and a great summer activity!
More Information
Be 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)
- Turn right onto US-64 W (2.7 mi)
- Turn left onto NC-281 S (1.6 mi)
1. Go onto highway 281 South near Sapphire NC. From Brevard, NC-take 64 South, turn left onto 281 South.
2. Gorges State Park will be on your left.
3. Follow the road to the Grassy Ridge back parking lot.
kwhitfield
5/7/20 12:04 pm
Trails
Distance ?
1.4 milesElevation Gain ?
-151 feetReal Ascent ?
571 feetReal Descent ?
722 feetAvg Grade (-1°)
-2%Grade (-34° to 61°)
-67% to 184%Elevation differences are scaled for emphasis. While the numbers are accurate, the cut-away shown here is not to scale.