Rainbow Falls Trail

Rainbow Falls Trail descends into one of the most dramatic gorge systems in the southern Appalachians, culminating at a stunning 150-foot horseshoe waterfall on the Horsepasture River. The falls earn their name from the rainbows that form in the mist on sunny afternoons when light refracts through the spray. The trail loses most of its 1,400 feet of elevation on the way to the falls, meaning the return journey is genuinely strenuous as hikers climb back out of the gorge. The Horsepasture River corridor is a National Wild and Scenic River, protecting one of the most botanically diverse riparian zones in the eastern United States. The gorge receives some of the highest rainfall totals in the eastern U.S., over 80 inches annually, supporting a temperate rainforest ecosystem with massive hemlock trees, diverse ferns, and rare wildflowers. The trail passes several smaller cascades before reaching the main falls. Swimming in the pool below is prohibited due to dangerous currents and slippery rocks that have caused fatalities. The park is free with no entrance fees. The trailhead at Gorges State Park headquarters off Frozen Creek Road has limited parking, so early arrival on peak weekends is essential.