Transylvania County NC is justifiably known as “the Land of Waterfalls.”
There are more than 250 waterfalls in the area surrounding Brevard to check off your list, but in our experience Rainbow Falls in Gorges State Park is easily among the most magical.
When my husband Jonathon and I lived in Brevard and visited Gorges State Park for the first time, it was a gorgeous day.
As we hiked the Rainbow Falls Trail, the sun was angled perfectly to see the gloriously vivid rainbow I hoped for.
But there are also two other waterfalls on the same trail– Hidden Falls and Turtleback Falls– and the popular NC state park has a lot of other attractions to offer for nature lovers.
Although Hurricane Helene hit the area pretty hard in September 2024, Gorges State Park has since recovered. All trails have reopened, offering 56 miles for hiking, 17 miles for biking, and 12 miles for horseback riding.
Read on for our in-depth guide to exploring Gorges State Park, including all the best hiking trails, waterfalls, camping options, picnic areas, and other attractions.
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Gorges State Park NC Info
ADDRESS: 976 Grassy Ridge Rd, Sapphire NC 28774
PHONE: 828-966-9099
HOURS: Dec-Feb: 7AM-7PM; Mar-Apr: 7AM-9PM; May-Sep: 7AM-10PM; Oct 7AM-9PM; Nov: 7AM-8PM.
ENTRY FEES: Free
RESERVATIONS: Reserve Online
DRIVING DIRECTIONS FROM BREVARD
It’s just a 30-minute drive from Downtown Brevard to Gorges State Park. Head southwest on S Broad St towards W Jordan St, and in 0.5 miles turn right onto US-64 W.
Continue on US-64 W for 17.6 miles before turning left onto NC-281/Whitewater Rd. In 0.9 miles, turn left onto Grassy Ridge Rd, then in another 0.9 miles you’ll arrive at Gorges State Park.
READ MORE: Highlights of Driving the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway NC (BRP MP 412)
Gorges State Park Hiking Trails
Picnic Connector Trail (Easy, 0.8 Miles )
If you want to hike the Picnic Connector Trail, park at the visitor center or at one of the two picnic shelters on the main road.
This easy hike is a great one to do after lunch with the kids. It connects to the Bearwallow Valley Trail and Bearwallow Falls Trail (see below), so you can combine all three together for a 3-mile hike.
Head along the Bearwallow Valley Trail and take a right at the fork to continue along the Picnic Connector Trail.
READ MORE: The Top 20 Waterfalls Near Brevard NC (Transylvania County)
Bearwallow Valley Trail (Moderate, 2.3 Miles)
You’ll find the trailhead for the Bearwallow Valley Trail at the Bearwallow Picnic Shelter area, or you can hop on it from the Gorges State Park Visitor Center.
This trail goes in the opposite direction of the Bearwallow Falls Trail (see below).
Once you reach the fork in the trail, take the path to the left to continue to the viewing platform (the fork to the right is the Picnic Connector Trail).
There you can see the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains and, unfortunately, a few electric pylons and wires, which are remnants from when this land was owned by Duke Power. Still, it’s a lovely scenic view!
READ MORE: The Cradle of Forestry in Pisgah National Forest (Near Brevard NC)
Bearwallow Falls Trail (Moderate, 0.4 Miles)
This a very short, but sweet trail (just 0.2 miles each way) that is especially good for kids.
Just remember that the outward journey is almost all downhill, but then you have to make the climb back up!
The trailhead can be found near the Bearwallow Picnic Shelter, and the trail ends at a wooden viewing deck where you can overlook the upper Bearwallow Falls.
READ MORE: Exploring the Davidson River Campground Near Brevard NC
Rainbow Falls Trail (Strenuous, 3.0 Miles)
In our opinion this is one of the most beautiful North Carolina Waterfalls, not to mention our favorite hiking trail in Gorges State Park.
You can access this trail from the Grassy Ridge parking area, but the strenuous trail (which has a LOT of incline on the way back) actually leads you past the park’s boundaries and into Pisgah National Forest.
Rainbow Falls is absolutely stunning, and seeing the vivid colors arching across the 150-foot drop makes it all that much more magical. Just note that seeing the rainbow is all about timing and light, so it’s best to visit on a sunny day.
There are also two smaller waterfalls along this trail, both of which make great places to stop for a rest or a picnic.
The aptly-named Hidden Falls is tucked back on the left, about 2/10 of a mile before you reach Rainbow Falls. Beautiful Turtleback Falls is just 1/4-mile upstream, and offers rocks to relax on and shade to cool down in.
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Camping at Gorges State Park
Camping in Gorges State Park is actually quite new, having opened at the end of 2022.
The 16 tent sites in the family campground have limited amenities, but there’s running water, pit toilets, and hot showers available.
There are 14 sites with electric hookups for RVs up to 50 feet long. Both Tent and RV campsites each have a picnic table, lantern holder, and fire pit.
They also offer 5 state park cabins in the campground that sleep up to 6 people, each with AC, fans, and heat.
Note that the park is locked at night, which means you must be back at camp if you’ve gone off-site for the day.
READ MORE: The 10 Best Campgrounds in North Carolina to Visit
Other Things to Do in Gorges State Park
Gorges State Park Visitor Center
Before you head off exploring the park, swing by the Visitor Center to pick up trail maps and get the lowdown from one of the park rangers. It’s open from 9AM to 5PM daily.
The Gorges State Park Visitor Center has a museum with exhibits, a 40-person classroom, and a partially shaded wrap-around porch that shows off the surrounding views.
They often have events and programs that give visitors a chance to learn about local plants and animals.
They also have guided tours in which rangers teach you how to identify trees.
READ MORE: Exploring the Oconaluftee Indian Village & Visitor Center in Cherokee NC
Gorges State Park Picnic Areas
Gorges State Park has some new, swanky picnic areas to enjoy.
These shelters need no reservations, and are free to use on a first-come, first-served basis.
There are some great trailheads near the picnic areas that are perfect for family-friendly hikes before or after your meal.
If you require space for a larger group, the park has picnic shelters available for rent that can accommodate up to 100 people. These shelters have water, electricity, restrooms, and fireplaces.
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Mountain Biking
If mountain biking is your thing, head to the Auger Hole Trail via the Frozen Creek Access on the eastern side of the park.
This is a strenuous, 7.2-mile each way trail that is also used for hiking and horses.
Make sure you pack some water and snacks, as it’s a long way in and back out again.
Check the official Gorges State Park website or Facebook page for updated info.
READ MORE: The 25 Best Places for Horseback Riding In/Near Asheville NC
Bird Watching
There are some awesome birdwatching spots on the eastern side of the park, along both the Auger Hole Trail and the Cranebrake Trail.
The thick and lush forest here provides the perfect habitat for many breeding and migrating songbirds, as well as the largest population of Swainson’s Warblers in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.
Both of these trails were temporarily closed due to damage from Hurricane Helene, but have since reopened.
READ MORE: 25 Beautiful Birds of North Carolina
Spot Native Plants
Gorges State Park is home to some rare species of plants. As a result, 275 acres of the 7,700-acre park have been put on the NC Registry of Natural Heritage Areas.
One special thing to look out for in the park is the large stands of Lady Slipper Orchids that grow wild here.
Due to the area’s high annual rainfall (about 80 inches), the park has some plants that are typically only found in the tropics!
Keep your eye out for other stunning North Carolina wildflowers, such as Wild Iris, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Halberd Yellow Violets, Catesby’s Trilliums, Solomon Seal, and Fairy Wands. -by Emma Gallagher; all photos by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett unless otherwise noted
