Trail Length Total: 5.5miles over 5 different trails.

AllTrails Rating: Varied

famBeta Rating: Easy & Beautiful!

famBeta Time: We observed these trails over the course of a weekend, if you are moderately in shape you should have no issue reaching any of the points of interest noted in this write up.

Technically this is a vacation report. However I wanted to write this up because I feel that this area is one of the best for families to visit at any time of the year. It’s rare to find an area where there is so much natural beauty and a plethora of options for accommodations. This area, around the Gorges State Park near Rosman, Sapphire, Cashiers, Highlands, even as far east as Brevard is chock full of interesting places to stay for a long weekend or week-long adventure.

If you do even just a cursory search regarding this area you’ll understand why it’s such a popular vacation area – and has been for generations. The last time I checked there are over 250 mapped waterfalls in this part of the state. Including Whitewater falls, which is the tallest waterfall east of the Rockies.

I’m going to break this review up into four sections.

  • Gorges State Park
  • Easily Accessible Waterfalls
  • Accommodations
  • Towns & Points of Interest

Gorges State Park

Trails: Rainbow Falls Trail

Gorges State Park is one of the newest parks in the North Carolina State Park system. This rugged terrain was initially going to be used for hydroelectric production but was abandoned and gifted to the state. Due to its young age, the park is still developing a robust trail system and camping facilities. That being said, there are still a few great trails you should check out while visiting this park.

We were short on time and only managed to traverse the Rainbow Falls Trail to Rainbow Falls. We visited this part of the state a few days after a tropical storm rolled through, so all of the waterfalls mentioned in this review were flowing fully with tons of water volume.

Rainbow Falls was loud and very impressive at the time of our trip. So loud, in fact, that it scared our youngest and we weren’t able to hang around the falls for too long. Also the mist being kicked up by the heavy water volume was getting us all wet! As you can see from the photos, this is a rugged and beautiful wild space that fortunately will now be protected by the NCParks system.

This trail is listed as a strenuous trail, but I cannot recall any part of it being too challenging for us or the kids. Your hike back to the car will be a steady uphill climb, so be prepared, but this is a hike anyone can do with frequent stops. The trail itself is well trafficked and maintained, be aware that traveling to Rainbow and Turtleback Falls takes you out of the Gorges State Park and into Pisgah National Forest, you’ll see signs noting this – simply continue along the trail, before you know it you’ll hear the falls.

You may choose to continue along the Rainbow Falls Trail for another .6 miles to reach Turtleback Falls. You should know that this is a strenuous stretch of trail, so plan accordingly. Also, please note that the mileage listed on the Gorges State Park Trail Map doesn’t include the portion of the trail extending into Pisgah National Forest. Your total hike will be closer to 4 miles, not 1.5.


Roadside Waterfalls

Bridal Veil Falls | Dry Falls | Whitewater Falls

Three beautiful waterfalls, all with less than .2mi worth of hiking to reach a good view. While there are tons of other waterfalls you should add to your weekend, I would highly recommend you don’t miss these three. You can essentially pull up, park, step out of your vehicle and enjoy the rush of water in a matter of minutes.

Bridal Veil Falls

The first time I saw this waterfall I was convinced I’d driven into the set of a movie. Up until a few years ago the road actually went behind the falls. Imagine, driving through the mountains of North Carolina unaware that you would soon come across a waterfall that essentially flows directly onto the road.

bridal veil falls nc family behind the falls

You can pull up and park along the road, walk back a few hundred feet and be right under the water. This place fills up quick, so plan to arrive early. Fortunately unlike a lot of other trailheads most folks don’t stick around here too long because there is only one thing to see, so if you do arrive and there is no parking feel free to drive down the road and check out Dry Falls first. Then circle back and check out Bridal Veil Falls.

Dry Falls

Continue west on US-64 and you’ll soon venture upon a small parking lot on the left hand side of the road. If there is a spot, take it, otherwise you could be walking quite a ways up the highway to visit Dry Falls.

As the name would imply, you can stay dry (well, you’ll be “misted”) and walk behind the water at Dry Falls. The US Forest Service made a wonderful wooden walkway behind the 65′ high waterfall. Bonus points if you visit after a rain storm.

Dry Falls waterfall with walkway visible behind the flowing water

If you can’t tell, these are all EPIC photo locations.

Whitewater Falls

Now, don’t tell Erin I admitted to this, but I may have made a small navigational error when driving from Dry Falls, west of Highlands, to Whitewater Falls located southeast of Cashiers. Part of our voyage did include me taking the family van on a few miles worth of gravel road, then dipping into South Carolina before finally parking at the trailhead long 281.

This is a very, very high waterfall. How high? Well I’m glad to say it is the tallest waterfall east of the Rockies, falling an impressive 811 ft! Thats over twice the height of Niagra Falls!

View of upper whitewater falls from viewing platform in fall with trees changing colors

Here’s the rub, while you can get an excellent view of the falls from the parking lot and connected viewing areas, you’ll want to climb down ALL THOSE STAIRS to get a better view from the very bottom, you will then of course have to climb them all back up again.

The lower half of the falls, down at the bottom of the 150+ wooden steps, will lead you to the Foothills Trail. A worthy local through hike of nearly 80 miles along the NC/SC border.

What else can you do?

While this day trip is certainly a great way to spend an afternoon there are countless waterfalls in the area to explore, streams to wade in, and trails to blaze.

With tons of accommodations the towns of Sapphire Valley, Cashiers, & Highlands have everything a vacationing family or group of friends could be looking for. There are not a lot of “budget” hotels in the area, so be prepared to either pony up some cash to stay at The Greystone Inn (highly recommended) or one of the other epic properties in the area, or rent a vacation rental – there are tons from which to choose.

One thing is for sure, this is a vacation destination you’ll be itching to get back to for a while.

Bon Voyage!