AboutSubmit a waterfall
✓ Sourced from the managing agency's own page

Rainbow Falls

📍 Sapphire, NC🥾 3 mi round trip · strenuous🎟 Free (no day-use fee)

A strenuous 3-mile waterfall.

Getting there

strenuous3 mi round trip

Free (no day-use fee)

Our take

Day-use access: Free (no day-use fee). Trail: 3 miles round trip. Difficulty: Strenuous.

Planning your visit

Best time to go

Appalachian waterfalls run fullest after winter and spring rain and snowmelt.

How long to budget

1-2 hours

What to bring

  • sturdy hiking boots

Who it suits

Good for

  • a hiking challenge

Common questions

Is there a fee to visit Rainbow Falls?

Free (no day-use fee)

How do I get to Rainbow Falls?

Via a 3-mile round-trip trail rated strenuous by the managing agency.

Rainbow Falls in Blue Ridge Mountains

We track 14 waterfalls in Blue Ridge Mountains.

Other waterfalls near Sapphire

There are 5 other waterfalls we track in Transylvania County. All Blue Ridge Mountains waterfalls →

Quick facts

HeightNot published
Trail3 mi round trip
Difficultystrenuous
Fee / permitFree (no day-use fee)
Managing agencyU.S. Forest Service — Nantahala National Forest (trailhead accessed via NC State Parks' Gorges State Park)
DogsNot published
SwimmingNot published
ADA accessNot published
CountyTransylvania County
RegionBlue Ridge Mountains
Official pageView source ↗

Source

fs.usda.gov

USDA Forest Service Nantahala National Forest trail page, checked Aug 2026.

Checked August 2026.