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

Turtleback Falls

📍 Sapphire, NC🥾 Trail length not published🎟 Free (no day-use fee)

A strenuous waterfall.

Getting there

strenuous

Free (no day-use fee)

Our take

Day-use access: Free (no day-use fee). Difficulty: Strenuous.

Planning your visit

Best time to go

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

What to bring

  • sturdy hiking boots

Who it suits

Good for

  • a hiking challenge

Common questions

Is there a fee to visit Turtleback Falls?

Free (no day-use fee)

How do I get to Turtleback Falls?

The managing agency's page (linked below) has the current trailhead and route details — round-trip distance wasn't published when we checked.

Turtleback 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
TrailNot published
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 (same corridor/trail as Rainbow Falls, reached about a quarter-mile before it), checked Aug 2026.

Checked August 2026.