Rainbow Falls
!
A small stream flows over the gorge walls between Bald Mountain and Round Top Mountain forming Rainbow Falls, a high waterfall located on the opposite side of Hickory Nut Gorge from Chimney Rock. The Nature Conservancy acquired the property in 2003 and later transferred it to the state park.
A road and hiking trail lead to the falls high up on the gorge walls, but unfortunately the road is private and the tract is surrounded by private property, so you can’t bushwhack to the falls from another direction. Well, that wouldn’t matter for most people, anyway, as this would be the mother of all off-trail hikes.
You can view the waterfall from several locations in Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park across the gorge. The best viewpoint in the park is Inspiration Point. The directions provided here take you to this view. Bring binoculars.
Note: Hickory Nut Gorge was devastated by Tropical Storm Helene in September 2024. See the Hickory Nut Falls page for the latest access info for Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park.
Rainbow Falls in Chimney Rock State Park. (057B-100322)
Driving Directions
The entrance to Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park is off US 64/74A in the heart of Hickory Nut Gorge at Chimney Rock Village. Drive the entrance road to the top and park in the lot just before the road ends. An admission fee is charged. Be sure to grab a trail map when you pay admission.
Note: Hickory Nut Gorge was devastated by Tropical Storm Helene in September 2024. See the Hickory Nut Falls page for the latest access info for Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park.
Hiking Directions
Quick Glance
Follow Skyline Trail to Inspiration Point.
Detailed Look
Study the trail map or ask an attendant if needed. Everything here is well signed, so you’d have to try really hard not to find anything. Basically, you just want to ascend. If there’s more ascending to do, you haven’t gotten there yet. Once you reach the open rock and expansive view at Inspiration Point, you’ll know it.
Finding Inspiration Point is easy. Finding Rainbow Falls once you get there is another matter. But you’re in luck, as a peak finder display at the overlook identifies all the surrounding mountains, as well as Rainbow Falls. Keep in mind that during times of low flow and in summer, you might not see anything of the falls.
| Accessibility: | Hiking trail with lots of steps |
| County: | Rutherford |
| River Basin: | Broad |
| Watercourse: | Tributary to Broad River |
| Watershed: | Very small |
| Type and Height: | Multilevel falls totaling around 200 feet high |
| Landowner: | Chimney Rock State Park |
| Beauty Rating: | The waterfall is spectacular viewed from base, but not so much when viewed from across the gorge |
| Elevation: | 2400 feet |
| USGS Map: | Bat Cave |
| Hike Difficulty: | Difficult 376 steps! |
| Hike Distance: | 0.3 miles |
| Waterfall GPS: | 35.44889, -82.256228 |
| Trailhead GPS: | 35.432192, -82.249535 Coordinates for the parking lot at the elevator entrance in Chimney Rock State Park. |
Photo Gallery
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Then & Now
Historical Gallery
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