Rainbow Falls, 150-foot waterfall in Chimney Rock, North Carolina.
The water cascades down a vertical cliff face into a deep pool, creating constant mist patterns that drift through the surrounding forest landscape.
The Horsepasture River, which forms Rainbow Falls, was designated as a National Wild and Scenic River in 1986 to protect its natural features.
Local photographers gather at the falls during morning hours to capture the natural light phenomena created by water droplets in the air.
Visitors access the falls through a 1.5-mile marked trail from the Grassy Ridge parking area, requiring sturdy footwear for the moderate terrain.
The waterfall maintains a consistent flow throughout all seasons due to the area receiving over 80 inches of annual rainfall in this temperate forest.
Location: North Carolina
GPS coordinates: 35.44910,-82.25630
Latest update: March 2, 2025 22:48
Chimney Rock State Park
1.9 km
Catawba Falls
17.3 km
Andrews Geyser
22.5 km
Hickory Nut Falls
1.8 km
Henderson County Courthouse
23.8 km
Pine Gables
2.8 km
Blake House
23.8 km
Blue Ridge Assembly Historic District
16.9 km
Stone Hedge
22.8 km
Mineral and Lapidary Museum
23.6 km
Fox Haven Plantation
21.6 km
The Meadows
21.7 km
Black Mountain Downtown Historic District
19.5 km
Intheoaks
19.2 km
Thomas Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church
20.1 km
Main Street Historic District
23.7 km
Welsford Parker Artz House
21.5 km
Polk County Courthouse
22.6 km
Rafael Guastavino, Sr., Estate
17.2 km
Old Fort Commercial Historic District
21.2 km
Clarke-Hobbs-Davidson House
23.7 km
Rev. Joshua D. Jones House
19.6 km
J. G. Hughes House
22.3 km
Seventh Avenue Depot District
23.1 km
Albertus Ledbetter House
16.8 km
William Nelson Camp, Jr., House
16.6 km
Dr. Cireo McAfee McCracken House
16.2 km
Fox Theatre
23.6 kmReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes