Turtleback Falls
Tourist attraction
4.9 (402)
976 Grassy Ridge Rd, Lake Toxaway, NC 28747
A cascade accessible via hiking trails, popular for picnicking & photos when trees turn red in fall.
This location may be clothing-optional or adjacent to adult content. We do not display adult imagery and recommend discretion. Families should verify suitability.
Historical Waterfall Group Reached Through Gorges Hiking AccessNC
Sapphire Valley Swimming Holes
By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated
Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.
Plan Gorges' Rainbow Falls hike and distinguish Drift, Turtleback, Rainbow and Hollow historical stops without private shortcuts or unsafe sliding claims.
Swimming permission unconfirmed
Use legal signed hiking routes. No gate bypass, private Drift Falls access, natural-slide endorsement, diving, behind-falls passage or clothing-optional permission established.
Official sources checked:
Water type
Historical Waterfall Group Reached Through Gorges Hiking Access
Access
Swimming unconfirmed
Fee
Gorges State Park day use has no entrance fee; camping, permits and reserved facilities have separate charges. No private waterfall admission or swim authorization established.
Best season
Check current Gorges trail/road notices and weather
Nearby towns
Asheville, Brevard, Sapphire
Water body
Horsepasture River
Location
Map & Directions
Nearby towns
Asheville, Brevard, Sapphire
Access location not verified
SAPPHIRE, NC
Approximate location based on the nearest town. Confirm the exact spot and access before you go.
Sources & checks
This is a desk-researched listing. A record update or map check does not confirm current swimming permission or water conditions.
- Swimming rules
- Official sources checked . Swimming permission remains unconfirmed.
- Access location not verified
- The recorded location has no completed source check. Confirm the entrance, legal access, and parking before travelling.
- Record updated
- · This is a data update, not a field visit.
Found an error? Send a correction with the location and a source. How we research listings.
Sapphire Waterfalls
The four archived names are Drift, Turtleback, Rainbow and Hollow Falls. These are not four surveyed swimming entrances. Gorges State Park provides the documented Rainbow Falls trail approach, while the park identifies Rainbow Falls itself as national-forest land. Keep the route jurisdiction and water permissions separate.
Start at Grassy Ridge, not a church or employee gate
Use Gorges' Grassy Ridge access at 976 Grassy Ridge Road. Its Rainbow Falls Trail is 1.5 miles one way and rated strenuous, so plan the return distance and your party's footing. Withdraw the old church-parking shortcut and instruction to walk around an employees-only gate. A park trail is not permission to cross a private parcel.
Keep the waterfalls a viewing itinerary
The archive already says Drift Falls was private and closed to public access; no current public opening is established here. Do not cross private boundaries to revisit it. Old Turtleback sliding, Rainbow depth and Hollow diving/behind-falls descriptions do not establish present permission or conditions. State waterfall guidance warns against climbing around falls, entering water above drops, jumping and diving into plunge pools.
Check the actual park notice and services
The current Gorges page says backcountry campsites and Chestnut Mountain Road are closed while other areas remain open. That is not a blanket closure of the Rainbow trail or a certification of every Horsepasture bank. State-park day use has no entrance fee; camping and reserved facilities have separate charges. Park visitor services are not a bathhouse or lifeguard service at the falls.
Check the specific destination before travel
Getting There
Use current Gorges State Park Grassy Ridge access at 976 Grassy Ridge Road and the signed Rainbow Falls Trail. Do not use the archived church lot, employees-only gate bypass or private Drift Falls approach.
Quick Navigation
Access Notes
Use current Gorges State Park Grassy Ridge access at 976 Grassy Ridge Road and the signed Rainbow Falls Trail. Do not use the archived church lot, employees-only gate bypass or private Drift Falls approach.
Plan Your Visit
Parking & Access
Confirm the entrance, parking arrangements, and legal access with the land manager. A map pin does not establish a public right of access. Follow posted routes and never block gates or driveways.
Regulations & Fees
Use legal signed hiking routes. No gate bypass, private Drift Falls access, natural-slide endorsement, diving, behind-falls passage or clothing-optional permission established. Public park access does not necessarily include permission to swim. Respect private property and posted restrictions.
Seasonality & Flow
Water conditions can change quickly. This listing does not provide a current safety or water-quality assessment. Check official alerts and avoid entering water when conditions or permission are uncertain.
Nearby Facilities
Nearby places from saved public map data, not necessarily facilities at the swimming spot. Confirm access, hours, fees, and amenities with the operator before you drive.
Map data retrieved 2026-06-15
Cashiers Sliding Rock
Tourist attraction
4.8 (334)
Chattooga River, Highlands, NC 28741
Silver Run Falls Trailhead
Tourist attraction
4.8 (677)
35°04'00.9"N 83°04'01.1"W, Cashiers, NC 28717
Moore Cove Falls Trail
Hiking area
4.8 (924)
US-276, Brevard, NC 28712
Short hiking trail in Pisgah National Forest to a 50-foot waterfall with a walking area behind it.
Looking Glass Falls
Hiking area
4.8 (4151)
US-276, Brevard, NC 28712
Photo-ready waterfall (named for a smooth rock that freezes) with a plunge pool & quick road access.
Looking Glass Rock Trailhead
Hiking area
4.8 (491)
Brevard, NC 28712
Davidson River Campground
Campground
4.6 (597)
1 Davidson River Cir, Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
Forested tent & RV sites along the Davidson River, with available hot showers & flush toilets.
Ash Grove Mountain Cabins & Camping
Campground
4.9 (256)
29 Ash Grv Wy, Brevard, NC 28712
Free Wi-Fi
Frequently Asked Questions About Sapphire Valley Swimming Holes
Which four falls does the Sapphire archive name?
Drift, Turtleback, Rainbow and Hollow Falls. The old list is not proof of four currently authorized bathing entrances.
Where is the documented public hiking approach?
Use Grassy Ridge at 976 Grassy Ridge Road in Gorges State Park and the signed Rainbow Falls Trail.
Is Rainbow Falls Trail 1.5 miles round trip?
No. The park lists 1.5 miles one way and rates it strenuous. Allow for the return walk and actual trail conditions.
Can we use the old church lot or bypass the employees-only gate?
No such current permission is established. Use official parking and signed hiking access instead of the archived shortcut.
Do the old sliding, diving and pool-depth claims remain travel advice?
No. They are not a current permission or depth survey. Stay on authorized trails and avoid waterfall edges, rock slides, jumping and underwater or behind-falls passages.
Is all of Gorges currently closed?
No. The current landing page lists backcountry campsites and Chestnut Mountain Road closed, with other areas open. Recheck exact trail and facility notices before your visit.
Location & Area Map
Safety Information
Important Safety Tips
- Avoid jumping, diving, natural slides and high or rising flow
- A recreation listing or clear appearance is not a water-quality or depth guarantee
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background
Historical directions are retained separately; use current manager instructions for travel.
Photography Guide
Photo Opportunities
Photograph only from currently lawful viewpoints; no exact water-entry photograph is approved here.
Conservation & Ethics
Protect This Place
Follow current manager routes and fire restrictions, respect private parcels and pack out waste.
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Check water quality before swimming
Use this safety guide before entering any natural water.
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At a Glance
Best Time to Visit
Check current Gorges trail/road notices and weather; no month guarantees low flow or safe waterfalls.
Difficulty Level
Confirm the precise current lawful approach and your party's abilities; no surveyed accessible bathing entrance established.
Fee
Gorges State Park day use has no entrance fee; camping, permits and reserved facilities have separate charges. No private waterfall admission or swim authorization established.
Facilities
Gorges visitor center and designated park facilities are separate from the Horsepasture falls; no waterfall bathhouse, lifeguard service or potable water at the pools established.
Activities
Documented strenuous waterfall hiking and scenic viewing; current bathing/sliding permission at the four historical waterfalls not established.
Phone
828-556-6056
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
Camping Information
Use currently bookable authorized park camping only. Current landing page lists backcountry campsites and Chestnut Mountain Road closed; no camping at the falls or private parcels authorized.
Loading weather data…
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
- Do not swim where swimming is prohibited, unsafe, or not clearly allowed.
- Follow posted signs, local regulations, closures, and private-property boundaries.
- Assess conditions on site. Water flow, depth, temperature, and underwater hazards change quickly.
- Never jump or dive without personally confirming depth and underwater obstacles.
- Swim with a buddy and consider flotation for weak or non-swimmers.
- Pack out all trash; respect wildlife and fragile environments.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
J
Joshua Havens
Founder & Editor, Hidden Swimming Holes
Joshua Havens created Hidden Swimming Holes to make it easier for people to find — and safely visit — natural freshwater swimming destinations across the United States. He researches access conditions, water quality resources, and land management rules so you don't have to start from scratch. He holds a strong belief that good outdoor recreation information should be accurate, honest about its limitations, and freely available.
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