Gorges State Park is location on NC281 South, less than a mile from the intersection with US64 in Lake Toxaway. One of the highlights of Gorges State Park is Toxaway Falls, which you will drive over is you’re coming to Gorges from Brevard NC. Another of the prime draws for Gorges State park is the Rainbow Falls Trail and Rainbow Falls. Rainbow Falls is without a doubt the biggest draw in Gorges and the waterfall isn’t even in Gorges. None of the five names falls on the hike are. While the trailhead is in Gorges about a mile from the visitor center, the waterfalls are in Pisgah Forest. Less than a mile into the hike you will pass a sign letting you know you are leaving Gorges State Park. Gorges offers numerous opportunities for hiking and mountain biking in a wilderness setting.
Gorges has so many amazing waterfalls, and exactly all of them except for one require you to hike off-trail or hike out the Gorges, and the one you can hike to has a hike that ends at a deck that offers a lousy view of an otherwise amazing waterfall. If you plan on exploring in Gorges off of the main trails, make sure you are prepared. You don’t have to go very far at all before you are in the middle of nowhere. There is a lot of rugged and remote terrain and when there isn’t a trail, it’s easy to get lost. If you’re not experienced in hiking off trail, this isn’t the place to learn. I use a cellphone with the All-Trails to chart my progress, but I have a paper map and I’m not afraid to use it.
Bearcamp Falls (Hilliard)
Sidepocket Falls
Upper Maple Springs Branch Falls
When you enter into Gorges State Park make sure to stop in the visitor’s center before you head to the trails. It is a beautiful place with loads of information about the park and the surrounding area. You can also grab a trail map while you’re there. I can’t stress enough the importance of having a map and knowing where you’re going in Gorges.