About this spot
Stairway Falls is a roughly 50-foot series of stepped cascades on the Horsepasture River, reached via the Rainbow Falls (Grassy Ridge) Trail in Gorges State Park, about a half-mile spur roughly a mile downstream of Rainbow Falls. Multiple trip reports describe boulders damming the base into a deep swimming hole, with rock ledges for lounging. Parking fills quickly at the Grassy Ridge trailhead, so arrive early on weekends. Main hazards: slick, algae-covered boulders and strong current in this Wild & Scenic river section, especially after rain; several other falls on the same river have caused serious injuries, so check flow and footing before entering the water. No fees for day use.
Safety first. Cliff jumping is inherently dangerous and can cause serious injury or death. Conditions — water depth, submerged hazards, and access — change constantly. CliffScout is community-sourced reference information, not a guarantee a spot is safe. Always assess the conditions yourself before jumping, and never jump where you're unsure. You assume all risk.