The Horsepasture River is an 18.1 miles (29.1 km) National Wild and Scenic river in the U.S. state

U.S. state

A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...

s of North Carolina

North Carolina

North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...

 and South Carolina

South Carolina

South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...

. The river rises in Jackson County, North Carolina

Jackson County, North Carolina

Jackson County is a county located in the southwest of the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of 2010, the population was 40,271. Since 1913 its county seat has been Sylva, replacing Webster.-History:...

, and flows through the Jocassee Gorges area and ends at Lake Jocassee

Lake Jocassee

Lake Jocassee is a , deep reservoir located in northwest South Carolina created by the state in partnership with Duke Power in 1973. The lake is commonly known for the clean and cold Appalachian mountain rivers that feed the lake to keep its waters cool and clear water visibilities year-round. ...

 in South Carolina

South Carolina

South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...

. Some of the land over which the river flows is part of the Pisgah National Forest

Pisgah National Forest

Pisgah National Forest is a National Forest in the Appalachian Mountains of western North Carolina. It is administered by the United States Forest Service, part of the United States Department of Agriculture. The Pisgah National Forest is completely contained within the state of North Carolina...

, making it accessible to the public.

North Carolina designated 4.5 miles of the river as Horsepasture State Natural River in 1985, including it in the state's Natural and Scenic Rivers System. The State River is between NC-281

North Carolina Highway 281

North Carolina Highway 281 is a primary state highway in the state of North Carolina. The highway runs north–south, connecting communities in western Jackson County and scenic areas of southwest Transylvania County...

 and the state line.

The Horsepasture River features several significant waterfalls in close proximity to one another. The named falls are:

• Drift Falls
  Drift Falls
  Drift Falls, also known as Bust-Yer-Butt Falls and Driftwood Falls, is a waterfall located in the Pisgah National Forest in Transylvania County, North Carolina.-History:Drift Falls flows on the Horsepasture River in the Jocassee Gorge. The falls is an 80-ft...
  
  
• Turtleback Falls
  Turtleback Falls
  Turtleback Falls, also called Umbrella Falls, is a waterfall in Western North Carolina, located near Brevard. The falls is located on the Horsepasture River. It is on Pisgah National Forest land just outside Gorges State Park.-Geology:...
  
  
• Rainbow Falls
  Rainbow Falls (Horsepasture River)
  Rainbow Falls is a waterfall in Western North Carolina, located near Brevard. The falls is located on the Horsepasture River. It is on Pisgah National Forest land just outside Gorges State Park.-History:...
  
  
• Stairway Falls
• Sidepocket Falls
• Windy Falls

External links