The Chattooga River

Chattooga River Gorge

The Chattooga River Gorge is one of the most pristine wilderness areas in the eastern United States. Designated a Wild and Scenic River by congress in 1974, the Chattooga River is characterized by dense forests, undeveloped shorelines, whitewater rapids and multiple waterfalls; it's banks and riverbed riddled with massive boulders and alien rock formations.

Originating in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, the Chattooga flows South through the Nanthahala National Forest for ten miles before crossing the North Carolina border. For the next forty miles the river serves as the boundary between South Carolina and Georgia as it makes it's way South to Lake Tugaloo. Over the course of a mere fifty miles the river descends some 2500 feet in elevation making the Chattooga a whitewater wonderland.



The ten mile stretch of the river that courses through the Nanthahala Wilderness is remote, and the surrounding forest is extremely dense. Few trails lead to the rivers edge and those that do are typically steep descents over slick rocks or loose top soils. Those adventurous souls who are able to make the descent are often rewarded with spectacular scenery, and tempting views up and down the river. Unfortunately, it is often difficult, if not impossible, to move upstream or down while within the gorge. The Chattooga is notorious for it's impenetrable rapids and the encroaching forest leaves little, if any, shoreline to follow.



We entered the gorge through Horse Cove, East of Highlands, N.C. and covered the last three miles to the river via Bull Pen Rd. There are several primitive campsites on Ammons Branch that are accessible from Bull Pen Rd. and the surrounding area is beautiful. Approximately 1.5 miles past Ammons Branch there is an iron bridge which spans the Chattooga. Here, there are short, moderately difficult trails which lead down to the river.


View from the bridge

While not easy to get to, the Chattooga River Gorge is a virtually virgin wilderness; one of the few places in the Eastern United States where you will likely find no trace of human intrusion. We believe it is important to keep it this way, and while we encourage you to explore this area, we ask that you Leave No Trace! Gather your gear, tie on your boots and go!

Hike On!

From Highlands, follow Main Street east out of town. Go approximately 4.5 miles through Horse Cove until ;the pavement ends. Bear right onto Bull Pen Rd. and follow it approximately three miles to the bridge.