The first thing to remember is the Horsepasture River is not in Gorges State Park - it's on Pisgah National Forest property. The forest service has never provided parking for the waterfalls on the river, even though the river is a popular area. People used to park along Hwy 281 which was not safe. Shortly after Gorges SP was dedicated in 1999, a temporary lot was put on Gorges property not too far down the entrance on 281. This was access to Bearwallow Falls, but more people parked here for the Horsepasture, then walked back out to 281 and down the old road and heavily eroded trail to the river at the top of Turtleback Falls. When Phase 1 of construction began, this lot was closed and there was no official place to park. And yes I know where everyone was parking, but was asked not to post where.
Gorges SP saw fit to provide safe access to the river. The park land already had a lot of old gravel roads and narrower older logging roads that had been used as trails in the past. The park rebuilt an existing old trail that lead from Grassy Ridge Rd down to the Horsepasture at a point between Rainbow and Stairway Falls. The trail leads to the national forest boundary and that's where park maintenance ends. Most people are used to going to Rainbow and Turtleback Falls and the new way is a longer hike than the old way. But, remember that the national forest provides no parking at all. And this way is closer to Stairway Falls which most people didn't bother going to see from the old way. And there's a nice swimming hole with a small falls below Rainbow that you will pass. AND MOST IMPORTANT, you can now park overnight in this lot for camping on the Horsepasture River. You couldn't in the previous lot. Just fill out the registration form at the kiosk and put it in your windshield. Remember that the park locks it's main gate at night so there's no way out once it closes.
And, for now there are no port-o-johns and no facilities at this time. The state budget cut backs won't allow them. So take care of business before you show up!
