Access Site
NC
Horse Shoe
City: Horse Shoe, NC
County: Henderson County
Type: Boat Ramp
Location: 35.32889430, -82.57535421
Air Temp: --
Location
Interactive access map
Loads when you reach this section.
Nearby Gauge Conditions
Real-time data from USGS Water Services
Whitewater Runs on French Broad River
3 runsDifficulty Classes
I Easy
II Novice
III Intermediate
IV Advanced
V Expert/Extreme
VI Unrunnable
Position relative to this access site:
Put-in at this location
This location is on the run
Take-out at this location
Downstream from here Upstream from here
Downstream from here Upstream from here
I
Downstream from here (12.0 mi to put-in)
Bent Creek to Hominy Creek
6.3 mi
I-III
Downstream from here (20.4 mi to put-in)
6. NC Route 251 to Route 1634
8.6 mi
III-IV
Downstream from here (37.3 mi to put-in)
9. Barnard to Hot Springs
8.2 mi
24 ft/mi
Whitewater data from
American Whitewater
About This Access Site
The Horse Shoe access point is a 1.7-acre river park located on the French Broad River in Henderson County, NC, offering a convenient launch for kayaks, canoes, and small motorboats. Developed in partnership with the NC Wildlife Resource Commission, the facility features parking, a floating pier, and a boat ramp with a 14-percent grade suitable for backing jon boats into 6-7 feet of water. The access is easy to find: turn off US 64 and drive downhill about 100 yards to the parking area and kiosk.
This section of the French Broad River is characterized by slower, shallow waters ideal for paddling—a welcome feature given the river's significant size (8th-order major river draining 5,040 square miles). The surrounding landscape of trees and farmland provides scenic paddling, and the relatively modest gradient in this area makes it manageable for recreation. Nearby camping options include White Pine South Group Camp, Wolf Ford Horse Camp, and Wash Creek Horse Camp, all within 10 miles.
Note that basic facilities are limited due to the sandy floodplain soils; bathrooms and advanced amenities are not available on-site. The Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site is nearby if you're interested in exploring the area beyond the water.
This section of the French Broad River is characterized by slower, shallow waters ideal for paddling—a welcome feature given the river's significant size (8th-order major river draining 5,040 square miles). The surrounding landscape of trees and farmland provides scenic paddling, and the relatively modest gradient in this area makes it manageable for recreation. Nearby camping options include White Pine South Group Camp, Wolf Ford Horse Camp, and Wash Creek Horse Camp, all within 10 miles.
Note that basic facilities are limited due to the sandy floodplain soils; bathrooms and advanced amenities are not available on-site. The Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site is nearby if you're interested in exploring the area beyond the water.
Nearby Recreation Areas
Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site
Located within