# Headwaters State Forest

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> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Headwaters_State_Forest.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headwaters_State_Forest
> Source revision: 1339898840
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

{{Short description|Protected area in North Carolina, United States}}
{{About-distinguish|a North Carolina State Forest|Mississippi Headwaters State Forest}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name            = Headwaters State Forest
| iucn_category   = VI
| iucn_ref        = 
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| map             = USA North Carolina#USA
| image_map       = 
| map_width       = 
| map_caption     = Location of Headwaters State Forest in North Carolina
| relief          = 1
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| location        = [Transylvania](/source/Transylvania_County%2C_North_Carolina), North Carolina, United States
| nearest_city    = 
| nearest_town    = 
| coordinates     = {{coord|35.0967|-82.7356|display=inline,title}}
| coords_ref      = 
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| length          = 
| length_mi       = 
| length_km       = 
| width           = 
| width_mi        = 
| width_km        = 
| area_acre       = 6,730
| area_ref        = <ref name=Headwaters-Website />
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| authorized      = 
| created         = 
| designated      = 
| established     = 2009
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| governing_body  = [North Carolina Forest Service](/source/North_Carolina_Forest_Service)
| administrator   = 
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<!-- website, embedded -->
| website         = [https://www.ncforestservice.gov/headwaters/ Headwaters State Forest]
| module          = 
}}

'''Headwaters State Forest''' is a {{convert|6,730|acre|km2|adj=on}}<ref name=Headwaters-Website /> [state forest](/source/List_of_North_Carolina_state_forests), located in [Transylvania County](/source/Transylvania_County%2C_North_Carolina), [North Carolina](/source/North_Carolina), along the [South Carolina](/source/South_Carolina) state line and is part of a larger 100,000+ acre conservation corridor that stretches some 80 miles along the state line.  The name originates from the fact that the forest contains the headwaters of East Fork of the [French Broad River](/source/French_Broad_River).<ref name=Headwaters-Website /><ref name=Headwaters-FAQ />  The [North Carolina Forest Service](/source/North_Carolina_Forest_Service) primarily manages the forest for water and [soil quality](/source/soil_quality), as well as protecting rare species; however, primitive recreational uses are permitted.<ref name=Headwaters-FAQ />

==History==
The forest was established in 2009 when Congressman [Charles H. Taylor](/source/Charles_Taylor_(North_Carolina_politician)) agreed to sell about {{convert|8,000|acre|km2}} to the state, which was one of the largest remaining tracts of privately held land in [Western North Carolina](/source/Western_North_Carolina).<ref name=Headwaters-March-2015 /><ref name=Forest-to-Open-WLOS />  Over the next 9 years, [The Conservation Fund](/source/The_Conservation_Fund) and [Conserving Carolina](/source/Conserving_Carolina) assisted with the acquisition, by purchasing portions of the property as grants became available, then turning them over to the North Carolina Forest Service.<ref name=Headwaters-March-2015 /><ref name=Forest-to-Open-WLOS /><ref name=Headwaters-Opens-CitTimes />  A small, {{convert|4.8|acre|km2|adj=on}}<ref name=Sassafras-SCPP /> portion of the property around the summit of [Sassafras Mountain](/source/Sassafras_Mountain) was given to the [South Carolina Department of Natural Resources](/source/South_Carolina_Department_of_Natural_Resources) for development of an observation tower at South Carolina's [highest point](/source/List_of_U.S._states_and_territories_by_elevation).<ref name=Sassafras-SCPP />

On September 8, 2018,<ref name=Forest-to-Open-WLOS /><ref name=Headwaters-Opens-CitTimes /> the beginning of [deer season](/source/deer_season),<ref name=Headwaters-Opens-CitTimes /> Headwaters State Forest was opened to the public.

==Recreation==
The forest is open to [hiking](/source/hiking), [hunting](/source/hunting) and [fishing](/source/fishing).<ref name=Headwaters-FAQ />  [Mountain biking](/source/Mountain_biking), [horse back riding](/source/horse_back_riding) and [off-roading](/source/off-roading) are not permitted.<ref name=Headwaters-FAQ />  The NC Forest Service plans on maintaining the forest in a primitive, undeveloped state with few visitor facilities.<ref name=Headwaters-FAQ />

A spur of the [Foothills Trail](/source/Foothills_Trail) follows along the southern boundary of the forest, connecting [Sassafras Mountain](/source/Sassafras_Mountain) to [Caesars Head State Park](/source/Caesars_Head_State_Park) (SC).

There are several waterfalls in the forest, including East Fork Falls, Reece Place Falls and Graveley Falls.<ref name=Headwaters-Opens-CitTimes />

Bursted Rock is regarded as the most scenic vantage point in the forest.

==Nearby state parks==
The following state parks and state forests are within {{convert|30|mi|km|0}} of Headwaters State Forest:
*[Caesars Head State Park](/source/Caesars_Head_State_Park) ([South Carolina](/source/South_Carolina))
*[Devils Fork State Park](/source/Devils_Fork_State_Park) (South Carolina)
*[DuPont State Recreational Forest](/source/DuPont_State_Recreational_Forest) (North Carolina)
*[Gorges State Park](/source/Gorges_State_Park) (North Carolina)
*[Holmes Educational State Forest](/source/Holmes_Educational_State_Forest) (North Carolina)
*[Horsepasture State Natural River](/source/Horsepasture_River) (North Carolina)
*[Jones Gap State Park](/source/Jones_Gap_State_Park) (South Carolina)
*[Keowee-Toxaway State Park](/source/Keowee-Toxaway_State_Park) (South Carolina)
*[Oconee State Park](/source/Oconee_State_Park) (South Carolina)
*[Oconee Station State Historic Site](/source/Oconee_Station_State_Historic_Site) (South Carolina)
*[Paris Mountain State Park](/source/Paris_Mountain_State_Park) (South Carolina)
*[Pisgah View State Park](/source/Pisgah_View_State_Park) (North Carolina)
*[Poe Creek State Forest](/source/Poe_Creek_State_Forest) (South Carolina)
*[Table Rock State Park](/source/Table_Rock_State_Park_(South_Carolina)) (South Carolina)

== See also ==
* [Pisgah National Forest](/source/Pisgah_National_Forest)

== References ==
<references>
<ref name=Headwaters-Website>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncforestservice.gov/headwaters/
| title = Headwaters State Forest
| publisher = North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
| access-date = August 10, 2020
}}
</ref>

<ref name=Headwaters-FAQ>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncforestservice.gov/headwaters/headwatersFAQ.htm
| title = Headwaters State Forest Frequently Asked Questions
| publisher = North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
| access-date = August 10, 2020
}}
</ref>

<ref name=Sassafras-SCPP>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.scpictureproject.org/pickens-county/sassafras-mountain.html
| title = Sassafras Mountain
| publisher = South Carolina Picture Project
| access-date = August 10, 2020
}}
</ref>

<ref name=Headwaters-March-2015>
{{cite news
| last        = Baker
| first       = Park
| date        = March 30, 2015
| title       = More Headwaters State Forest Land To Be Bought
| url         = http://www.transylvaniatimes.com/story/2015/03/30/news/more-headwaters-state-forest-land-to-be-bought-brevard-nc/22137.html
| newspaper   = The Transylvania Times
| location    = Brevard, NC
| access-date = August 10, 2020
}}
</ref>

<ref name=Forest-to-Open-WLOS>
{{cite news
| last        = Bradley
| first       = Rob
| date        = August 30, 2018
| title       = New state forest to open in Transylvania County
| url         = https://wlos.com/news/local/new-state-forest-to-open-in-transylvania-county
| publisher   = [WLOS](/source/WLOS)
| location    = Asheville, NC
| access-date = August 10, 2020
}}
</ref>

<ref name=Headwaters-Opens-CitTimes>
{{cite news
| last        = Chávez
| first       = Karen
| date        = September 7, 2018
| title       = Headwaters State Forest opens with funding through Land and Water Conservation Fund
| url         = https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2018/09/07/headwaters-state-forest-opens-public-transylvania-county/1205972002/
| newspaper   = Citizen Times
| location    = Asheville, NC
| access-date = August 10, 2020
}}
</ref>
</references>

== External links ==
* {{Official website|https://www.ncforestservice.gov/headwaters/}}

{{Protected areas of North Carolina}}

Category:North Carolina state forests
Category:State forests of the Appalachians
Category:Protected areas of Transylvania County, North Carolina
Category:Protected areas established in 2009
Category:2009 establishments in North Carolina

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Headwaters State Forest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headwaters_State_Forest) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headwaters_State_Forest?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.