{{Use American English|date=February 2026}} {{No footnotes|date=January 2012}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}} {{Infobox waterfall | photo = fls-turtle-flip.gif | photo_caption = Although dangerous, Swimming is a popular activity at Turtleback Falls | name = Turtleback Falls | location = Horsepasture River, Pisgah National Forest, Blue Ridge Mountains, Transylvania County, North Carolina | type = Cascade | height = {{Convert|20|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} | number_drops = 1 | coords = {{coord|35.0922|-82.9663}} }}
'''Turtleback Falls''', also called Umbrella Falls, is a waterfall in Western North Carolina, located near Rosman. The falls is located on the Horsepasture River in the Pisgah National Forest. The falls is usually accessed by a hike starting in Gorges State Park which passes through Pisgah National Forest property.
Turtleback Falls is a popular place for swimming and people frequently slide over the falls into the Chug Hole during low water; however, the currents can be dangerous in higher flows and people have drowned at Turtleback, or have been swept downriver and over 125' Rainbow Falls.
==Geology== The falls has a large, deep pool at the bottom commonly known as the "Chug Hole". The river flows over a large, sloping slab of rock before curving steeper and finally dropping into the pool. The appearance of the rock, similar to a turtle's shell, gives the falls its name.
==Nearby waterfalls== *'''Little Falls''' - located on private property upstream from Drift Falls *'''Narrows Falls''' - located in a gated community upstream from Drift Falls *'''Rock House Falls''' - 55-ft falls located on private property on Burlingame Creek, a tributary of the Horsepasture River *Rainbow Falls *Drift Falls *Stairway Falls *Sidepocket Falls *Windy Falls
==See also== * List of waterfalls * List of waterfalls in North Carolina
== Notes== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.ncwaterfalls.com/horse1.htm Turtleback falls on NCWaterfalls.com] *{{cite book|url=http://www.ncparks.gov/About/plans/gmp/gorg/2005/Operations.pdf|title=Gorges State Park General Management Plan|chapter=VIII. Operations Issues|publisher=N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation|date=January 2005|format=PDF}}
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Category:Protected areas of Transylvania County, North Carolina Category:Waterfalls of North Carolina Category:Pisgah National Forest Category:Waterfalls of Transylvania County, North Carolina