Lumber River Subbasin

National Wild and Scenic River

The Lumber River is the only North Carolina black-water river to earn federal designation as a national wild and scenic river. The upper river was designated as North Carolina's first recreational water trail in 1978. In 1981, it was established as a national canoe trail, and the lower Lumber River was designated as a state canoe trail in 1984. The persistent interest of the Lumber River Basin Committee and other public interest groups contributed to the park's existence. In 1989, the General Assembly established the Lumber River as a natural and scenic river and also as a state park.