DuPont State Forest

Most first-time visitors want to see falling water and DuPont State Forest probably has as much falling water per square mile as any public land in the Southeast. The largest falls are on the Little River, but a couple of smaller falls, like Wintergreen and Grassy Creek Falls on Grassy Creek, offers variety and perhaps more solitude. Listed below are the waterfalls most new visitors hike to on their first visit.

Hooker Falls

Hooker Falls is an easy 5-10 minute walk downstream from the Hooker Falls Access Area. It drops off a 12-foot ledge directly into Cascade Lake. This waterfall features an observation deck. Handicap access and parking are available by reservation.

Triple Falls from the Hooker Falls Access Area

Carefully cross the road and bridge from the Hooker Falls Access Area (watch for traffic), descend the stairs and follow Triple Falls Trail to the falls (bikes and horses should take Galax Trail). It is a 10-15 minute walk to this 150-foot waterfall featuring three cascades. There is a short uphill to the viewing area and picnic shelter. Enjoy the side trail to the river between the second and third cascades.

High Falls from Triple Falls

Continue up the hill from the Triple Falls viewing area and turn left on High Falls Trail at the intersection at the top of the hill. (To the right is Triple Falls Trail to Buck Forest Road.) At the next fork, turn right on High Falls Trail up to the viewing area and picnic shelter. There is a side trail to the base of the waterfall, which is 120 feet high.

Alternate Easy Return to Triple Falls from High Falls

From High Falls, continue up High Falls Trail and turn right on Triple Falls Trail near Buck Forest Road. At the Triple Falls Picnic Shelter, return to the Hooker Falls Access Area by taking Galax Trail. Go under the bridge and turn left to the stairs and cross the highway bridge facing traffic.

High Falls from the Buck Forest Road Access

Take Buck Forest Road; turn left on the Triple Falls Trail and an immediate right on the High Falls Trail.

Covered Bridge

Continue down Buck Forest Road from the Buck Forest Access Area, or from High Falls, go toward Buck Forest Road and turn left on the Covered Bridge Trail. Return to Buck Forest Access Area via Buck Forest Road or to Triple Falls by a right turn on Triple Falls Trail.

Grassy Creek Falls

Grassy Creek Falls is a long, shallow cascade not far from High Falls. From the Buck Forest Access Area, take Buck Forest Road across the Covered Bridge, left on Lake Imaging Road and left on Grassy Creek Falls Trail. As an alternate, from the Lake Imaging Access Area, take Lake Imaging Road and a right on Grassy Creek Falls Trail. Along the way, take a side trip on the Hilltop Trail. In winter, there is a view of the top of High Falls. Return to Lake Imaging Access Area via Locust Trail with left on Isaac Heath Trail and a left on Jim Branch Trail.

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