Triple Falls Trail takes visitors along the beautiful Little River to an overlook of Triple Falls.
Things to know
Visitors should note there is a very steep section to get to the view of Triple Falls.
Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a leash at all times.
Protect our wildlife! Please come prepared to pack in and pack out your trash. There are no trash cans in the forest in an effort to keep the wildlife and visitors safe.
Stone Mountain
The view from Stone Mountain is worth the effort it takes to get there. This 1.5 mile in and out trail, is a steep climb to the tallest point in DuPont Forest.
Things to know
Technically a multi-use trail, we would suggest only experience horseback and mountain bike riders attempt this trail. Hikers – you’ll want your hiking poles for this one.
Stone Mountain is off the beaten path in one of the more remote areas of the Forest. If you are coming from Sky Valley Road please be aware the gravel road is not well maintained – we recommend high clearance vehicles.
Come prepared to pack in and out your trash and keep dogs on leash. Tickets are routinely given to dog owners who ignore this rule.
Rocky Ridge
Rocky Ridge is a 1.5 mile single-track trail a little off the beaten path. Known for its twisty turny switchbacks, it is a popular downhill trail for mountain biking and a popular climb for equestrians and hikers.
Things to know
Please share the trails and practice safe trail etiquette. This is how it works. Mountain bikers yield to everyone. Hikers and runners yield to horses.
Ridgeline Trail
Ridgeline is a one mile single-track trail popular with mountain bikers and equestrians. Known for its flow, it is important to remember it is a multi-use and multi-directional trail.
Things to know
Mountain bikers should control their speed and be prepared to yield to horses and hikers.
Equestrians should communicate with other users about how to safely yield to your horse.
High Falls Loop
High Falls loop is an easy three mile trail that takes you along the Little River to see High Falls and Triple Falls.
Things to know
Take a picnic along and have lunch at the shelters overlooking Triple Falls and High Falls. Please note to protect our wildlife there are no trash cans in the Forest. Please be prepared to pack it in and pack it out. And remember alcohol is prohibited in DuPont Forest.
This is one of the most popular trails in DuPont Forest and parking is first come, first serve. To avoid the crowds, try an early morning or late afternoon hike.
Dogs are welcome, but they need to be on a leash at all times and humans are responsible for removing all poop bags from the Forest. Please and thank you.
Covered Bridge
Sitting above High Falls on the Little River, the Covered Bridge is just .5 miles from the High Falls Access Area.
Things to know
Please note! Absolutely no wading or climbing rocks in this area.
The Covered Bridge was constructed in the late 1990s as part of a planned, gated Cliff’s Community housing project. The founders of Friends of DuPont Forest launched a successful campaign to save the waterfalls from development. When the waterfall corridor (the area that includes Triple Falls, High Falls, and Hooker Falls) became State land, the bridge was included.
Big Rock & Cedar Rock Trail
This 4.5 mile stunning loop provides amazing mountain views and beautiful scenery. Popular with mountain bikers and hikers, Big Rock and Cedar Rock Mountains boast acres of exposed granite creating a very unique Forest experience.
Things to know
Share the trails. This is a multi-use and multi-directional trail. Mountain bikers should control their speed and be prepared to yield to horses and hikers. Equestrians should communicate with other users about how to safely yield to your horse.
Dogs are welcome, but they need to be on a leash at all times and humans are responsible for removing all poop bags from the Forest. Please and thank you.
One of the most scenic hikes in DSRF is to park at the Corn Mill Shoals parking lot on Cascade Lake Road and take Big Rock Trail to the top. There you should turn right onto Cedar Rock Trail to descend. Not too far down Cedar Rock Trail you will see many dinner-plate sized depressions in the rock. These are called panholes. They are formed by various kinds of weathering. One mechanism is that they fill with water that has rotting vegetation in it. This water becomes acidic and eats away at the rock. Winter freezing of the water can also weaken the sides and bottom of the panhole and make them increase in size.
A bit further on the trail opens up to come onto a rock outcrop some hundreds of acres in size. These outcrops are called ‘Southern Appalachian Granitic Domes’ and they occur sporadically only in parts of NC, VA, GA and AL. The rock is not granite. It did start life as granite hundreds of millions of years ago but in the intervening time period it has gone through a metamorphosis and is now categorized as gneiss. DSRF has about 83 of these domes though many of them are quite small.
The moss mats that grow on the domes are a combination of Selaginella Moss (the darker component) and Reindeer Moss (the lighter component). But neither of these are true mosses. Their closest relatives are actually ferns. They are very tough plants. There is virtually no soil under them, they depend entirely on rain run-off for water and they are subjected to winter winds and freezing and hot sun in the summer. They can be hundreds of years old and they recover from abuse very slowly so you should avoid stepping on them.
Lake Dense & Lake Alford
Lake Dense and Lake Alford are off the beaten path. Five-acre Lake Dense has a picnic shelter and fishing dock and a great view of Joanna Mountain.
Things to know
No trash cans; please be prepared to pack in and pack out all of your trash and belongings.
No bathrooms; there is a port-a-potty at the Fawn Lake Access Area.
All pets must be on a physical leash and under control at all times.
Camping is prohibited.
Alcohol and illegal controlled substances are prohibited.
Campfires and cooking fires (charcoal, gas, wood, or other fuel) are not allowed in any part of the Forest.
Fawn Lake
Fawn Lake is a popular swimming hole in hot summer months, located in the southern end of the Forest and 0.5 miles from the Fawn Lake Access Area. There are picnic tables, a gazebo, and a diving dock.
Things to Know
No trash cans; please be prepared to pack in and pack out all of your trash and belongings.
No bathrooms; there is a port-a-potty at the Fawn Lake Access Area.
All pets must be on a physical leash and under control at all times.
Camping is prohibited.
Alcohol and illegal controlled substances are prohibited.
Campfires and cooking fires (charcoal, gas, wood, or other fuel) are not allowed in any part of the Forest.
Wintergreen Falls
One of the smallest waterfalls in DuPont Forest, Wintergreen Falls is a easy 1.25-mile hike from Guion Farm on the Hendersonville side of the Forest.
Things to know
Dogs are welcome, but they need to be on a leash at all times, and humans are responsible for removing all poop bags from the Forest. Please and thank you.
Share the trails. Mountain bikers yield to horses and hikers. Equestrians should communicate with other users about how to safely yield to your horse.
Please note that visitors are prohibited from climbing on rocks or wading above waterfalls. The DuPont Forest waterfalls are awe-inspiring. They are also dangerous.
Triple Falls
An easy to moderate walk along the Little River on High Falls Loop. You can view Triple falls from the overlook or take the stairs (many stairs) for a closer look. Please stay within the barricades to protect yourself and the natural habitats around the falls.
Things to know
The Triple Falls shelter is an excellent place for a picnic overlooking the waterfall. Please be prepared to pack out your trash. In order to protect our wildlife, there are no trash cans in the Forest.
All dogs must be kept on a leash.
High Falls
The largest waterfall in DuPont Forest, High Falls slides 120 feet down a plane of granite. The falls are an easy 0.5-mile walk from the Visitor Center. You can view High Falls from the overlook and take the spur trail to explore the base of the falls.
Things to know
Please note that visitors are prohibited from climbing on rocks or wading above waterfalls. The DuPont Forest waterfalls are awe-inspiring. They are also dangerous.
The High Falls shelter overlooks the waterfall and is an excellent place for a picnic. Please be prepared to pack out your trash. In order to protect our wildlife, there are no trash cans in the Forest.
Bridal Veil Falls
The first falls of the Little River, Bridal Veil is probably the most unique. First, it drops off an overhanging ledge (featured in Last of the Mohicans). Then the water sheets down a long, shallow inclined plane of granite before tumbling into the pool below.
Things to know
Please note that visitors are prohibited from climbing on rocks or wading above waterfalls. The DuPont Forest waterfalls are awe-inspiring. They are also dangerous.
Pack it in, pack it out. Don’t leave your trash on our trails. There are no trash cans in the Forest because they negatively impact our wildlife. Come prepared to take all of our trash home with you.
Grassy Creek Falls
Grassy Creek Falls is 1.3 miles along gravel road from the DuPont Forest Visitor Center. Along the way you will pass the covered bridge at the top of High Falls.
Things to know
Please note that visitors are prohibited from climbing on rocks or wading above waterfalls. The DuPont Forest waterfalls are awe-inspiring but they are also dangerous.
Pack it in, pack it out. Please don’t leave your trash on our trails. There are no trash cans in the Forest because they negatively impact our wildlife. Come prepared to take all of our trash home with you.
Dogs must be kept on a leash, no matter how obedient your dog may be. Tickets are routinely given to dog owners who ignore this rule.
Lake Julia
Lake Julia is the largest lake in DuPont Forest, covering 100 acres. Paddling is allowed but the lake is not accessible by vehicle, so visitors need to portage in their kayak, canoe, or paddle board.
Things to know
No trash cans; please be prepared to pack in and pack out all of your trash and belongings.
No bathrooms.
All pets must be on a physical leash and under control at all times.
Camping is prohibited.
Alcohol and illegal controlled substances are prohibited.
Campfires and cooking fires (charcoal, gas, wood, or other fuel) are not allowed in any part of the Forest.
Lake Julia is the largest impoundment in the DSRF. It has a surface area of 99 acres and a maximum depth of 35 feet.
Gasoline-powered motors are not allowed on the lake, but boats using paddles or oars are allowed.
There is a small dock and a picnic area near the end of Lake Julia Road a few hundred feet past the DuPont ranger headquarters building.
The lake has largemouth bass, bluegill, redbreast and redear sunfish, bullheads, and black crappy. In the past, there were rainbow trout but these seem to have been depleted. Overall, fish productivity in this lake is poor due to a lack of nutrients in the water and lack of woody cover on the bottom, which would provide cover for young fish.
Hooker Falls
While Hooker Falls stands only 12 feet high, its wide drop into a pool creates a beautiful setting and a great spot for splashing around on hot summer days.
Things to know:
Hooker Falls is easy to access, with just a short walk away from the parking area
Campfires and cooking fires (charcoal, gas, wood, or other fuel) are not allowed.
Restrooms and changing rooms are located in the parking lot.
Dogs are welcome, but they need to be on a leash at all times and humans are responsible for removing all poop bags from the Forest. Please and thank you.
Hooker Falls has been known for years to local residents and was named for Edmund Hooker, who operated a mill below the falls in the late 1800s. At the time, it was named Mill Shoals Falls.[1] The Falls was seen in the movie Last of the Mohicans as the falls the characters go over in canoes.
Please be prepared to pack it in and pack it out. To protect our wildlife, trash cans are not available in the Forest.