Trail Guide
Trails through the forest are suited for casual and more serious hikers, with some trails especially enjoyed by equestrian and mountain bike users. The large falls on the Little River offer stunning views while a couple of smaller falls on the Grassy Creek offer variety and solitude.
The Forest is for all users, hikers, mountain bikers & equestrians. Note that bikers yield to everyone and all yields to equestrians. Please follow these courtesy rules. Bikers, please control your speed and look out for others around a curve.
Key Attractions
This page has all attractions in DuPont State Recreational Forest. Each attraction has a link to every access area that is normally used to reach that attraction.
From Key Attraction
For a short waterfall hike:
Hooker Falls
Hooker Falls drops off an 11′ ledge into Cascade Lake further downstream. This waterfalls features an observation deck. Hooker is about a 6 minute walk downstream from the Hooker Falls parking lot.
For beautiful waterfalls:
Triple Falls
The two largest and most popular waterfalls are accessed by walking upstream of the popular Hooker Falls parking lot on Staton Road. Triple Falls is about a 7 minute walk upstream, though the main trail is quite steep as you approach the falls.
High Falls
High Falls is about 15 minutes farther upstream from Triple Falls, on mostly moderate terrain.
It can also be reached by a short walk from the High Falls Access Area.
For an afternoon hike / horseback or mountain bike ride:
Wintergreen Falls
A 20′ cascade on the Grassy Creek, Wintergreen offers solitude on the Henderson County side of the Forest.
Grassy Creek Falls
Grassy Creek Falls spills down a shallow inclined slab not far from the High Falls Covered Bridge.
Lakes
A trip to 99-acre Lake Julia is an excellent hike, horseback, or mountain bike ride with a beautiful spillway nearby. There are picnic tables and a pier at the end of Lake Julia Road.
For mountain biking / hiking with views:
Cedar Rock Mountain
As mountains go, this one is tiny. But the hundreds of acres of exposed granite make this dome a popular destination for cyclists and hikers alike.
Corn Mill Shoals
For an easy ride one can go directly to Corn Mill Shoals with a side trip down the Little River and Nooks Trails.
Ridgeline Trail
Ridgeline Trail is a favorite for mountain bikers. These links will take one on a fantastic ride downhill.
For a longer hike / ride:
Stone Mountain
If you are looking for a little cardiovascular exercise, take the “long route” from Old CCC Rd. up to Stone Mountain, the Forest’s highest point at 3600 ft. The granite dome offers a 180 degree vista over the Forest during spring, summer, and fall, with nearly 360 degree views during the winter. A shorter route is also available off Sky Valley Road.
Bridal Veil Falls
Bridal Veil Falls is perhaps the most unique falls in the State Forest, with a 4′ tall overhanging ledge on the upper section, and a long, shallow whitewater incline along the lower section. Access to Bridal Veil requires a longer hike or ride than other falls.
We thank all visitors for their respectful enjoyment of the trails.
Important Notes:
- Be very careful near waterfalls! Rocks are very slippery. Visitors die every year at waterfalls in the area. The wet rocks are very slippery so stay out of the water.
- Do not block gated entrances with your car.
- Do not cross the marked boundary of DuPont State Recreational Forest. Do not enter restricted property.
- Wear bright colors during hunting season.
- The longer trails are for experienced people with topo maps.
- There are ~90 miles of trails & dirt roads in this area; take proper precautions in case you get lost.
- Contact the webmaster if you discover a problem with these descriptions.
- Keep all dogs on a leash.