With 10,000 acres of protected land, 86 miles of multiuse trails, mountain views, swimming lakes, and some of the most beautiful waterfall hikes near Asheville, DuPont State Recreational Forest is a favorite destination for outdoor lovers. 

The best part? It’s only 40 miles south of Asheville, and there is no admission fee – although you can always make a donation.

Although the hike that takes you to Hooker Falls, Triple Falls, and High Falls is one of the main attractions, there are also great opportunities for biking, horseback riding, fishing, lakeside picnicking, and enjoying views from mountaintops. Swimming is one of the most fun things to do in DuPont State Forest, with the best spots being the five small, peaceful lakes and Hooker Falls. 

Here is a list of some of the best things to do in DuPont State Recreational Forest, from hiking to waterfalls to splashing around in swimming holes. Stay safe and have fun! 

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through one of our links we may earn a small commission (don’t worry, it’s at no extra cost to you).

A Guide to DuPont State Forest: Waterfalls, Hikes and More!

1. Hike to Hooker Falls, Triple Falls and High Falls 

This scenic 2.2-mile trail (each way) follows the Little River upstream and takes hikers to Hooker Falls, Triple Falls, and High Falls, some of the most beautiful waterfalls near Asheville. You’ll enjoy every minute of this family-friendly hike because it offers many opportunities to play by the water, swim, and picnic on the rocks.

Park at Hooker Falls Access Area to start your waterfall hunt. After walking for 0.4 miles, you’ll reach Hooker Falls, which drops only 12 feet, but it’s 75 feet wide, creating a calm pool perfect for swimming.

From there, hike for 0.1 miles and get to the 125-foot three-tier Triple Falls, which was featured in “The Hunger Games.” For those of you familiar with the movies, this is where Katniss finds an injured Peeta camouflaged behind a mud mask. Triple Falls was also featured in the classic film “The Last of the Mohicans.” 

After taking hundreds of photos, keep hiking to High Falls, the largest waterfall in DuPont State Forest, dropping 150 feet, with a photogenic covered bridge at the top offering excellent views. You can also access High Falls through the 1.3-mile Grassy Creek Falls trail starting at the Guion Farm Parking Area. This gravel road is very popular among cyclists.

Another option is to start this hike to spot three waterfalls at the High Falls Access Area, which will lead you to Triple Falls and Hooker Falls, but also to Bridal Veil Falls. Whichever trail you choose, checking out these waterfalls is one of the best things to do in DuPont Forest.

There are two main accesses (Hooker Falls and High Falls) and many smaller parking areas. They all have restrooms or porta-potties. If you want to enjoy Hooker Falls’ swimming hole, you can park at the Hooker Falls Access Area, with restrooms and changing rooms. 

If you are going for High Falls, Triple Falls, or Bridal Veil Falls, the High Falls Access Point might be a better option, although you can connect to these waterfalls by hiking from the Hooker Falls Access as well. 

2. Seek Out Beautiful Bridal Veil Falls 

The base of Bridal Veil Falls was also featured in “The Hunger Games,” in the scene where Katniss cools down after suffering burns. This waterfall is only 10 feet high and drops over a sloped rock, but it’s one of the highlights of any visit to DuPont State Forest.

Bridal Veils is the first fall of Little River and was also featured in “The Last of the Mohicans,” where one of the characters walks under one of the rock ledges and stands behind the 10-foot waterfall.

The 4.7-mile out-and-back trail is considered easy and consists of mostly flat gravel roads, so it’s perfect for cyclists. You can also access Bridal Veil Falls from the Fawn Lake Access Area and combine it with other hikes like High Falls and Lake Julia.

3. Go Lake-Hopping

This part of the forest is lesser-known and more rustic and offers a combination of gravel roads, dirt roads, and traditional wooded trails perfect for hiking, biking, or horseback riding. There are small lakes where you can picnic, fish, splash in the summer, or read a book in a soothing environment. 

You can start at the Fawn Lake Parking Area and hike to Fawn Lake, a small reservoir and famous swimming hole with picnic tables, a gazebo, and a diving dock. Keep going on the trail to beautiful Lake Julia, the largest lake in DuPont Forest (100 acres) and an excellent spot for picnicking and cooling down.

Another option is parking at the High Falls Access Area and taking the 2.2-mile Three Lakes Trail to Lake Dense (which offers great views of Joanna Mountain reflected on the water), Lake Alford, and Lake Julia. 

You can use your kayak, canoe, or paddleboard at Lake Julia, but you’ll have to carry it since no vehicles can access this part of the DuPont State Forest.

These are easy, family-friendly hikes with fun opportunities to play by the water, walk on fishing decks, and relax. Keep in mind that some trails are multi-use, so you’ll have to watch out for bikers and horses. Another plan is to combine these trails with other hikes to see the waterfalls in DuPont State Forest.

4. Enjoy the Views from Stone Mountain 

While the hike to see DuPont State Forest’s waterfalls is very popular and attracts thousands of visitors, there are other great hiking trails, including the Stone Mountain Summit Trail leading to Stone Mountain’s bald top and the forest’s highest point (3,620 feet).

The 1.5-mile in-and-out trail goes up the mountain. It can be strenuous for some folks, although the rewarding mountain views and wildflowers on this hike will make you forget about the steep rocky climb.

5. Enjoy Peace and Quiet at Wintergreen Falls 

Also accessible from Guion Farm Parking Area, this small waterfall is a lovely sight. This 3-mile round-trip hike takes you downhill to a series of cascades to finally reach Wintergreen Falls on Grassy Creek.

While this waterfall only drops 20 feet, it offers a less crowded and more peaceful scene. You’ll have to walk uphill on the way back.

6. Challenge Yourself on Big Rock Trail

This 4.5-mile loop hike in DuPont State Forest offers an exciting, challenging route and super scenic views. It starts at the Corn Mill Shoals parking lot, where you’ll take the Big Rock Trail, which is also very popular among seasoned cyclists.

You’ll love the rock formations and the mostly bald granite dome, which is covered in mats of moss and offers scenic views. Most of the mats are very spongy, but please don’t step on them. They have no soil underneath and it takes them a lot of time to recover from abuse.

When to Visit DuPont State Recreational Forest

The park is open daily from 5 am to 10 pm and receives an astonishing one million visitors yearly. Hence, it can get hectic sometimes, with July, August, and October being the busiest months. 

The North Carolina Forest Service recommends visiting DuPont Forest on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays before 10 am or after 3 pm to enjoy a quieter experience.

Things to Know Before Visiting DuPont State Recreational Forest

As I said, there are miles of trails in DuPont State Forest, many multiuse. Most of the trails connect, so it’s easy to plan your route. Make sure you stay on the trails and read the proper etiquette for shared trails detailed at the trailhead. Check out this map of the forest to see all the trails, access points, and parking spots.

Leashed dogs are welcome in DuPont Forest, and please remember that drinking water and trash disposal are limited. Camping, campfires, and cooking fires (charcoal, gas, wood, or other fuel) are not permitted. However, camping and cooking are allowed at Pisgah National Forest, 15 miles away. There are no concessions on-site.

Have fun planning your adventure and as always, when in nature, follow the Leave No Trace Principles to minimize negative human impact. Follow Friends of DuPont State on Instagram to get updates and learn about events, like guided hikes, and see the cutest footage of wild animals!

There you have it! 6 fun things to do in DuPont State Recreational Forest. Do you have anything to add to this list? Let us know in the comments below.