Bridal Veil Falls – DuPont State Forest – 2024 Hiking Guide
Hike past picturesque mountain lakes and over an abandoned airstrip to a cascading waterfall.
This guide shares everything to know about hiking to Bridal Veil Falls from the Fawn Lake Access area in DuPont State Forest. From parking tips to trail details and what to expect along the way, this comprehensive guide shares all.
Bridal Veil Falls Quick Facts
Trailhead location: DuPont State Forest – Fawn Lake Access
Trail length: 5.7 mile loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation change: ~300ft
Distance from downtown Asheville: 45 miles
Drive time from downtown Asheville: 1 hour
Trail Condition: The trail is a mix of forest service road and dirt forest trails all of which are well-maintained.
What You’ll Find In This Article
About The Trail
This hike takes you past several points of interest including Bridal Veil Falls, a popular waterfall in DuPont State Forest, Fawn Lake, Lake Julia and an old airstrip with long-range views.
There are several options for hiking to Bridal Veil Falls. Below you’ll find details on the trails that get you there from the Fawn Lake Access Area.
What To Expect On The Trail
This Bridal Veil Falls hike follows easy to moderately difficult trails.
The trails used are primarily wide and well-maintained dirt and gravel paths. There are a few spots with moderate climbs in elevation.
Along the way, you will pass through the lush forest while seeing these points of interest:
- Fawn Lake
- Abandoned Summit Airstrip
- Bridal Veil Falls
- Lake Julia
Want to experience more? Check out our guide to three waterfalls in DuPont that details how to visit High Falls, Triple Falls and Hooker Falls in one outing.
Directions To DuPont State Forest’s High Falls
The trailhead for this hike to Bridal Veil Falls is at the Fawn Lake Access Area in DuPont State Forest. To reach DuPont State Forest from Asheville follow these directions.
Follow US 64 toward Penrose
Turn South onto Crab Creek Road
Turn onto DuPont Road following signs for DuPont State Forest
Follow DuPont Road for about 5.5 miles before turning left onto Cascade Lake Road
Follow Cascade Lake Road for about 2.4 miles before turning left onto Reasonover Road just before reaching the town of Cedar Mountain
Follow Reasonover Road for about 2.8 miles and turn into the Fawn Lake Access Area on the left
Parking for Bridal Veil Falls
The hike to Bridal Veil Falls begins at the Fawn Lake Access Area. A large parking lot is available in this area, but it can fill up at popular times. We recommend going early during peak season (by 9 am) to avoid crowds.
You will find portable restrooms at the Fawn Lake Access Area. There are no permanent facilities in this parking area. The nearest permanent facilities are at the High Falls Access Area.
Bridal Veil Falls Hike
The trails that lead you to Bridal Veil Falls offer a diverse range of environments and points of interest. You’ll see pristine mountain lakes and a beautiful cascading waterfall. You can also take in the views from the end of an old airstrip.
The hike is moderate in difficulty. The majority of the hike is relatively easy, though, with some moderate sections near the waterfall.
This hike follows portions of the following trails:
- Fawn Lake Road
- Conservation Road
- Airstrip Trail
- Shelter Rock Trail
- Corn Mill Shoals Trail
- Bridal Veil Falls Road
- Lake Julia Road
- Camp Summit Road
Bridal Veil Falls Trailhead
The trailhead begins at the Fawn Lake Access Area. From the information board, follow the sign to the left for Fawn Lake Road.
Be sure to grab a map of DuPont National Forest from the Visitor Center.
Hike to Fawn Lake
The first leg of this hike will take you to Fawn Lake where you can admire the pristine mountain water.
From the Fawn Lake Access Area follow Fawn Lake Road to the left. You will hike along a relatively flat gravel road until you emerge from the woods at Fawn Lake.
Here you will see the picturesque mountain lake on your right with a gazebo and swimming dock. It’s a great spot to take a break along your hike.
Hike to Summit Airstrip
The second leg of this hike will take you to an abandoned airstrip with breathtaking views.
From Fawn Lake, you will continue along Fawn Lake Road in an open area between the lake and the cleared power utility’s right of way.
You will enter the forest again at the lake’s far end. You will emerge from the woods and pass under the power lines before entering trees again. After a few more steps you will reach Conservation Road.
Take Conservation Road to the left. Follow Conservation Road until you reach the Airstrip. Walk down the length of the airstrip until you reach the lookout.
From here you will have a long-range view toward the north and can even spot. You can even spot Mount Pisgah on a clear day.
Hike to Bridal Veil Falls
For the next leg of this hike, you will descend into the forest and hike to the base of Bridal Veil Falls.
From the Airstrip Overlook, walk back to the end of the paved airstrip and follow the signs to the right for the Airstrip Trail. You will enter the woods and follow a packed dirt path with several switchbacks as you descend about 200 feet.
At the end of the Airstrip Trail, you will reach Shelter Rock Trail. Turn left onto Shelter Rock Trail. You will cross over several small creeks before reaching Corn Mill Shoals Trail. Turn right onto Corn Mill Shoals Trail.
Follow this trail to its end where it will reach Bridal Veil Falls Road. Turn left and you will see the Bridal Veil Falls Viewing Platform after a few steps.
From here you can see the top of the falls and the large rock face that the waterfall cascades down.
Continue on the trail past the viewing platform until you reach the trail’s end. From here you can explore the base of the Bridal Veil Falls Waterfall.
This is a great spot to relax and have a picnic. Beware that the rock can be wet and slippery and can be very dangerous.
Hike to Lake Julia
The fourth leg of this hike will take you past equestrian facilities to Lake Julia
From Bridal Veil Falls, follow the Bridal Veil Falls Road back the way you came. Continue straight on Bridal Veil Falls Road where you previously turned onto it from Corn Mill Shoals Road.
You will pass the Barn Trail on your right and see a large barn and fenced pasture and corrals.
Once you reach the end of Bridal Veil Falls Road, turn right onto Conservation Road. Follow Conservation Road until you see a sign for Lake Julia Road on your right.
As you follow this road you will see Lake Julia through the trees below on your left.
The road descends to the banks of Lake Julia where you will find picnic tables and a small dock. You’ll see several buildings in this area that were part of the former Camp Summit summer camp.
Hike back to Fawn Lake Access Area
From here you will backtrack up Lake Julia Road until you see a sign for Camp Summit Road on your left. Turn left onto Camp Summit Road. This trail will take you back to the start of the Airstrip.
You can hike back to the Fawn Lake Parking lot the way you came via Fawn Lake Road. You’ll pass by Fawn Lake again if you do this.
Alternatively, you can take Conservation Road back to the Fawn Lake Access Area.
Know Before You Go
The parking lot at the Fawn Lake Access Area can fill up so try to arrive early during peak seasons.
Use caution when exploring the waterfall area as rocks can be slick. Never try to climb to the top of the waterfall.
