Your Guide To DuPont State Recreational Forest
Known for its stunning waterfalls, hiking trails and natural beauty, DuPont State Forest is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
About DuPont State Forest
DuPont State Recreational Forest is a 12,000+ acre forest near Brevard and Hendersonville, NC. It's located in Henderson and Transylvania counties and is home to several impressive waterfalls and hiking trails.
Admission to DuPont is free and offers endless opportunities for exploration and adventure.
You can explore on foot, by bike, or even on horseback. With its stunning waterfalls, scenic trails, and diverse landscapes, DuPont State Forest is a must-visit destination for anyone in the area.
All DuPont State Forest trails are dog-friendly. Dogs must be leashed at all times.
Parking At DuPont State Recreational Forest
There are six parking lots in DuPont located at the following access areas: Lake Imaging, Hooker Falls, High Falls, Corn Mill Shoals, Fawn Lake and Guion Farm.
While several trails are accessible at the same parking area (like the three waterfalls hike), you'll want to plan ahead so you know which parking lot is the best for you.
DuPont Visitor Center
The Aleen Steinberg Visitor Center is located at the High Falls Access Area. It is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm from March 15 to December 31, and on weekends from January 1 to March 14.
The hours of operation for DuPont State Forest are 5 am to 10 pm year-round. Keep in mind the Visitor Center is only open from March through December.
Restrooms At DuPont State Recreational Forest
You'll find restroom facilities located at the Visitor Center in the High Falls Access Area and also at the Hooker Falls Access Area.
DuPont State Recreational Forest History
Originally owned by chemical company DuPont, the land that would become Dupont State Forest was later split and sold to Sterling Diagnostic Imaging and the state of North Carolina. While the state established Dupont State Forest, the remaining 2,000+ acres faced a complex journey before joining the protected forest.
A real estate developer acquired most of this and began putting in roads and the covered bridge. A local environmental group lobbied politicians and other organizations to prevent further development.
Fortunately, the state intervened, utilizing eminent domain to purchase the land. This ensured its preservation for future generations.
Thanks to the state's intervention, Dupont State Forest remains a protected and cherished natural area for all to enjoy.
Where Is Dupont State Recreational Forest Located?
DuPont State Recreational Forest is located in North Carolina, between the towns of Hendersonville and Brevard. It's 35 miles south of Asheville.
From Brevard/Pisgah Forest, NC: take US-64 through Penrose and turn south on Crab Creek Road.
From Hendersonville: take Kanuga Road south from downtown Hendersonville. It eventually turns into Crab Creek Road.
Both Directions: Turn onto DuPont Road following signs for DuPont State Forest
DuPont State Recreational Forest is renowned for its abundance of waterfalls and variety of hiking trails suited for different levels and interests. Below are some of the most popular waterfalls to explore.
High Falls
GuideTriple Falls
Guide
Hooker Falls
GuideWant to see all three of the above waterfalls in a day? Check out our guide to the Three Waterfalls Hike.
Other DuPont Waterfalls
Wintergreen Falls is the smallest waterfall in Dupont Forest. It's located at the Guion Farm access and is a 1.25-mile hike from there.
Grassy Creek Falls is past the covered bridge found at the top of High Falls. It's a less popular trail because it's a lesser-known waterfall and many forest visitors only visit the more popular waterfalls. The rock face at Grassy Creek Falls is more of a cascade than a sheer drop. It's definitely worth a visit, especially if you want to escape crowds!
Bridal Veil Falls is a gorgeous waterfall with several flat areas where you can picnic. Bridal Veil Falls was featured in both The Last Of The Mohicans and Hunger Games.
Mountain Biking In Dupont
Mountain Biking is allowed on some DuPont Forest's trails and these are marked accordingly. Please keep in mind that bicyclists must yield to pedestrians and equestrians in DuPont State Forest.
The more popular trails like Triple Falls and High Falls can get really busy with foot traffic and do not allow bikes.
If you'd like to mountain bike in Dupont State Recreational Forest, consider parking at Corn Mill Shoals, Fawn Lake or Guion Farm. You can also park at Lake Imaging, though it's a popular area and serves as overflow parking for Hooker Falls.
Please note that electric bikes are not allowed on any trails.
Movies Filmed At Dupont Forest
Movie buffs will love that DuPont State Recreational Forest was featured as the backdrop for two hit films. The first was The Last of the Mohicans in 1992, and it was later used again for the 2012 hit The Hunger Games.
The Hunger Games river scene where Katniss finds an injured Peeta was filmed at the base of Triple Falls. The forest fire scene was filmed along Camp Summit Road. Don't worry, there was no harm done! The final scene shot at DuPont was done at nearby Bridal Veil Falls.
DuPont Canteen
The DuPont Canteen (also called DuPont Kanteen) is a local ice cream shop and eatery just outside DuPont State Forest. They have several flavors of Hershey ice cream, hot dogs, giant pretzels, local craft beer, cider and more.
It's a great stop to fuel up after a morning exploring the Forest. They have an outdoor covered patio restrooms, complimentary Wi-Fi, and even ice available for purchase.
The DuPont Canteen is open daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day from noon to 8 pm. Their hours shift to noon to 6 pm during the off-season.
Leashed pets are allowed at DuPont Canteen.
Articles About DuPont State Recreational Forest
