DuPont State Forest, made famous as the setting for the movies The Hunger Games and The Last of the Mohicans, is home to amazing waterfalls, mountain lakes and hiking trails. DuPont State Forest is located in Western North Carolina near the South Carolina state line, and is less than an hour drive (40 miles) south of Asheville.
Choose from 86 miles of trails in the 10,000-acre forest. While most people visit DuPont to hike, it's also one the Asheville area's best places for mountain biking.
We hiked at least 8 miles to see the 5 waterfalls:
1. High Falls — A half mile from Triple Falls, you'll find High Falls. High Falls is the tallest waterfall in DuPont State Forest as it drops 150 feet. There is an overlook on the trail that provides a great view of the falls, especially when the leaves are off the trees in late fall and winter. Or, add another half mile to your adventure on a spur trail to reach the base of the falls. The trail to High Falls can be accessed by either the Hooker Falls or High Falls parking areas.
2. Bridal Veil Falls — This 120-foot waterfall is a 4-mile round trip hike from the High Falls Parking Area. Bridal Veil Falls doesn't have a dramatic drop like the others, instead it rushes over a sloped rock.
3. Grassy Creek Falls is a 50-foot sliding waterfall on Grassy Creek in Transylvania County, North Carolina. The hike to the falls is about four miles. round trip and moderate in difficult. The closest trail head starts at the Visitors Center on Staton Road (DuPont Road)
4. Hooker Falls — Just a one-mile round trip hike from the parking area of the same name, Hooker Falls is easy to explore. While the falls is only 12 feet high, it's a wide waterfall, creating a beautiful pool that is a popular swimming hole on warm days.
5. Triple Falls — In the other direction from the parking area from Hooker Falls, Triple Falls is also just a one-mile round trip hike. This unique waterfall features three cascades that drop a total of 120 feet! A short detour off the trail down a series of stairs takes you to a large, flat rock area just above the third cascade. It's a great spot for a picnic.
