Dense Lake in Dupont State Forest

Dupont State Forest

Hours: 5:00a - 10:00p

Admission: Free

Parts of the movies "The Hunger Games" and the "Last of the Mohicans" were shot in Dupont Forest.

Dupont State Recreational Forest covers an area of 10,400 acres and is located about half-way between Hendersonville and Brevard. It provides over 80 miles of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails throughout the forest. Dupont State Forest is one of North Carolina's Best mountain biking and horseback riding areas.

In addition, swimming, canoeing, and kayaking are allowed were permitted. There are six scenic waterfalls in Dupont Forest; Triple Falls, High Falls, Hooker Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Grassy Creek Falls, and Wintergreen Falls. There are also five lakes in Dupont Forest. The largest is 99 acre Lake Julia.

The Visitor Center and restrooms are located at the High Falls parking area. There are also restrooms and changing rooms for swimming at Hooker Falls parking area. There are plenty of spots for picnics.

Getting to the waterfalls can require a short hike of about 1/4 mile for Hooker Falls and about 3 miles for Bridal Veil Falls. Hooker Falls is the most popular because of the easy access. Next would be High Falls and Triple Falls. They require a moderate hike on easy trails. Bridal Falls is beautiful but requires the longest hike; nearly all of it being on gravel roadbeds.

Park in the Hooker Falls parking lot to reach Hooker Falls. Park in the Buck Forest Parking parking lot to reach High Falls, Triple Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls.

Take a short drive to the Corn Mills Shoals parking lot to hike to Cedar Rock Mountain for a panoramic view atop hundreds of acres of exposed granite. Cedar Rock Mountain is a popular destination for mountain bikers.

Mountain bikers will find many bike trails ranging from easy forest roads to fast, exciting single tracks. About 10 miles from Dupont Forest, bikers can find many more challenging trails in Pisgah Forest.