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North Carolina's newest State Forest is located southeast of Brevard in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The 10,400 acre Dupont State Forest (DSF) offers almost 100 miles of recreational trails traveling to several unique waterfalls, pristine lakes, and other attractions. Some trails pass over large expanses of solid rock on large granite domes. Others twist through the woods, offering more traditional Carolina style. Nearly all trails are multi-use (biking, hiking, and equestrian) and they are well signed and well marked.
There are five main parking areas at DSF: at Guion Farm, Hooker Falls, Buck Forest Gate, Fawn Lake, and Corn Mill Shoals. Each has portable toilet facilities and an information board, displaying good advice for using the area, rules and regulations, events, and a good map.
Be sure to watch the video of the Dupont State Forest Watefalls hike, which would make an excellent introduction to the area and what it has to offer!
Triple Falls in Dupont State Forest
When traveling on granite, watch closely for blazes painted on the rocks and rock cairns (small piles of rocks) to mark the trail. Avoid stepping on moss and fragile vegetation growing between the rock. The moss will die wherever a shoe treads on it even once. Obey all posted signs including property boundaries. Be very careful near waterfalls! Do not block gates when you park, and wear bright colors during hunting season.
Picnic Shelters, some of which have been refurbished, are now available for anyone to use when not reserved and available for reservation for a fee. Hike in and enjoy a rain-free picnic at High Falls, Triple Falls, Lake Dense, or several other locations on the Forest! A reservation includes a limited number of vehicle passes to the shelter. See the Dupont State Forest Map for locations of the picnic shelters.
For more information on other activities at DSF, including maps, recent news and information on volunteer opportunities, visit the DupontForest.com - a fantastic site. Also, pick up a good topographic map of DSF before your hike. These are found at several local outfitters and are provided by Friends of Dupont State Forest for $6.00.
Conservation Road, the most convenient route from High Falls to Bridal Veil Falls, has once again been gated and blocked. DuPont corporation, the Forest's namesake, has once again taken over the industrial facility in the heart of the State Forest for the purpose of cleaning up the polluted site. Until this is finished, and the remainder of the land is transferred to the State, the road will likely remain blocked.
In the center of Dupont State Forest sits a 50+ year old manufacturing facility, originally owned by the Dupont corporation, namesake of the State Forest. The plant has changed hands since, but is no longer being used for manufacturing. Although several companies have attempted to negotiate with the State to perform the necessary environmental cleanup and return the plant to operating condition (thus providing some much-needed jobs to the region), no agreement could be reached in time. Thus, the plant and its outbuildings will most likely be torn down.
This leads to an interesting question: should the land on which the plant sat be part of the State Forest or made into a new State Park? In addition to the plant, there is a recreational lake with a developed campground on its shoreline on this property. Should some buildings & facilities be save'd to be used by the public? A healthy debate has ensued.
To read more, see this Hendersonville Times-News article with links to several other, related articles as well.
Corn Mill Shoals Parking Area:
From Asheville, take I-240 west to I-26 east to the exit for Asheville Airport (exit 9). Head south (right) on NC 280 (4-lane highway) toward Brevard for 16 miles. At the light and intersection with US 64/276, continue straight on the 4-lane (US 64/276). NC 280 ends. Stay on this until downtown Brevard; turn left to follow US 276. Stay on 276 for 10 miles; turn left on Cascade Lake Road, just past Grammy's restaurant. The parking area is about two miles on the left, lined with huge boulders and with an information board in the back of the lot. The Corn Mill Shoals Road trail starts across the road from the parking lot.
Fawn Lake Parking Area:
From Asheville, take I-240 west to I-26 east to the exit for Asheville Airport (exit 9). Head south (right) on NC 280 (4-lane highway) toward Brevard for 16 miles. Turn left on US 64 East and drive 3.7 miles. Turn right on Crab Creek Road. Drive 4.3 miles and turn right on Dupont Road. Take Dupont Road for 5.6 miles until it dead ends. Turn left on Cascade Lake Road (also called Buck Forest Rd. on some maps). After approximately 3 miles, turn left on Reasonover Road. Follow Reasonover for about 2.5 miles to the paved entrance on the left.
Hooker Falls Parking Area (Closest access to Little River Waterfalls):
From Asheville, take I-240 west to I-26 east to the exit for Asheville Airport (exit 9). Head south (right) on NC 280 (4-lane highway) toward Brevard for 16 miles. Turn left on US 64 East and drive 3.7 miles. Turn right on Crab Creek Road. Drive 4.3 miles and turn right on Dupont Road. The road will climb and then begin a long downhill, at the bottom of which is the bridge over the Little River. The parking area is on the right just before the bridge. The trail to Triple and High Falls starts on the other side of the bridge.
Buck Forest Parking Area:
Continue past the Hooker Falls parking area (above) about 1 mile to the
parking area on the left.
Guion Farm Parking Area:
From Asheville, take I-240 west to I-26 east to the exit for Asheville Airport (exit 9). Head south (right) on NC 280 (4-lane highway) toward Brevard for 16 miles. Turn left on US 64 East and drive 3.7 miles. Turn right on Crab Creek Road. Drive 4.3 miles and turn right on Dupont Road. Go 0 .7 miles and turn left onto Sky Valley Road. The parking area is on the right after 1.4 miles.
Locate DSF on the WNC Area Map.
Public camping is not available within Dupont State Forest itself. Please visit one of the recommended private campgrounds below.
Black Forest Family Camping Resort
Located 4 miles from the trailhead at the Dupont State Forest, making it the closest place to DSF to camp. Tent sites as well as RV sites with hookups are available.
http://www.blackforestcampground.com
Big Branch Cabins
Experience the best of a Blue Ridge Mountain getaway in beautiful Brevard, North Carolina! Enjoy our charming mountain cabins and our 12 private, wooded acres, bordered by thousands of acres of forestry land. You'll be just a short distance from Dupont State Forest, Pisgah National Forest, Gorges State Park, and Nantahala National Forest including the spectacular Whitewater Falls, highest in the Eastern US. You can hike the Big Branch trail to stream, or enjoy nature in the surrounding thousands of acres of public forest lands. Our two-bedroom cabins are decorated with unique antiques & include a fully functional kitchen, AC, TV/DVD, bed linens/towels, covered porches, outdoor grills, washer/dryer, and a picnic area.
http://www.bigbranchcabins.com/
For more information on the Dupont State Forest, visit this excellent web site. Get current news, user policy information, maps, and more. Site produced by Friends of Dupont Forest.
