Dupont State Forest Trail Information

This is your guide to individual trails in Dupont State Forest.

Airstrip

Easy, 1.01mi, Climbs Gently, Some Obstacles

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #1
Lower end of trail is brand-new; winds slowly up the dry slope below the Airstrip on a moderate grade. The rest is the old airstrip itself with a nice view. Not recommended, though, on a hot, sunny day!

Barn

Easy, 0.45mi, Climbs Gently, Some Obstacles

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #2
Travels from the horse barn near Bridal Veil Falls, past the scenic pastures, and uphill past a small creek to join with the Shelter Rock trail near the bottom of the Airstrip trail. Quickest way to get from the airstrip (and Fawn Lake parking area) to Bridal Veil Falls.

Big Rock

More Difficult, 0.84mi, Hilly, Moderately Rough

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #3
Trail is rocky and moderately rough at lower end. Middle part passes over solid granite domes, offering up some nice views of areas within Dupont State Forest and over toward Pisgah. Winds thru dry pine/oak forest near jct. with Cedar Rock trail. Highly recommended.

Boundary

0.3mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #4

Bridal Overlook

Moderate, 0.49mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #5

Bridal Veil Falls Road

0.56mi, Some Hills, Paved/Graveled

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #6
Gravel road occasionally used by forest service vehicles.

Briery Fork

Moderate, 1.47mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #7

Buck Forest Road

Moderate, 3.18mi, Climbs Moderately, Some Obstacles

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #8
Gated, wide, maintained gravel road occasionally used by park and private vehicles (by permit) on the western end down to the Grassy Creek bridge. Rest is an unmaintained old roadbed.

Buckhorn Creek Road

Moderate, 1.14mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #10

Buck Ridge Road

Moderate, 0.72mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #9

Burnt Mountain

More Difficult, 2.20mi, Hilly, Moderately Rough

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #11
Southeast end is mostly on an old road bed, high above the Little River at first. Then switches back and climbs up near the nondescript summit of Burnt Mountain, on and off the old road bed. Steeper on northwest end with some rocks & roots.

Camp Summit Road

Moderate, 0.55mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #12

Cannon Creek

Moderate, 1.36mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #13

Cart

More Difficult, 0.52mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #14

Cascade

Moderate, 0.85mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #15

Cedar Rock

More Difficult, 1.43mi, Hilly, Moderately Rough

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #16
Interesting trail passes over the granitic dome of Cedar Rock Mtn. Although the mountain is small by mountain standards, this trail provides some great views and an interesting environment. There are some rocky sections near the bottom; rest is mostly solid rock with patches of moss and low pine trees on either side of the trail.

Chestnut Oak Road

Moderate, 0.46mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #17

Conservation Road

Easy, 2.61mi, Hilly, Paved/Graveled

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #18
This is a wide, graded, maintained gravel road, which is gated but occasionally used by park vehicles, and private vehicles for visiting the waterfalls (by permit). Passes the old airstrip.

Corn Mill Shoals

Moderate, 2.43mi, Hilly, Some Obstacles

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #19
Old roadbed; no longer maintained. Mostly hardpacked, but some places are rocky, highly eroded, or sandy. Starting from the Corn Mill Shoals parking area, the trail fords the Little River at Corn Mill Shoals. Use extreme caution if you cross here: the rock is EXTREMELY slick (seriously - wet ice grips like sandpaper compared to the slime on these rocks). Beyond the shoals, the path has been re-routed from the old roadbed onto a true trail. It winds up the ridge through a pine-oak forest before re-joining the old roadbed, and then ends at Bridal Veil Falls.

Covered Bridge

Easy, 0.22mi, Few Obstacles

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #20
Connects the High Falls trail to the covered bridge on Buck Forest Road.

Farmhouse

Moderate, 0.56mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #21

Fawn Lake Loop

Easy, 0.60mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #22A

Fawn Lake Road

Easy, 0.74mi, Climbs Gently, Paved/Graveled

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #22
Gravel road occasionally used by vehicles. Scenic; loops around Fawn Lake.

Flat Rock

Moderate, 0.49mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #23

Flatwoods

Moderate, 0.19mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #24

Frank Street

Easy, 0.45mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #25

Galax

Moderate, 0.27mi, Climbs Moderately, Some Obstacles

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #26
Note: This trail was closed in 2010 "until it can be reconstructed". It appears this won't be happening; a replacement trail from Sheep Mountain up to the Triple Falls trail is in the long term plans. Until then, use the Triple Falls trail as an alternative.

Newer, short trail winds up through several switchbacks from the Hooker Falls parking area up the hill to the picnic area at Triple Falls. Named for large amounts of galax which grows on the ground in the woods here. DO NOT CUT SWITCHBACKS!

Grassy Creek

More Difficult, 0.76mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #28

Grassy Creek Falls

Moderate, 0.28mi, Climbs Moderately, Moderately Rough

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #27
Very short; travels down to the falls. Convoluted trail right before you get to the falls with lots of roots and rocks.

Grassy Dam

Moderate, 0.37mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #29

Grassy Meadow

Moderate, 0.83mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #30

Guion

0.52mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #31

Hickory Mountain Loop

Moderate, 1.06mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #32

Hickory Mountain Road

Easy, 2.76mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #33

High Falls

Moderate, 0.73mi, Climbs Moderately, Some Obstacles

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #34
Rocky old roadbed; eroded in places; wet in places. Follows Little River before turning and climbing up to High Falls overlook. Ends at Buck Forest Road as an actual gravel road.

Hilltop Loop

Easy, 0.42mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #35

Holly Road

Easy, 1.22mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #36

Hooker Creek

Moderate, 1.08mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #37

Hooker Falls Road

Easy, 0.25mi, Some Hills, Few Obstacles

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #38
Old roadbed follows Little River to Hooker Falls. Mostly flat; drops a bit right at the falls to reach the base.

Hooker Ridge Road

Moderate, 0.46mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #39

Isaac Heath

Moderate, 0.79mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #40

Jim Branch

1.29mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #41

Joanna Mountain

Moderate, 0.27mi, Hilly, Some Obstacles

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #42
Dead-ends on the backside of Joanna Mountain. Would make a great trail if it traveled to the overlooks on the front of the mountain, but you'll have to bushwhack to get there for now.

Joanna Road

Moderate, 4.24mi, Climbs Moderately, Paved/Graveled

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #43
Upgraded gravel road occasionally used by forest service vehicles.

Lake Dense

Easy, 0.46mi, Some Hills, Few Obstacles

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #44
Short road travels onto the dam which holds back Lake Dense. Highly recommended destination; there are picnic shelters, fishing docks, and plenty of places to hang out and enjoy the lake. Beyond the dam, leads through pine forest to tiny Lake Alford which is spring fed and crystal-clear.

Lake Imaging Road

Moderate, 1.53mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #45
Passes Lake Imaging and winds up at Grassy Creek Falls & Buck Forest Road; popular area for horseback riders.

Lake Julia Road

Easy, 0.4mi, Some Hills, Paved/Graveled

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #46
Gravel road occaionally used by forest service vehicles.

Lake View Loop

Easy, 0.23mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #47

Laurel

Moderate, 0.25mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #49

Laurel Ridge

Moderate, 0.85mi, Few Hills, Some Obstacles

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #48
Nice trail has been re-routed along much of its length. Travels sidehill below the summit of a steep ridge. Mixed hardwood forest.

Little Briery

Moderate, 0.46mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #50

Little River

Moderate, 1.17mi, Climbs Gently, Some Obstacles

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #51
Follows an old roadbed. Mostly smooth with some sand and rocks, and one creek crossing (Tom Creek) with a log bridge. Not much in the way of elevation change. Follows the river in places. Ends at the State Forest boundary above Bridal Veil Falls. The portion beyond the boundary to Bridal Veil Falls is on private property; this trail is mainly used to access the northeastern end of the Cedar Rock trail.

Locust

Moderate, 0.42mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #52

Longside

Moderate, 0.75mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #53

Micajah

Moderate, 0.82mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #54

Mine Mountain

More Difficult, 1.42mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #55

Moore Cemetery Road

Easy, 0.15mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #56

Nooks

Easy, 0.42mi, Some Hills, Some Obstacles

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #57
A little-used trail which dead-ends in the Nooks, a spit of land formed by the Little River's meanderings.

Oak Tree

Easy, 0.51mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #58

Pine Tree

Moderate, 1.58mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #59

Pitch Pine

Moderate, 0.39mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #60

Plantation

Easy, 1.16mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #61

Poplar

Moderate, 0.33mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #63

Poplar Hill Loop

Easy, 1.39mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #62

Reasonover Creek

More Difficult, 3.27mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #64

Ridgeline

More Difficult, 1.21mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #65

Rifle

Moderate, 0.47mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #66

River Bend

Easy, 0.27mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #67

Rock Quarry Road

Easy, 1.27mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #68

Rocky Ridge

More Difficult, 1.26mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #69

Sandy

Easy, 0.55mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #70

Scarlet Oak

Easy, 0.16mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #71

Sheep Mountain

Moderate, 1.55mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #72

Shelter Rock

Easy, 0.62mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #73

Shoal Creek

Moderate, 1.19mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #74

Shoals

More Difficult, 0.44mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #75

Shortcut

Moderate, 0.28mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #76

Stone Mountain

More Difficult, 0.97mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #77

Switchback

Moderate, 0.63mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #78

Table Rock

Moderate, 0.88mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #79

Tarkiln Branch Road

Moderate, 1.39mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #80

Thomas Cemetery Road

Moderate, 1.60mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #81

Triple Falls

Moderate, 1.03mi, Climbs Moderately, Some Obstacles

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #82
Travels from the Hooker Falls parking area up to Triple Falls. Near the parking area the trail is level with a few rocks and wet places; near the falls it climbs very steeply but the surface is mostly smooth.

Turkey Knob Road

Moderate, 1.80mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #83

Twin Oaks

Moderate, 0.93mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #84

Twixt

Moderate, 0.42mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #85

Vista

Moderate, 0.29mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #87

White Pine

Easy, 0.5mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #89

White Pine Loop

Easy, 0.24mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #88

Wilkie

Moderate, 0.36mi

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #90

Wintergreen Falls

More Difficult, 0.52mi, Climbs Gently, Moderately Rough

Other Map ID: Dupont State Forest #91