Dupont State Forest - Hooker Falls - Hiking trail near Brevard, North Carolina, United States - Description

DuPont State Forest contains 10,400 acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina. Elevations range from 2,240 feet at Cascade Lake to 3,620 feet at the peak of Stone Mountain. Little River runs through the forest, with four major waterfalls along its course. The forest also contains five lakes. The largest is 99-acre Lake Julia. The forest has over 80 miles of roads and trails that are shared by hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians.

Habitats within the forest include Upland oak forests, cove forests, granite domes, riparian areas, mountain bogs, small wildlife openings, lakes, streams and the Little River.

The hike:

From the trailhead parking lot follow the Hooker Falls Road along the Little River to Hooker Falls. To return to the parking area, return on the same path.

The 10,400 acre DuPont State Forest is located in Henderson and Transylvania Counties between the towns of Hendersonville and Brevard.

To reach the forest from Asheville, take I-26 east toward the Asheville Airport. Exit at the Airport (exit 40) and head south on NC-280 for about 16 miles. Turn left onto US -64 (heading east) for about 4 miles. In Penrose, turn right onto Crab Creek Road for about 4 miles to DuPont Road. Turn right on DuPont Road and continue for 3.1 miles.

To reach the forest from Brevard, take US 276 south to Cedar Mountain and turn left on Cascade Lake Road. Continue on Cascade Lake road for 2.5 miles, then turn right on Staton Road/DuPont Road. Continue on Staton Road/DuPont Road for 1.5 miles until you reach the Buck Forest access area.

To reach the forest from Hendersonville, take US 25 Business (Church Street) south to Kanuga Road. Turn right on Kanuga Road, which becomes Crab Creek Road, and go 11 miles. Turn left on DuPont Road and continue for 3.1 miles.

For internet mapping or turn-by-turn GPS, enter the intersection of Staton Road and Cascade Lake Road. From there, head northeast on Staton Road for 1.5 miles until you reach the Buck Forest access area.