Hike gorgeous DuPont State Forest waterfalls, High Falls, Hooker Falls, and three waterfalls at Triple Falls
The DuPont State Forest Three Waterfalls Hike is a highly popular, family-friendly trail near Asheville, North Carolina, that showcases three of the region’s most spectacular cascades along the Little River. Typically stretching between three to 4.5 miles depending on your starting point, this moderate, well-maintained gravel path delivers an incredible amount of scenery for relatively little effort. Hikers can marvel at High Falls, a towering 150-foot drop crowned by a scenic wooden covered bridge, before moving downstream to the dramatic, 120-foot multi-tiered drop of Triple Falls—famed for its appearances in major films like The Hunger Games and The Last of the Mohicans. The journey concludes at Hooker Falls, a wide, symmetrical 12-foot cascade that drops cleanly into a deep basin, making it one of the area’s premier natural swimming holes during the summer months. Because of its stunning visual rewards and accessibility, this classic Blue Ridge mountain trek draws large crowds, making early morning or weekday visits ideal for those seeking a more tranquil waterfall-chasing experience
🥾Core Waterfall Extensions
If you want to stay focused on water features but want a longer day on the trail, these are the most seamless branches to take from the High Falls and Triple Falls areas:
The Four Falls & Covered Bridge Loop (7.3 Miles): By continuing past High Falls over the High Falls Covered Bridge onto Buck Forest Road and Conservation Road, you can reach Bridal Veil Falls. This extension turns your hike into a 7.3-mile challenge. Bridal Veil is a spectacular 120-foot tiered cascade with a unique overhanging ledge that famously appeared in The Hunger Games and The Last of the Mohicans.
- Grassy Creek Falls detour (Adds ~1.5–2 Miles): If you prefer a quieter escape away from the heavy main crowds, branch off near the covered bridge toward Grassy Creek Falls. This is a gentle, multi-level 60-foot wide rockslide. It is highly valued as a serene, low-effort addition that provides an excellent spot to sit on boulders and have a quiet lunch.
🥾 Scenic Lakes & Secluded Forests
If you want a change of pace from rushing rivers and prefer quiet woodland paths, try branching into these loops:
Wilkie, Tower, and Twixt Loop (3.1-Mile separate or linked loop): If you want to experience the western, lesser-traveled side of DuPont, this moderate route can be accessed via the Corn Mill Shoals area. It trades the crowded gravel service roads for winding singletrack paths through a dense “enchanted pine forest” and rhododendron thickets, culminating in expansive mountain vistas from the open granite face of Rocky Bald.
Three Lakes Trail Extension (Adds ~0.5 to 1 Mile): On your way to or from Bridal Veil Falls, you can easily hook onto the Three Lakes Trail. This short, scenic detour loops past Lake Dense, Lake Alford, and the massive 100-acre Lake Julia, offering a quiet dock view and a completely different ecosystem from the river canyons.
