At this point, you probably realize we love waterfalls. The Dupont State Forest waterfalls are a big reason why! Not only are waterfalls one of nature’s more unique displays of power and beauty but they also typically require another of our passions, hiking, in order to appreciate them properly. North Carolina is full of amazing waterfalls, each different in appearance, accessibility and size.
The western portion of North Carolina, also known as the “Land of Waterfalls”, is home to over 300 documented waterfalls. They cover the entire range of waterfall descriptions from cascade and plunge to tiered and block. Some are visible right off the road while others require a long and arduous (but always beautiful) journey to discover. What they all have in common are proximity and uniqueness.
We start with the Dupont State Forest waterfalls, 3 Sisters and Bridal Veil Falls. The Sisters, comprised of High Falls, Triple Falls and Hooker Falls, are all within a 3-mile loop of each other nestled inside DuPont’s 10,000 acres and 86 miles of trails. Bridal Veil Falls is only a few miles from the top of High Falls so, if you get an early start and are full of energy, you could see all four falls in a single day.
In neighboring Pisgah National Forest the waterfalls are all spread out with each having separate parking areas. For DuPont (115 miles due west of Charlotte) you have two primary options for parking, Hooker Falls Access (which spills into Triple Falls parking area) and High Falls Access (also the DuPont State Recreational Forest Visitor Center). Both are located just off Staton Rd. heading south from Brevard. Where you park depends on how many falls you are looking to see that day. The 3 Sister’s can be easily accessed from either parking lot but if Bridal Veil is your destination the High Falls parking area is the better option. We’ll start at Hooker Falls Access and do the 3 Sisters loop then spend a day walking to Bridal Veil Falls with a few fantastic stops along the way.
Jump to a specific section.
Hooker Falls
From the Hooker Falls Access (or the Triple Falls parking area) you’ll see a sign for Hooker Falls Rd. just before the rust-covered bridge crossing the Little River. The trail runs parallel to the river all the way down. Along the way, you’ll see a nice side view of the falls through the trees to your left. In many ways, this is a more interesting view as the Falls themselves are a single 12’ (3.7 m) straight drop with a slight cascade on the left side.
Proceed a few more minutes and you’ll see an opening on your left to the river. As you turn the corner the falls will come into view. Hooker Falls is the most popular attraction not because of its uniqueness or beauty but rather its accessibility and the swimming. By midday, this site basically becomes a large, more entertaining, swimming pool. Families make a day of it. Teenagers gather around the Falls themselves while younger kids have more shallow areas to splash around. There is something for everyone but, as you can imagine, it gets very crowded in the warm months. As beautiful as this Dupont State Forest waterfall is, it pales in comparison to what comes next.
Triple Falls Trail
Head back to the bridge and cross over to get on the Triple Falls Trail. The trail heads uphill but is wide and flat with some occasional rocks to avoid stepping on. Along the way keep an eye out on your left for spur trails leading to great views of the river and multiple cascades. Depending on the time of year you might be able to rock hop right to the middle as the water rushes around you. If not there are plenty of great rock formations to walk along or sit on to enjoy the views. Is there a more soothing sound than rushing water?
Triple Falls
As you continue along keep an eye out for trails to your left that can bring you down to the river for a variety of different perspectives. Our favorite brings you to the base of the bottom section. You’ll walk along the rocks at the edge of the water until it opens up into a relatively flat rock area that allows you to go right up to the falls. The lower falls are the widest and have the most character descending from multiple layers of rocks which produces a layered ribbon effect.
Next, there is a Lookout. This is the best vantage point from which to see all three tiers of Triple Falls. You get a perfect angle to see how the shape of the mountain has yielded to the power of the cascading water forming a distinctive path as it hurdles its way down into the Little River. Each level of the falls actually points in a different direction with the lower at almost a 90° angle in relation to the top. From top-to-base Triple Falls is 125’ (38 m) in height.
Once you’re back on the main trail, you’ll see stairs on the left (note there is a camping ground plus a few porta-potties catty-cornered from the top of the stairs). The stairs go down a ways but you’ll be rewarded at the bottom with a great view of the middle falls. Unfortunately, due to an accident, they have cordoned off much of the access. You still get a nice view but cannot get as close as with the bottom tier. If you look down to the left you can see a cool bird’s eye view of the lower tier and the surrounding rock.
On the Reel
The Hunger Games (2012)
Starring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth. Directed by Gary Ross.
This popular series, based on the dystopian novels of Suzanne Collins, pits heroine Katniss Everdeen against the totalitarian nation of Panem. All of the exterior shooting was done in North Carolina. The village was an abandoned ghost town just south of Hickory and the Triple Falls and Bridal Veil Falls are featured as well.
High Falls
As with most truly spectacular sites mere words, and even pictures simply cannot capture the grandeur of the moment. The highlight of the Dupont State Forest waterfalls, High Falls is well-named, as it reaches 150’ (46 m) in height, but that only tells part of the story. Because of the rock formations over which the water cascades are so varied, the water splits off into so many different directions so often that your eye never settles in one area. The speed of the water flow only adds to the beautiful violence. If the water is low enough you can walk along the rocks and boulders all the way to the base. A large rock to the right is a great resting place where you can enjoy a constant spray of mist, which is beyond refreshing on a hot summer day.
Don’t be surprised if you find yourself staying at High Falls a bit longer than you expected. It is that impressive. When you do decide to take your leave you’ll head back to the trailhead and continue upstream on the loop until you see an opening with a wood fence. To your left is an even better view of High Falls. You have some perspective and a complete viewing from one spot. Needless to say, this is a very popular spot for picture taking.
The Covered Bridge
If you want to proceed on to see Bridal Veil Falls, when you reach the peak of the High Falls Loop continue straight until to get to Buck Forest Road where you will turn left. Soon you’ll see the Covered Bridge.
The Covered Bridge looks innocuous enough until you realize that to the left is the crest of High Falls. You can certainly hear the water but cannot actually see any of the falls. On the other side it’s remarkable just how still the water is considering what fate soon awaits the calm stream. Just after the bridge proceed right on Conservation Road.
Lake Julia Spillway
In a little less than a mile you’ll cross a bridge that covers the Reasoner Creek, called the Lake Julia Spillway. This is absolutely one of the hidden gems of the DuPont Forest. Just past the bridge, on the left is a clear path that leads down to the creek. I would suggest you slip on your water shoes and wade a bit in the cool water. The area is beautiful and peaceful. If you arrive early you’ll likely have it all to yourself. Along the right ridge is a single person path, about 5’ (1.5 m) above the water line, that follows the creek upstream all the way to the actual spillway (a man-made waterfall fed from Lake Julia). On the path, there are some fascinating shale formations that almost look like miniature mountain villages but be careful not to touch anything and please stay on the path.
After exploring the Lake Julia Spillway you’ll go back out to Conservation Road where, if you choose, you can take the next left path to see a wide view of Lake Julia itself. It is a large lake framed by a variety of tall trees but, quite honestly, not much else. Back on Conservation Road continue until you see the sign on the right for the Bridal Veils Falls Trail. You’ll pass some paddocks, a stable and a water pump (plus a porta-potty) on the left on the way.
Eventually, you’ll arrive at a bunch of rocks and broken tree limbs beyond which lay the falls. The scramble is pretty easy to navigate but watch your step. When you get to the base there are numerous places to sit, enjoy the views and enjoy your picnic lunch. We packed PB&J sandwiches, chips and apples, and each hit the spot quite nicely. There are also plenty of good photo ops as well.
Bridal Veil Falls
The real fun begins when you discover the dry slope on the left. Bridal Veil is different because it is more of a long gradual slope (think of a much larger version of Sliding Rock) as opposed to a straight drop like Looking Glass Falls. We were easily able to walk (or run) to the top just as Hawkeye did in The Last of the Mohicans.
At the top, there is a simple waterfall that becomes so much more when you realize you can walk behind them to the other side. It is quite a remarkable experience to be on the other side of such a powerful force. The water flow is constant, loud and impressive. I stuck my hands through but didn’t risk anything else for fear of being washed away. There are some interesting rock formations behind the falls as well as a lot of cool mist in the air.
On the Reel
The Last of the Mohicans (1992)
Starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Madeleine Stowe and Russell Means. Directed by Michael Mann.
The best, IMHO, film version of the James Fenimore Cooper classic novel features the versatile Daniel-Day Lewis in the role of Hawkeye and the statuesque Madeleine Stowe as Cora. Though the story takes place in upstate New York, many of the outdoor scenes were shot in the DuPont State Forest including Hooker, High, Triple, and Bridal Veil Falls.
We found ourselves relaxing at the top for quite a while. Rocky tested the water in areas and there were several shallow pools filled with minnows and crabs. As we headed back down it was with a sense of wonder and regret. The Bridal Veil Falls are so unique and powerful one can’t help but be a bit overwhelmed by it all. An amazing experience.
The Way Back
If you want you can simply return the way you came. We “choose” a different path and wound up walking through an amazing stretch of the forest where we encountered some huge rocks, narrow paths, lush jungle-like overgrowth and a fluorescent yellow silkworm (see pic to right). Unfortunately, since we were actually lost, I can’t tell you how to find the path. Eventually, we caught back up to with Conservation Road and were able to work our way in the right direction. We made another stop at the Lake Julia Spillway to cool our feet and soak in the beautiful creek and surrounding trees. Then we retraced our steps back through the Covered Bridge, onto Buck Forest Road, to the High Falls Loop and the Visitor Center.
Conclusion
One of the things we love most about the East Coast of the U.S. are the trees. It’s basically just a huge forest. You really appreciate that fact as you hike to the Dupont State Forest waterfalls. While there are occasional open areas, most of the trails are in the shade which makes a world of difference in the warmer months. Then there is the incredible beauty of the forest with its smells, sounds and an endless variety of natural wonders.
What is your favorite forest, park or waterfall? There are so many to choose from! We’d love to hear about yours.
I love waterfalls! You’ve wonderfully presented this area and given a detailed account of how to visit… perhaps one day I’ll venture here.
Beautiful! We will have to check it out, we are always up for chasing waterfalls 😉
We travel through NC often! Can’t wait to check some of these out. We love checking out waterfalls, there are lots of them in Shenandoah near where we live! 🙂
I love hiking to waterfalls. This is right up my alley and the next time I go to NC we will have to use this guide.
Great guide! We live in Georgia so we definitely need to plan a hiking trip here!