DuPont State Recreational Forest - Scenic Grassy Creek Falls

DuPont State Recreational Forest is a nearly 11,000-acre wooded wonderland bursting at its seams with spectacular waterfalls, scenic granite domes and inviting backcountry. An outdoor enthusiast’s paradise, it offers nearly 90 miles of hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian trails to explore its charming beauty. Rolling hills tucked between high mountains peaks host the upper reaches of the Little River and six of western North Carolina’s most visually stunning waterfalls.

Thanks to its beauty and ample accessibility, DuPont is among the state’s premiere outdoor recreation destinations. Among waterfall enthusiasts, DuPont’s falls consistently rank as the most impressive in all of North Carolina.

DuPont Forest is the northern bookend of lands that form a contiguous corridor of more than 23,000 acres of conserved natural lands along the southern Blue Ridge Escarpment extending to the Mountain Bridge Wilderness in South Carolina.

DuPont’s story represents a landmark achievement for land conservation in western North Carolina. With Conserving Carolina as the catalyst and facilitator of partnerships, 7,600 acres of what became DuPont State Recreational Forest was purchased by The Conservation Fund, then by the state of North Carolina, in 1996. Another 500 acres were purchased for addition to the State Recreational Forest in 2000.

In addition to helping make possible the acquisition of the large anchor tract of DuPont, Conserving Carolina provided a buffer of permanently protected natural lands around DuPont’s boundaries. Since the Forest’s inception, Conserving Carolina has conserved nearly 3,000 acres adjacent to its borders, including more than 100 acres at Terra Nova Center Retreat and our largest-ever conservation easement totaling 2,600 acres at Green River Preserve, both immediately to the south. Conserving Carolina also facilitated the acquisition of several hundred acres that have been added directly to the lands of DuPont State Recreational Forest, including the northern slopes of scenic Stone Mountain.

CHALLENGE: Hike to Grassy Creek Falls

Primary Route: Buck Forest Road via High Falls Parking Area (out-and- back)
Hiking Distance: 2.6 miles round-trip
Elevation Gain: ~240 feet
Difficulty: Moderate

Trailhead:

High Falls Parking Area adjacent to DuPont State Recreational Forest Visitor Center.
Click here to enter your address and receive turn-by- turn directions to the trailhead. GPS users may enter N35.1912, W-82.6228 in their units.

HIKING DIRECTIONS:

From the far end of the parking lot, opposite from where you entered, walk east to the start of Buck Forest Road/Trail beyond a metal gate. Hike the gravel road, passing the junctions, each on the left, with High Falls Trail at 0.1 mi., Triple Falls Trail at 0.3 mi., and Covered Bridge Trail, at 0.5 mi. Just beyond the latter, cross the Little River on, you guessed it, a covered bridge. Scenic views from the bridge to the left include the top of the precipice where the river careens over the top of High Falls. Since this is an out-and- back hike, a side trip to a viewing area for the scenic 150-foot falls is a worthwhile detour on your return hike.

Beyond the covered bridge, pass the junction with Conservation Road on the right and continue straight on Buck Forest Road. At 1.0 mi., the road crosses over Grassy Creek on a bridge. Shortly thereafter, turn left on gravel Lake Imaging Road. A short walk beyond, at 1.1 mi., turn left onto the Grassy Creek Falls Trail. Descend this narrower footpath to its end at 1.3 mi. to view picturesque Grassy Creek Falls. Return the way you came for a roundtrip of 2.6 mi.

Alternative Routes: Grassy Creek Falls can also be accessed from the Lake Imaging and Guion Farm parking areas via various trails and roads. Consult a DuPont State Forest Recreational Forest trails map.