Hooker, Triple and High Falls Hiking Guide
DuPont State Recreational Forest packs more waterfalls into a short walk than anywhere else near Asheville, and this route strings together the three most famous: Hooker Falls, a wide low curtain on the Little River; Triple Falls, three stacked cascades you may recognise from The Hunger Games; and High Falls, a long slide of whitewater upstream. Over 700,000 people hike in DuPont each year, and most of them come for these three.
The Route
From the Hooker Falls Access Area on Staton Road, a short, flat walk leads to Hooker Falls. Crossing under the road, the trail climbs to Triple Falls and continues to the High Falls overlook. The round trip is about 3 miles with around 200 feet of gain, on wide gravel forest roads and paths. Longer variants add Bridal Veil Falls and push the day to four or five miles. Signage at junctions is good.
After Helene
Hurricane Helene damaged trails across DuPont in September 2024. The Triple Falls Trail reopened in May 2025. As of the forest's closures page updated in June 2026, the stairs down to the base of Triple Falls remained closed with no reopening date, and some bridges were still being rebuilt. The overlooks remain open. Closure fencing is enforced — people have been cited for going around it — so check the DuPont closures page before you plan a specific viewpoint.
Waterfall Safety
People have died at Triple Falls, and the rules are strict for good reason: no swimming above any waterfall, no jumping, and no sliding. The rock around the falls is smooth and algae-slick, and the current above each drop is stronger than it looks. Hooker Falls has a calmer pool below it that is popular in summer; stay out of the water above the falls entirely.
Beating the Crowds
July, August and October are the busiest months. The forest recommends arriving before 9 a.m. or after 4 p.m., and the Hooker Falls lot is often full by mid-morning on weekends. DuPont is open 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Winter is the quietest season and the falls run well after rain; it is also when the rock is at its most treacherous.
Practicalities
Parking is free. Dogs must be leashed. Drones are prohibited. The forest straddles Transylvania and Henderson counties between Brevard and Hendersonville, about an hour from Asheville. The same trails are shared with mountain bikers and, on some roads, horses, so keep right and listen for traffic from behind.
Hiking tips for Hooker, Triple and High Falls
- Arrive before 9 a.m. or after 4 p.m.; the Hooker Falls lot fills by mid-morning on weekends.
- Check the DuPont closures page first — the Triple Falls base stairs were still closed in 2026.
- Never swim, jump or slide above any waterfall; people have died at Triple Falls.
- Keep right on the wide forest roads; mountain bikes share most of this route.
- Come in winter or on a weekday if you want the overlooks to yourself.
Nearby trails to explore
- Looking Glass Rock Trail
- Graveyard Fields Loop
- Catawba Falls Trail
Hike this trail with TrailMates
DuPont's waterfalls are an easy win for a first hike with someone new. Use TrailMates to find Asheville and Brevard hikers planning an early-morning waterfall run. Download the TrailMates app to connect.