About High Falls (DuPont State Forest)
High Falls drops well over 100 feet (guides list 120 to 150) down a broad granite face on the Little River in DuPont State Recreational Forest, between Hendersonville and Brevard, North Carolina. It is not in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, so there is no parking tag. The state forest is large, so the route from the lot to High Falls is a few miles of trail.
The walk
Most visitors start at the Hooker Falls lot and follow the Little River upstream: Hooker Falls first, then Triple Falls after about half a mile, then High Falls farther on, roughly 1.2 miles each way from the Hooker Falls lot in all. The trails are multi-use, shared with bikers and horses, and the walk is easy to moderate on well-marked trail. Carry the forest map (the forest has about 83 miles of trails) and stay on marked routes.
At the falls
High Falls spreads over a granite ledge beside a rock outcrop, with the view from the top and sides. The rock is steep and slick. Visitors have been seriously hurt and killed at the forest's waterfalls, so do not climb on or near the drops, and keep children close.
Getting there
DuPont is between Brevard and Hendersonville, and the Hooker Falls access area is reached from US-64 by Staton Road. From Gatlinburg, plan on about 2.5 hours. Trail parking is limited, so arrive early on weekends. Check the forest website for trail maps, the current hunting-season notice and any parking rules.
When to go
- Spring: The best flow.
- Summer: Busy weekends; start early.
- Fall: Good color and stable water.
- Winter: Quieter, with ice on rocks and steps.
Know before you go
Dogs are allowed on leash in the forest. During hunting season, wear bright colors. Cell service is limited.
Good to know
- How tall is High Falls (DuPont State Forest)?
- High Falls (DuPont State Forest) drops about 120 feet.
- How far is the hike to High Falls (DuPont State Forest)?
- It is about 1.2 miles each way, rated easy.
- Can you swim or climb at the falls?
- Please don’t climb on or around waterfalls. Wet rock and algae are extremely slick, and falls from waterfalls are a leading cause of death in the Smokies. Enjoy the view from the trail.
