DuPont Forest-Hooker Falls
While visiting Asheville and the surrounding area, we decided to go in search of a waterfall. I know the song says you are not supposed to, but we were there and the weather was nice. There are plenty to see in the beautiful Smoky Mountains but we had little Dodger Bear with us and decided to try out the DuPont Forest.
From the Hooker Falls parking area, you can follow the 0.3 mile trail to the base of the falls for some spectacular views.
There are about 70 or so parking spaces and nice restrooms in the parking lot. There is also a bridge and access to the river if you just want to check out the area or splash around.
The trailhead is well marked with signs and the trail is gravel and as wide as a golf cart or wider all the way to the base of the falls.
We went in January and it was not very crowded but there were still families and pups exploring the area. Pups are required to be leashed at all times. It is downhill on the way to the falls, but we definitely felt like we had to huff and puff a bit on the way back. Mom and dad did not bring their walking sticks and didn’t necessarily feel like they needed them, although we did see people with them. Most of the trail has wooden “fencing” especially if you are at the forest edge so it feels very safe even if you have little ones with you.
We saw people with backpacks and such and again did not feel like that was necessary unless you wanted to do a picnic or something. We did have water for the pups and had water in the car for ourselves.
Once you follow the trail all the way down, you will be delivered to the base of the falls. There is a sign sharing information about the falls, tons of rocks to perch on and take in the sights, and of corse, the falls themselves. Hooker falls is where the Little River falls over a 12 foot ledge and later connects to Cascade Lake further downstream.
The trail we took is one small part of a 3.3 mile trail system you can take to see high falls and triple falls. This website can give you more details if you want to plan a more elaborate trip. We were in and out in about an hour.
