âDuPont State Recreational Forest is an incredible natural resource that we are fortunate as a state to have,â said N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. However, as youâll see, many folks also come here for ⦠Most of the trail system is open, and visitors should come prepared to access trails and to keep moving. The name of the road will change to Staton Road. All picnic areas, swimming areas and waterfronts will remain closed. Wife and I visited Dupont Forest on our recent Anniversary trip. DuPont State Recreational Forest . Raven Cliff Falls, SC 'Pretty Place' (Symmes Chapel) Most of the trail system is open, and visitors should come prepared to access trails and to keep moving. Most of the trail system is open, and visitors should come prepared to access trails and to keep moving. DuPont State Recreational Forest won't open the weekend of May 9, according to communications director Bruce MacDonald. Jason Guidry, DuPont State Recreational Forest Supervisor, said that even though DuPont was closed from mid-March to mid-May due to Gov. High Falls has been known for years to local residents. Trail courtesy is critical during this time to ensure safe access for everyone. With over 10,000 acres and 86 miles of trails, DuPont State Forest has become one of the most popular places to go hiking near Asheville, especially for its waterfalls that are among the best in North Carolina. A link has been posted to your Facebook feed. DuPont State Recreational Forest is open daily, 5 a.m. until 10 p.m. You will see a parking area on the right. The Arboretum is reopening its trails on Saturday, as well, but limiting capacity to 50 percent. Locations were filmed only 6 miles away from the campground. base of High Falls. Dupont State Recreational Forest Overview. Beginning Saturday, 29 state parks that were closed will reopen including most roads, trails, restrooms and some boat ramps. The buildings will still be closed. The forest was established in 1996 following the generous sale of the land from the Dupont Corporation. This area is one of the most popular near Asheville and Hendersonville for horseback riding, waterfall trail hiking, mountain biking, and picnics. (Photo: Karen Chávez/KChavez@CitizenTimes.com). Some locations may ⦠"The importance of our parks and trails to North Carolinians has become quite apparent during this pandemic," said State Parks Director Dwayne Patterson. Portions of the forest formerly contained a manufacturing facility for the production of X-ray film. DuPont State Recreational Forest, commonly known as DuPont Forest, is a 12,500-acre (51 km ) state forest, located in Henderson and Transylvania counties of North Carolina. You do not need a Facebook profile to participate. Some access areas may be closed, so visitors should check park webpages for details. Adjacent tracts have since been purchased and added to the state forest. Minimal services, facilities and assistance will be available for visitors. In 2011, DuPont State Forest was redesignated as a State Recreational Forest by the North Carolina General Assembly, to be managed primarily for natural resource preservation, scenic enjoyment and recreational purposes, including horseback riding, hiking, bicycling, hunting and fishing. The forest is presently open ⦠Just 20 minutes from downtown Brevard, this is a great place to hone your MTB skills before venturing into the more technically-challengin⦠WHEN TO VISIT: Because of the ease of access to waterfalls, DuPont State Forest is a very popular place to visit. Address: Pisgah Forest, NC 28768, USA, United States; Tags: Park; Contribute; Dupont State Forest Office Map. The name originates from the fact that the DuPontcompany arranged the sale of the original tract to the state. Get on Dupont Road and head toward the park. Come prepared to share trails with all types of users. We encourage you to further support local journalism by subscribing. DuPont State Recreational Forest is open daily, 5 a.m. until 10 p.m. DuPont State Recreational Forest is open daily, 5 a.m. until 10 p.m. With nearly 100 miles of trails and a rare taste of eastern slickrock riding, spread over 10,000 acres of forest, it's no wonder so many mountain bikers make North Carolina their home. Enable Map. "While we look forward to welcoming visitors back to the parks that have been closed, we are approaching this phased reopening with safety in mind. Cleaning procedures effective for COVID-19 disinfection are established and staff are trained to disinfect restrooms and high-touch areas. Come prepared to share trails with all types of users. This is a test to see whether we can improve the experience for you. Roy ⦠The forest opens to the public at 5 a.m. Holmes Educational State Forest opens to the public at 9 a.m. Fired Buncombe officer, deputies punched, tased family: federal suit, Mission Hospital bans most visitors amid COVID surge, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. If you see comments in violation of our community guidelines, please report them. Friends of DuPont Forest is a membership organization dedicated to the preservation of DuPont State Recreational Forest, home of more than 10,000 acres of forest, trails, and waterfalls between Hendersonville and Brevard, North Carolina. It is situated on a plateau of the Little River valley , with waterfalls and rolling land bordered by moderately steep hills and mountains. They're still ironing out essential safety details â like how bathrooms will be cleaned â and won't be ready in time to reopen with many state parks on May 9. A link has been sent to your friend's email address. DuPont State Forest - The forest encompasses more than 10,000 acres in Henderson and Transylvania counties. DuPont offers everything from gentle forest roads to exciting single tracks, with an impressive variety of scenic attractions located only minutes apart. To ensure health and safety, park visitors should follow the "Three W's" as outlined by the N.C. Dept. A return to full operations will occur in phases. The forest was used to shoot scenes from the 19⦠DuPont State Forest is universally recognized as one of the best mountain biking destinations in the southeast. HOURS: DuPont State Forest is open 7 days a week from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Trails will reopen, but gathering areas will remain closed. Signs around the trails will let you know if anything is closed due to weather, downed trees, or maintenance. Following guidance from the Governor's office and the Department of Health and Human Services, North Carolina's state parks will increase recreational access and services beginning May 9. DuPont State Recreational Forest PO Box 300 Cedar Mountain, NC 28718-0300 Voice: 828-877-6527 Fax: 828-862-8531 dupontsf.ncfs@ncagr.gov "We are forming plans and doing preparatory work right now toward opening the forests in a way that promotes safe behavior," said Bruce Macdonald, with DuPont Forest. Rate this attraction Submit. Trail courtesy is critical during this time to ensure safe access for everyone. DuPont Forest is accessible all year and is open from 5 AM to 10 PM. Dupont State Forest Office Reviews & Ratings. UPDATE for Feb. 14: All trails at DuPont State Recreational Forest will be open, effective at 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, according to DuPont recreation specialist Mary Smith. All trails are multiple use and open to mountain biking, hiking and equestrian use. On the weekends, parking areas fill up fast and many people are on the trails. The Citizen Times is providing this story for free to readers because of the need for information about the coronavirus. Parking is limited to Fawn Lake Access Area, Guion Farm Access Area and Corn Mill Shoals Access Area. Lake Imaging Access Area Welcome to our new and improved comments, which are for subscribers only. In 2017, the DuPont Corporation donated to the state a 476-acre inholding that was the site of its industrial plantâonce a âholeâ in the center of the state forest. Write a Review. DuPont State Recreational Forest is open daily, 5 a.m. until 10 p.m. This three-mile hike to three waterfalls is the most popular waterfall hike near Asheville and our favorite. Box 32Brevard, NC 28712Ph: (828) 883-8156, Powered by ROAR Online Publication Software from Lions Light Corporation This sign at Triple Falls in DuPont State Recreational Forest is pretty clear. Read or Share this story: https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2020/05/13/dupont-forest-partially-reopens-may-14-many-popular-spots-stay-closed/5187737002/, (Photo: Karen Chávez/KChavez@CitizenTimes.com), Boyle column: Seriously, 'Let's be careful out there', Coronavirus: Many state parks partially reopen May 9; Pisgah forest, Gorges on May 13, Coronavirus: Much of Blue Ridge Parkway in WNC to reopen May 15, small section May 9, Word from the Smokies: New bee discovered after fire, Blue Ridge Parkway car accident kills woman, Asheville School responds to lawsuit claiming sexual abuse by teachers. Come stay with us and enjoy the unique experience of staying in a yurt on a glampground that has amazing views, ice cream on the property, and easy access to local forests, waterfalls, and other treasures. Park staff have Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to reduce the spread risk of COVID-19 as they interact with the public and clean restrooms and other areas. Bring your family, pups, and bikes, because you are sure to find a family-fun adventure with Dupont ⦠Visitor behavior will be a key factor for providing continued public access and preventing additional closures during this period of phased reopening, the N.C. Forest Service said. Spanning over 10,000 acres of rolling hills and rocky crags between Brevard and Hendersonville, NC, Dupont State Recreational Forest houses some of Transylvania Countyâs most exciting climbing, biking and hiking opportunities. For the most up to date information about facility openings, service hours, and access, visit the Division of Parks and Recreation's website at http://www.ncparks.gov/open. All picnic areas, swimming areas and waterfronts will remain closed. As we balance the high visitation we expect with our responsibility to protect park staff and natural resources, we ask that everyone be respectful of park staff, other visitors, and the parks' natural areas.". Hooker Falls Access Area. The Division of Parks and Recreation is working with state and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and use a phased, collaborative approach to increase access to North Carolina State Parks in a systematic manner. The current plan calls for reopening campgrounds in the second phase, and the third and final phase will include opening common areas and resuming educational activities and other programming. All rights reserved. There are 6 listed waterfalls and miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. of Health and Human Services – wear a mask or cloth face covering; wait in line at least 6 feet away from others and wash hands frequently.