Equestrian Use

Thank you for your interest in equestrian usage of the DuPont State Forest.  We are very fortunate for the opportunity to participate in a multiple use trail plan.  DuPont's trails are used by hikers, bikers, horseback riders, fishermen, and hunters (during season).  The hunting schedule is posted on the website.  During hunting season, other user groups are encouraged to use trails in the hunting safety zone.  (See trail use section on web site.)  Multiple use allows all visitors of the forest access to the many wonderful trails at DuPont State Forest.

To assure continued equestrian usage of trails, it is extremely important that equestrians show good citizenship. All trails are open to horses except for Triple Falls Trail past the picnic shelter and a few foot trails that are clearly marked.  Use Galax Trail as an alternate route to Triple Falls. Equestrians are asked to keep their horses at least 50 ft. from picnic shelters and other structures.  Tie-outs for horses are provided near the waterfalls and other points of interest.  

Please observe the following rules:

General Rules

• No consumption of alcohol is allowed on the property.  Anyone with alcoholic beverages on the property will be asked to leave the premises.

• Dogs must be on leashes.  There is some discussion regarding the possibility of designating areas where dogs can be taken off their leashes.  At this time, no area has been designated so the rule applies. 

• Coggins papers are required for the horses brought on to the property.  Rangers will make random checks for this paperwork at the parking lots.  If you do not have current (within 1 year) Coggins papers in your possession, you will be asked to leave the premises.  This is for the protection of all horses in the forest.

• Carry out what you pack in.  Trash cans are not available.  Please help us to keep the forest clean by carrying out any garbage you can pack on your horse.

• Potable water is not available.  You must bring an adequate supply of drinking water with you.

• The trails are open from daylight to dark.  Please plan carefully and leave the parking lot before dark.

Camping

• There are no public camping facilities in DuPont State Forest.  Camping is only permitted for organized groups that volunteer to do trail work.  Do not camp in the parking lot.  For information on volunteer opportunities contact the Forest Supervisor's office at (828) 877-6527.

Parking Lots

• Remove horse manure from the parking lots and place it in the manure boxes provided.  The parking lots are also multiple use and equestrians must be considerate of all user groups. 

•   All access areas are clearly marked with brown signs just before the site (except for Lake Imaging).  Park in the spaces designated for horse trailers and in a manner that assures maximum usage of the space provided.  The two best parking lots for horse trailers are the Lake Imaging Parking Lot, located on DuPont/Staton Road 1/2 mile north of Hooker Falls Access Area; and the Guion Farm Parking Lot, located on Sky Valley Road.  All parking lots are open to horse trailers, but the use of Hooker Falls and Buck Forest Access Areas is discouraged, because they are smaller and can be very crowed on weekends.

Trails

• Please do not cut brush or alter trails unless you are participating in an organized volunteer work effort. Do not disrupt plant life in the forest.

• Horses are not allowed within 50 ft. of picnic shelters and other structures.  Please use the tie outs when available.

• Stay on trails marked for horse access.  All maintained trails are marked with brown wooden signs.  Trail signs are posted throughout the forest.  Do not go on unmarked or closed trails. 

• Tie horses at the tie outs provided.  If tie outs are not available, please cross tie your horse to avoid tree damage. 

• Maintain a safe speed, particularly when near highly visited sites such as the waterfalls. 

Streams & Waterways

• There are many streams and lakes for watering your horses.  A few of those areas are marked "No Horses".  Use the bridges to cross the streams when provided.  This rule helps protect water quality. 

Suggested Loop for First Time Visitors

The Waterfall Loop

When you come to DuPont State Forest , many riders want to see the waterfalls.  There is a great loop that allows you to see four of the major waterfalls.  This loop does involve crossing Little River.  The rocks can be slick and the water can be up to two feet deep when the rainfall has been heavy.  If your horses have crossed large streams before, there shouldn't be a problem.  There are also two wooden bridges.  If your horse has not crossed a wooden bridge before, you may want to lead them across the first time.  The bridges are wide and very solid.  Rangers and volunteers carry free maps.  If you need a map, ask any ranger.  Large maps are posted at the kiosks.  Many loops can be developed by connecting the trails.  This loop takes about 2 hours, depending on your speed and how long you stay at the viewpoints.  It will get you familiar with many other connecting trails.

From Lake Imaging Access Area:

Take Lake Imaging Road beginning at the north side of the parking lot.  There are several trails that lead off of this trail, but to do the loop stay on Lake Imaging Road. 

Just after the trail turns into a gravel road turn right on Grassy Creek Falls Trail.  There is a tie out for horses and a foot trail down to the waterfall observation point. 

Once you have seen the falls, continue down Lake Imaging Road, which runs in to Buck Forest Road at the Grassy Creek Bridge .  Continue across the bridge on Buck Forest Road and you will come to the covered bridge just upstream from High Falls .  You may water your horses beside the bridge but you must use the bridge to cross. 

After crossing the bridge, turn right on Covered Bridge Trail.  Follow it to the end and turn right on High Falls Trail.  Look for the tie outs on the left.  Tie your horses and go to the viewing area near the picnic shelter.  Steps will take you (by foot) down to the lower road and just to the right on that road, the steps continue to the base of High Falls .  This is a slippery, steep area and caution is advised.

When you leave the High Falls viewing area, back track to the High Falls Trail that turns to the left down the hill.  This trail takes you down to the Little River. Turn right at the top of the hill on Triple Falls Trail to the Triple Falls viewing area. There is a tie out to the left of the picnic shelter at Triple Falls .  There is a foot trail just up hill from the viewing area that will take you closer to the falls.  Once again, use extreme caution in steep slippery areas.  No wading, swimming or rock climbing is allowed at Triple Falls .

Galax Trail begins to the left of the tie out.  Follow it down to the highway bridge, turn left and go under the bridge.  Cross the river and turn left on Hooker Falls Road .  This will take you to Hooker Falls .  Then backtrack on Hooker Falls Road , turn left on Hooker Ridge Road and look for Holly Road on the right.  Take Holly Roadl, which loops through the forest and ends on Staton Road across from Lake Imaging Access Area.

From the Guion Farm Access Area

Follow the trail behind the farmhouse ( Hickory Mountain Road ) to Buck Forest Road .  Follow Buck Forest Road to Covered Bridge Trail.  See Covered Bridge Trail above.  Follow the directions from there to Lake Imaging Access Area.  Take Lake Imaging Road, turn left on Jim Branch Trail then turn left on Buck Forest Road to return to the Guion Farm Access Area.