🌤 Weather at DuPont State Recreational Forest by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37–70 °F | 60–78 °F | 38–71 °F | 28–48 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Caesars Head, 4 mi away, elevation 3,200 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
DuPont State Recreational Forest is located in North Carolina near Cedar Mountain and is managed by the North Carolina Forest Service, not by North Carolina’s state park system. Designated a State Recreational Forest in 2011, it offers a peaceful retreat into nature for visitors of all ages.
Quick Facts
| State | North Carolina |
| Nearest City | Cedar Mountain |
| Established | 1997 |
Location & Getting There
DuPont State Recreational Forest is located near Cedar Mountain, North Carolina. The park’s coordinates are 35.1667, -82.6167.
Things to Do
DuPont covers 12,400 acres in Henderson and Transylvania counties, between Hendersonville and Brevard, with waterfalls, lakes and an extensive network of multiuse trails. The General Assembly set it aside in 2011 for hiking, horseback riding, biking, hunting and fishing. The visitor center has trail maps, staff to help you plan your time, and free Wi-Fi, which helps because cell service in the forest is limited.
Best Time to Visit
The forest is open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Summer and holiday weekends are busy, and parking lots are often full by 9:30 a.m., so arrive before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m.
Visitor Tips
DuPont is run by the N.C. Forest Service, not North Carolina State Parks, so the state park reservation system does not apply. There is no camping, and campfires and cooking fires of any kind are not allowed. Leave drones, alcohol and e-bikes at home, keep dogs on a leash, and never climb, jump or slide on the waterfalls. There is no food for sale, and drinking water is limited.
Explore More North Carolina State Parks
Looking for state parks in North Carolina? Discover them in our Best State Parks in North Carolina guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
Wildlife & Nature
DuPont SRF — 10,400 acres — features four major waterfalls including Triple Falls and Hooker Falls, which appeared in “The Hunger Games” and “The Last of the Mohicans” films. The forest’s granite domes, waterfalls, and hardwood forest support black bears, wild boar, and timber rattlesnakes. Brook trout inhabit the cold streams.
Nearby Attractions
Brevard — adjacent — the “Land of Waterfalls” with 250+ waterfalls in Transylvania County. Pisgah NF — surrounding. Asheville — 35 miles north.
Keep exploring: The closest neighbors are Sliding Rock Recreation Area (a short drive away) and Gorges State Park (within about an hour’s drive).
Park Location
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