Hooker Falls

Hike the exceptionally short and easy Hooker Falls Trail to an exceptionally beautiful waterfall and swimming hole at DuPont State Recreational Forest near Brevard, NC.

North Carolina’s Transylvania County is considered the “land of waterfalls,” thanks to the abundance of exceptionally beautiful waterfalls set in the county’s beautiful, rolling forests. And without a doubt, Hooker Falls is one of the county’s most popular waterfalls, well loved for its photogenic beauty, short hike, and cool swimming hole below the falls.

Hooker Falls is beautiful: it’s a wide, symmetrical, single-cascade waterfall, the last in a series of four on the Little River in DuPont State Forest. Below the falls, the river pools in a deep, wide basin that’s one of the summertime’s most popular swimming holes near Brevard, NC.

This is not a long hike, but it’s definitely rewarding. Whether you’re craving a refreshing, chilly-water waterfall swim, chasing waterfalls, or just looking for a beautiful, scenic picnic spot, this waterfall is worth a visit.

Hooker Falls: the hike

The hike begins at the large Hooker Falls / Triple Falls trailhead and parking area at Dupont State Forest (view maps and driving directions). At the trailhead, facing the bridge over the Little River, the hike departs to the right, walking southwest and following the river downstream.

The trail follows a wide gravel road, meandering along the river’s contours in a forest of rhododendron and hemlock. The Little River flows trailside, tumbling over a rocky bed littered with large stones and small boulders.

The hike reaches an overlook at .25 mile, catching a side view of the spilling falls. Hooker Falls cascades down a dozen feet from a level, stair-stepped cliff, tumbling onto a flat, level rock outcrop below.

The trail departs the overlook and continues its northwest journey, hiking to a wide, open area just below the falls. Large, level, blocky rocks with fractures filled with soft green grasses make a great place to hang out and enjoy the waterfall’s beauty.

After a quick dip, the hike retraces its outbound steps to the trailhead, completing the adventure at just over a half mile.

Note: slippery rocks and fast moving water can be extremely dangerous! Please don’t climb, stand on, swim above, or jump from any waterfall. And please pack out everything you packed in to help keep DuPont State Forest beautiful.

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More waterfall hikes at DuPont State Forest

In the mood to chase some more beautiful waterfalls? From this same trailhead, cross the bridge to hike the Triple Falls Trail to a stunning trio of waterfalls that were a filming location for The Last of the Mohicans and The Hunger Games. Or, for even more waterfall-filled adventures, hike the DuPont State Forest Waterfalls Hike, visiting Hooker Falls, Triple Falls, and High Falls on the Little River.

And if you’re up for some more stunning views of cascades without a long hike, check out our favorite hikes to waterfalls near Asheville under two miles. They’re short on distance but big on beauty, and they’re great for beginners and families, too.

This map shows our approximate route while exploring this trail, but does not replace an official trail map. Please refer to the official trail map for the most current and accurate route.