Hooker Falls — Local services in Brevard

Hooker Falls is one of the most popular and easily accessible waterfalls in the DuPont State Recreational Forest in North Carolina—and for good reason. This beautiful cascade offers a perfect mix of light hiking, scenic beauty, and a great spot to cool off, all wrapped into a short, family- and pet-friendly experience.

Trail Experience The hike to Hooker Falls is relatively short—just about 0.3 miles (5 to 10 minutes) one way—making it ideal for families with kids or anyone looking for a quick nature break. The trail is well-maintained but includes a slightly steep downhill section toward the end as you approach the falls. While it’s not overly challenging, proper footwear is recommended for better grip, especially if the path is wet.

The Falls & Swimming Hooker Falls drops around 12 feet into a wide, calm pool that’s perfect for wading and swimming. The water is clear and refreshing, making it a favorite summer spot for locals and visitors alike. You can also walk along the flat rocks and enjoy the peaceful view of the falls up close. It’s not a roaring waterfall, but its serene charm and swimmable pool more than make up for it.

Pet-Friendly A big plus—Hooker Falls is dog-friendly! Pets are welcome on leash, and many bring their dogs to enjoy the trail and even splash around in the shallow edges of the pool. It’s a great way to include your furry companions in your outdoor adventure.

Parking & Access There’s a decent-sized parking area at the Hooker Falls access point. On weekends and holidays, especially during summer, it can fill up quickly, so arriving early is a smart move. I reached by 11 am on Sunday, it took 30 mins for me to get a parking spot. There are basic restrooms near the trailhead, but no facilities down by the falls, so plan...

My sister, my niece, my son, and I visited hooker falls today. We were able to find a park at the entrance of the trail. The hardest part was walking the trail to the waterfall. I will be honest with you if you are not in shape and I am not, it is difficult even to be a short walk. Some points of the walk, I thought I was going to die. When we got to the waterfalls, it was beautiful. However, the rocks to get into the water are slippery and sharp. You definitely need to wear shoes in the water. When you get into the water, it is so cold, it takes your breath away. While I enjoyed this beautiful waterfall, I am too fat to ever do this again. People say it's a...

We were there on the afternoon of July 4th. There were lots, lots of people at the Hooker fall. Cars parked along the street and we walked to the main parking lot for about 10 minutes and then it took about 10 minutes to get to the waterfall itself. Our almost 4-year-old daughter walked too so we were kinda slow. The main parking lot isn’t that big and it’s free. People were in the bushes and swimming everywhere along the way to the Hooker Falls. It was a ton of people, they were eating and smoking but everyone politely took their trash away with them. Honestly, it was hard for me to enjoy this place. I’d recommend to come here on a...