Grassy Creek Falls and Bridal Veil Falls are two waterfalls located near each other in DuPont State Recreational Forest. They are located close enough to do both on one hike as well as the covered bridge over Little River.
The easiest route is to start at the High Falls access area/parking lot. From the parking lot head toward High Falls. After about a quarter mile, there will be a gravel road with a signpost to your right. Follow the sign for the covered bridge.
The covered bridge sits above Little River. It’s a great spot to explore. There is a fantastic view of the brink of High Falls from here. That side of the bridge has a separate passageway that visitors can stop along without being in the way. The architecture, woodwork, and stonework are incredible!
Grassy Creek Falls
After the bridge, continue on Buck Forest Road. Turn left on Lake Imaging Road. Then take another left on the Grassy Creek Falls Trail. From the High Falls access area, it is 1.5 miles to Grassy Creek Falls.
Grassy Creek will be to your left. After heading down some stone steps, the trail access drops you at the top of the waterfall. Here the creek flows down small cascades.
If the flow is low, you can carefully make your way on rocks along the creek’s edge to get to the middle of the falls. It gives you a better perspective of the waterfalls’ 50-foot length.
It seems like the Grassy Creek Falls Trail leads to the base of the waterfall; however, when we visited, there were several downed trees and the end of the trail appeared closed.
Bridal Veil Falls
From Grassy Creek Falls, return to Buck Forest Road and head back toward the covered bridge. Turn left on Conservation Road (or right coming from the bridge).
Cross a bridge over the Lake Julia Spillway. Just after the bridge, there is a side trail to the left heading up which will take you to a picnic area next to Lake Julia. Take a break here for a snack or skip some stones.
From Conservation Road, go 1.1 miles and turn right on Bridal Veil Falls Road. You’ll pass a horse barn and field on the left.
There is a viewing platform along the trail to see the upper and lower section of Bridal Veil Falls, 120 feet in all. Once you reach the waterfall, only the lower portion is easily seen. From the High Falls access area, it is 2.3 miles to Bridal Veil Falls.
Many waterfalls around the U.S. are named Bridal Veil Falls, or a variation, for their shape. There are two in North Carolina alone. In DuPont, its shape is created as Little River flows down the exposed granite slope.
We spent a long time relaxing on boulders and taking in the cascades. It was a picturesque day with the billowing clouds and crisp fall air.
Bridal Veil Falls is 1 of 4 waterfalls in DuPont State Forest on the Little River. Make sure to check out High Falls, Triple Falls, and Hooker Falls while visiting the area.