Western North Carolina’s unofficial nickname, The Land of Waterfalls, is backed up with hundreds of waterfalls scattered throughout the Blue Ridge Mountains. So many waterfalls… so little time! Get out and find them – starting with the following waterfall lagoon that’s not only a perfect hiking destination, it’s also a crystal-clear swimming hole with a flat rock beach where you can get lost in nature for the day.

If you haven’t already discovered Hooker Falls in Dupont State Forest then you are in for a delightful surprise.

Google/Dale Francum

A short 0.8 mile trail through the forest leads straight to a ribbon waterfall that spans the entire width of the Little River.

alltrails.com/Supertramp Goes Wild

At its base? A sweet lagoon filled with cool mountain waters that take on an emerald hue and are just waiting for you to put your toes in and see how amazing it feels.

Flickr/Frank DiBona

The waterfall is approximately 14 feet tall and flows over a sizable rock ledge — leaving a secret water cave underneath!

Google/Kimberly Guice Want to see more of the cave? Check out this awesome youtube video from user Hunterrickb:

A riverside soil, sand, and flat rock beach provide a place to relax alongside the river while still enjoying this beautiful hidden gem.

alltrails/Sandra Cline

Ready to add this to your bucket list this year? From the parking area, it’s only a short hike down to the lagoon and waterfall.

alltrails.com/Bill Watson

This map from alltrails.com can guide you to exactly where to find Hooker Falls.

alltrails.com

The parking area is located at 210 Staton Road, Hendersonville, NC (although the waterfall lagoon is 25 minutes southeast of Hendersonville.) Simply input your starting point into the address field at the far left of this Google maps link to get turn-by-turn directions.

Google/Dale Francum

alltrails.com/Supertramp Goes Wild

Flickr/Frank DiBona

Google/Kimberly Guice

Want to see more of the cave? Check out this awesome youtube video from user Hunterrickb:

alltrails/Sandra Cline

alltrails.com/Bill Watson

alltrails.com

(Please note: places within the plunge pool lagoon at the base of this waterfall have a depth that is well over the head of most adults.)

Love chasing watefalls? Check out The Ultimate North Carolina Waterfalls Road Trip!

 

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