December 2010
We are thrilled to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the opening of waterfall section of the DuPont State Forest near Brevard and Asheville, North Carolina. Nearly 150,000 people each year now enjoy the 10,000+ acres with 900 miles of hiking trails and spectacular waterfalls, including Triple, High and Bridal Veil falls. The waterfall section almost became an exclusive real estate development before the State of North Carolina stepped in to purchased and preserve this area for everyone to enjoy free of charge.

The first 7600-acre section of forest was purchased by the State of North Carolina in 1996 and 1997 after DuPont sold its industrial operation and surrounding land holdings. The Conservation Fund, a national non-profit organization, negotiated an agreement between DuPont and North Carolina officials which facilitated the public purchase. DuPont transferred all excess property to the Conservation Fund and the State later purchased most of these lands from the Conservation Fund for approximately $2.2 million. Local environmental groups were instrumental in bringing these three parties together in 1995. Funding for the State Forest was granted by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Trust Fund.

The 2,200-acre tract in the middle of the original State Forest, containing High Falls, Triple Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls was acquired by the State on October 23, 2000, after the North Carolina Council of State, led by Governor Jim Hunt, voted to invoke its power of eminent domain. The action was taken against a real estate developer who was building a large residential housing development in the center of the State Forest. It was a controversial, two year struggle.  After three weeks of intense volunteer trail work, the waterfall tract opened to the public on December 17, 2000.