
On National Public Lands Day, Saturday September 23, 2023, Friends of DuPont Forest will host the 6th annual DuPont Forest Festival, an event celebrating the adventure and beauty of DuPont State Recreational Forest.
WHERE: DuPont State Recreational Forest, Guion Access Area
WHEN: Saturday, September 23, 2023, 10am–3pm
The DuPont Forest Festival is a free, family friendly event open to the public. It is hosted by Friends of DuPont Forest and sponsored by Henderson County Tourism Development Authority.
The DuPont Forest Festival is a celebration of all the adventure and history found in DuPont State Forest.
We’ll have a mix of drop-in activities, demonstrations, group tours, and hikes, all perfect for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages. Our number one goal for the Forest Festival is to teach people to love the Forest. Along with having fun, the activities will weave in education about reducing impacts to the Forest, waterfall safety, trails that serve multiple types of recreationalists and Forest conservation. Each event will be led by an expert volunteer and representative from our partner organizations.
This year we are thrilled to partner with the iDaph Events and welcome the Tree Tops Trail Race.

DUPONT FOREST FESTIVAL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
10:30am
Thomas Cemetery Hike with Patty Stahl
11:00am
YAM Kids Yoga
Women’s Intermediate Ride with Amanda Robertson
Women’s Beginner Gravel Ride with Niki Celani
Beginners Orienteering - with Al Beers
11:30am
Wintergreen Falls Hike with Greenville Hiking Club
Co-Ed Intermediate Gravel Ride with Lindsey Hall
Co-Ed Beginner Single Track Ride with Michelle Deerlodge
12:00pm
Intermediate Co-ed MTB Ride with MTB Skills Factory
11:45am
Smoky Bear
Women’s Beginner Single Track Ride with Sydney
12:30pm
Youth Ride with NICA for 4th through 12th graders
Respect wildlife activity with Eagle’s Nest Foundation and the Outdoor Activity
Walk on the Wild Side Hike with Conserving Carolina
Kids Mini Skills Clinic 6-10 year olds with MTB Skills Factory
1:00pm
YAM All Levels Flow Yoga
Earth Walk with Earth Winds
Youth Ride
1:30pm
Trail Rod Presentation with Johnny Kelly
1:45pm
Smoky Bear
2:00pm
Yoga and Meditation by Moonchild Farm
ALL DAY DROP-IN ACTIVITIES
- Astronomy with PARI
- Pet the horses with Pisgah Trail Blazers
- Pine cone craft and scavenger hunt with Jinx
- Face Painting and Tattoos with Friends of Dupont Forest
- Come see the Rocky the Hellbender with the North Carolina
- Wildlife Resources Commission
- View the Craft Gallery with Eagle’s Nest Camp
- River Bingo and Leave No Trace Activity with Mills River Partnership
- Dance and learn the 7 Leave No Trace principles with Ripple Forest Collective
- Fly Fishing Demos with Headwaters Outfitters
- Trail Rod Demo’s with Johnny Kelly
- Discover the Healing Powers of Waterfalls with Waterfall Keepers of NC
- Wood Carving with Piedmont Wood Carvers
- Massage with YAM- Yoga and Massage
- NC Forest Service
- Leave No Trace
- Friends of Dupont Forest·
- DuPont Trail Crew
- Rusty Spurs - Pony rides and meet the horses
- Knot Tying and Bracelets - the Outdoor Academy
Food Trucks
Groovy Grease Wagon
Alle's Sweet Treats
Please not the schedule is subject to change.