A 2-day dog-friendly Pisgah weekend: waterfalls and the Blue Ridge
Two days of Pisgah National Forest waterfall stops and a DuPont State Forest loop, all picked for a dog in tow. Every trail fact, leash rule, and fee verified against live sources at write time.
Carolina Weekend
Published September 14, 2026
The short version
Base yourself in Brevard or Pisgah Forest along the US-276 corridor. Day 1: drive to the roadside Looking Glass Falls, stop at Sliding Rock (check the seasonal lifeguard window first — your dog is not allowed on the slide itself), and finish with the easy walk behind Moore Cove Falls. Day 2: loop the Graveyard Fields trail on the Blue Ridge Parkway, then spend the afternoon around the Triple and High Falls at DuPont State Forest. Across Pisgah and the Parkway, dogs stay on a 6-foot leash; at DuPont they stay on a physical leash and the forest is open 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Day 1
Looking Glass Falls
30 min · easy · verified: US Forest Service
A 60-foot waterfall right beside US-276 with a roadside observation area and a short stairway down for a closer view. No real hiking, so it is an easy first stop after the drive. Dogs are welcome on a leash — the slick rock is treacherous for paws too, so keep them back from the wet edge.
Sliding Rock
1 hour · easy · verified: US Forest Service
A 60-foot natural water slide that ends in an 8-to-10-foot-deep pool, open year-round weather and water permitting. Lifeguards staff it Memorial Day through Labor Day, and entry costs $6 per person when staff is on duty. Know the dog rules before you go: dogs may visit the recreation area on a leash, but they cannot go down the slide. Check the seasonal lifeguard and fee window first.
Moore Cove Falls Trail
1 hour · easy · verified: US Forest Service
A short, gentle out-and-back along US-276 in Pisgah National Forest — about 0.7 miles round trip with a modest climb — ending at a waterfall you can walk behind. Dogs are allowed on a leash. A good first real hike for a dog weekend, and a low-key way to wind down day one.
Day 2
Graveyard Fields Loop Trail
2-3 hours · moderate · verified: National Park Service
A popular loop off the Blue Ridge Parkway (about milepost 418.8) that passes two waterfalls. Dogs are welcome on a leash. The National Park Service describes the core loop as 2 miles, and the spur trails to the waterfalls add mileage, so treat it as a flexible morning. The area sits at high elevation and winds can be sharp, so pack layers.
DuPont State Recreational Forest
3-4 hours · moderate · verified: NC Forest Service / Friends of DuPont Forest
A rolling 10,000-acre state forest near Brevard famous for its waterfalls on the Little River, including Triple, High, and Hooker Falls. The forest is open daily 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., and pets must stay on a physical leash and under your control at all times. Campfires and jumping from the falls are not allowed. A strong afternoon finish with big waterfall payoff for a leashed dog.
Where to stay
Brevard / Pisgah Forest dog-friendly lodging (cabin · Brevard or Pisgah Forest along US-276)
Many cabins and inns in the Brevard area welcome dogs, but pet policies vary by property and often carry a per-dog fee. Confirm the pet policy and any weight or number limits with the property before booking — do not assume a cabin is dog-friendly.
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What to bring
- A 6-foot leash and a backup — it is the law on Pisgah trails, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and DuPont.
- Waste bags. Pack out everything, every time.
- Layers: mountain elevations swing through the day and the Parkway is windy.
- A towel and dry clothes for the dog and for you.
- Plenty of water and a collapsible bowl for the dog.
- Sturdy shoes for the waterfall stairs and the rock scrambling at DuPont.
Frequently asked questions
Are dogs allowed on Pisgah National Forest trails?
Yes. Dogs are welcome on all hiking trails in Pisgah National Forest as long as they follow the leash law, which makes it one of the more permissive public lands in the state for hikers with dogs. Dogs must be on a leash or under physical control in developed recreation areas like trailheads, campgrounds, and parking lots. A couple of localized rules apply — for example, Max Patch on the Appalachian Ranger District requires a leash — so check site-specific rules before you go.
Can my dog go down Sliding Rock?
No. Dogs are allowed in the Sliding Rock recreation area on a leash, but they cannot go down the water slide. Sliding Rock is a 60-foot natural slide dropping into an 8-to-10-foot-deep pool, staffed by lifeguards from Memorial Day through Labor Day with a $6 per person entry fee when staff is on duty. Keep your dog out of the slide itself.
What is the leash rule on the Blue Ridge Parkway?
Pets are welcome on the Blue Ridge Parkway and its trails, but must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet and under your physical control at all times. Parkway trails often run near or over Forest Service land, so the 6-foot leash rule is the safe default for the whole weekend.
Is DuPont State Forest dog-friendly?
Yes, for leashed dogs. DuPont State Recreational Forest is open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., and pets must be on a physical leash and under your control at all times. The forest has several major waterfalls on the Little River, including Triple, High, and Hooker Falls. Campfires and cooking fires are not allowed anywhere in the forest, and jumping from the waterfalls is prohibited.
What is the easiest dog-friendly waterfall hike near Brevard?
Moore Cove Falls is the pick. It is a gentle out-and-back along US-276 in Pisgah National Forest, about 0.7 miles round trip with a modest climb, and it ends at a waterfall you can walk behind. Dogs are allowed on a leash. It is easier than the Looking Glass Rock Trail, which is a moderate-to-strenuous 6-mile climb, so save that one for a dog team that can handle real distance.
Where should we stay for a dog-friendly Pisgah weekend?
Base your trip in Brevard or Pisgah Forest along the US-276 corridor for the closest access to Looking Glass Falls, Sliding Rock, and Moore Cove Falls. Dog policies vary by property and often come with a per-dog fee, so confirm the pet policy, any weight limits, and the fee with the property before booking.
How we verified this itinerary
Trail names, distances, elevation, difficulty, and seasonal windows were checked against the National Park Service, US Forest Service, AllTrails, and local sources at write time. Conditions change, so confirm current trail and park status before you go. See our methodology.