• The forest is open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Hunting is by permit only on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
• Hunters must hold a vaild North Carolina hunting license and follow all N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) rules and regulations.
• Fishing must be done in accordance with all NCWRC rules and regulations. Fishing is allowed in all DSRF rivers and lakes.
• Areas marked "No Entry," "Do Not Enter" or "Authorized Personnel Only" are prohibited to all forest visitors.
• Alcohol and illegal substances are prohibited.
• Pets must be on a physical leash and under your control at all times.
• Take your trash with you.
• Campfires and cooking fires (charcoal, gas, wood, or other fuel) are not allowed on any part of DSRF.
• Camping within the forest or in its parking areas is not allowed.
• Do not swim or wade less than 300' upstream of waterfalls.
• Do not climb on rocks or waterfalls.
• Do not jump, slide or dive from waterfalls.
• Drones are not allowed.
• Leave all rocks and artifacts where you find them.
• Forest use is at your own risk.
• Click to read a complete list of forest rules.

DSRF is a part of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) Game Lands program. Deer, turkey and small game may be hunted three days per week by hunters holding a valid North Carolina hunting license and hunting permit, both of which are issued by the NCWRC. Information about weapon types and the annual hunting calendar are available on the NCWRC 's website.

Hunting safety zones have been established around waterfalls and other high-use areas. See the general forest map for details.

Hunting days at DSRF are Thursday, Friday and Saturday during the hunting season calendar set by the NCWRC. All forest visitors are encouraged to wear blaze orange during hunting seasons.  Hunters are especially active at dusk and dawn.

Dates for the year are released in July. For deer, bowhunting typically begins in mid-September with one or two weekends of blackpowder gun hunting in October and three weekends of any weapon hunting (bow, blackpowder, rifle) for the three weekends that follow Thanksgiving. There is a limited special opportunity hunt in early September that allows any weapon for disabled hunters.

Fishing is allowed in DuPont State Recreational Forest (DSRF) following the rules defined in the N.C. Wildlife Regulations Digest. See ncwildlife.org or call 919-707-0010. A valid North Carolina fishing license is required in order to fish at DSRF. 

DSRF contains five lakes that are classified as inland public fishing waters.

All streams at DSRF are classified as wild trout waters with the exception of the delayed harvest section of the Little River and "Little River from 100 yards downstream of Hooker Falls downstream to the DuPont State Forest boundary."

The delayed harvest water is the "confluence of Lake Dense to 100 yards downstream of Hooker Falls." This portion of the river is stocked with trout. Trout caught from Oct. 1 through June 1 must be released.

Wading is prohibited within 300 feet of the top of waterfalls. DSRF is open 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., and fishing during closed hours is prohibited.