N.C. Forest Service - Permits and Reservations at DuPont State Recreational Forest
DuPont State Recreational Forest (DSRF) offers a limited number of permits that allow for occasional use that are exceptions to forest rules. Permits are reviewed by forest rangers using criteria based on public safety, impact to natural resources, impact to other DSRF visitors and the ability of staff to monitor permitted activities.
For answers to frequently asked questions about DSRF, refer to the FAQ.
Thank you for your interest in commercial use permits at DSRF. The window for 2025 commercial use permit applications will open Dec. 1, 2024, and will remain open through Sept. 15, 2025. Permits for 2024 are no longer being issued.
If you held a 2024 commercial use permit, you must submit your Use Record to commercialuse.dsrf@ncagr.gov before your application for a 2025 commercial use permit will be reviewed. In addition, if you have unpaid usage fees from previous years, those fees will need to be paid before your current commercial use permit request can be considered.
DuPont State Recreational Forest (DSRF) provides Commercial Use Permits to individuals, companies, and organizations interested in bringing groups to enjoy the forest and its amenities. Commercial Use Permits are valid for one calendar year beginning in January. A Commercial Use Permit is REQUIRED for any person, company, or organization that would like use the DSRF forest and amenities to conduct business or provide services, privileges, merchandise, or any other items for a fee.
Commercial Use Permit requests should be made using our e-form. If the hyperlink does not work for you, use the following URL: https://forms.office.com/g/vLCqEa0gr0.
NOTE: Turn-around time for processing a Commercial Use Permit request is 30 to 40 business days.
All correspondence regarding commercial use should be directed to commercialuse.dsrf@ncagr.gov
DSRF provides film/photo shoot permits to individuals, groups, business and organizations interested in using the forest for filming or photo shoots. Film/photo shoot permits have a minimum daily reimbursement charge of $744 and must be requested at least three weeks before the set-up, filming or photography is to begin.
Requests for film/photo shoot permits should be made using our e-form. If the hyperlink does not work, please use the following URL: https://forms.office.com/g/N9JSE11TMV.
All correspondence regarding film/photo shoot permits should be directed to dupontsf.ncfs@ncagr.gov.
You can request a limited mobility permit to drive your private vehicle into the Covered Bridge and the High Falls shelter using our e-form. If you find that the hyperlink does not work for you, please use the following URL to access the form: https://forms.office.com/g/YEh0YYg9XJ.
- January: No limited mobility permits are offered.
- February – March: Permits are issued for 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
- April – December: Permits are issued for 9:30 a.m. or 11 a.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
Permits are free and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Requests for limited mobility permits need to be submitted at least 48 hours in advance and must be made using the e-form. Your actual permit will be emailed to you along with instructions regarding what to do and where to go on the day of your visit.
DSRF provides special use permits to noncommercial individuals, groups and organizations interested in using the forest for an event, meeting, wedding, elopement, reunion, ceremony, etc. Special use permits are valid for a single day and are issued for free. There are a variety of restrictions ranging from location to group size that apply to events at DSRF. You can learn about these restrictions by reviewing our events policy or by using the following URL: https://www.ncagr.gov/nc-forest-service/ncfs-dsrf-events-policy/open.
Requests for special use permits should be made using our e-form. If the hyperlink does not work, please use the following URL: https://forms.office.com/g/1ZtS39hMBU.
NOTE: Turnaround time for processing a special use permit request is 30 business days.
DSRF offers barn reservations to camps and formally-organized, equestrian groups that will bring a minimum of five horses to the barn. Requests must be received at least one month in advance and must be made using this e-form. If the link to the e-form doesn't work for you, please use the following URL: https://forms.office.com/g/gN6yDEA4zb.
Barn reservations allow the permittee to drive to the barn using the Reasonover Gate on Conservation Road. Vehicles are not allowed to drive to any other location within DSRF.
Barn reservations begin at noon on the first day of your reservation and end at 11 a.m. on the last day of your reservation. Use of the barn is $40 per night plus $10 per horse per night and requires you to bring stall shavings and clean out the stalls at the end of the stay. Barn reservations are available as follows:
- January - March: Barn reservations are NOT offered.
- April - October: Reservations are available.
- November – December: Barn reservations are NOT offered.
DSRF offers FREE educational programming for people of all ages. Programming is available on weekdays and can be customized to meet a group's specific needs. Common programming topics include tree identification, forest ecology, the history of DuPont State Recreatonal Forest, wildflower identification, and more.
If you'd like to inquire about scheduling a program, please use this e-form to provide us with some basic information. If the link to the e-form does not work for you, use the following URL: https://forms.office.com/g/xUiR3TFXjw.
DSRF has five picnic shelters that visitors can reserve. Please use this e-form to request a picnic shelter reservation. If the link to the e-form does not work for you, use the following URL: https://forms.office.com/g/JbNWJfZgtj.
The picnic shelters and their associated nonrefundable fees are as follows:
- Guion Farm (four tables – no vehicle access) - $40
- High Falls (four tables) - $40
- Lake Dense (two tables) - $25
- Lake Imaging (three tables) - $40
- Triple Falls (seven tables – no vehicle access) - $60
Requests for picnic shelter reservations are processed on a first-come, first-served basis and are not actual reservations until payment for the picnic shelter is received. All picnic shelter reservations are for the entire day and are available as follows:
High Falls, Triple Falls, Lake Dense, and Lake Imaging Picnic Shelters
- January: No reservations are offered.
- February – March: Reservations are available Saturdays and Sundays, except on state holidays.
- April – December: Reservations are available Monday through Thursday, except on state holidays.
Guion Farm Picnic Shelter
- January – May: Reservations are available Sunday through Saturday, except on state holidays.
- June – August: Reservations are available Monday through Friday except for state holidays.
- September – December: Reservations are available Sunday through Saturday, except on state holidays.
This page was last modified on 10/02/2024