There are so many spectacular North Georgia waterfalls to visit, and until recently, I didn’t realize we had this many! I started my journey to visit these waterfalls when the pandemic began. Like many others, I was looking for things to do outside to stay active during our long haul with social distancing. I remember searching “North Georgia waterfalls” on Google and surprisingly saw many results pop up. It has been over two years now, and I’ve still not seen them all!
However, I’ve listed below some of the best North Georgia waterfalls that I’ve hiked to and photographed, along with travel and hiking tips. But this is an evolving list as I continue my waterfall journey. I’ve got more falls I want to explore, some of which require more planning. Don’t forget to check back for future updates!
What You Should Know Before Visiting These North Georgia Waterfalls
Here are some helpful tips that you should know before you visit these waterfalls in the North Georgia mountains:
- If you have an annual Georgia State Park pass, you can use your pass at Amicalola Falls State Park, Cloudland Canyon State Park, Vogel State Park, and Tallulah Gorge State Park. You can also buy a $5 daily park pass to use at more than one state park on the date of purchase. However, prepare to drive and spend less time at each waterfall if you try to squeeze more than one state park in a day. You can find more information about Georgia State Park passes here.
- I always recommend bringing some cash to enter these North Georgia waterfalls. Entry fees are usually between $2 to $20, depending on your group size. Rates are listed for each waterfall below but are subject to change.
- While these North Georgia waterfalls make incredible hikes, you want to bring a good pair of hiking shoes. Some of these hikes have uneven, muddy, and rocky terrain.
- Sometimes, these waterfalls might have little to no water flow, especially during droughts. For example, I’ve seen no water before at Cherokee Falls and Hemlock Falls at Cloudland Canyon State Park. We also saw minimal water flow at DeSoto Falls.
- Bring lots of water, snacks, a hat, sunscreen, and prepare for any weather. If you are familiar with Georgia’s temperamental weather, it can be sunny and warm one day and the next day freezing, with light snow on the ground. I can’t tell you how many times I wish I had remembered to bring gloves while my hands turned numb and red from the frigid temperatures.
- Consider downloading a hiking app like All Trails before starting your waterfall hike.
- As always, be careful around waterfalls. Don’t climb them, as the rocks can be slippery and dangerous. No picture or view is worth the risk of falling.
Visit the Best North Georgia Waterfalls:
Below is my list of the top North Georgia waterfalls to visit. These all make wonderful day hikes and great waterfall pictures!
Amicalola Falls
HIKE DIFFICULTY: Moderate to difficult if hiking from the base of the falls to the top (hiking difficulty can vary).
HIKING DISTANCE: Hiking distance can vary depending on the trails you take.
LOCATION: This waterfall is located in Amicalola Falls State Park at 418 Amicalola Falls Road, Dawsonville, GA 30534.
PARKING: Various parking spots are available throughout the park, but parking near the visitor center can be limited. This is one of the most popular North Georgia waterfalls, especially during October.
ENTRY FEE: $5 GA State Park Pass or $50 Annual Park Pass. You can pay for the daily or annual park pass at the GA State Park Pass website.
OPENING HOURS: The park is open during daylight hours, and the visitor center is open daily from 8:30am to 5pm.
Amicalola Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls in North Georgia, and it is not too far from the Blue Ridge (about 40 minutes). At 729 feet, it is Georgia’s tallest waterfall. If you want a good workout, you can hike from the base of the falls to the top – over 600 steps! This doesn’t include the strenuous hike to reach those steps. You will probably not want to do this hike on a hot summer day as the sun’s rays blaze down on you while you climb the stairs to the top.
But there is an option to skip all the steps and drive straight to the top! You’ll still have to walk a little to see the waterfall’s top, but it’s not as strenuous as the steps up. This pathway is ADA accessible and is approximately 0.3 miles. However, parking is more limited at the top, so you might have to wait for a parking spot.
There is a gift shop, a visitor center, public restrooms, picnic tables, and even a lovely lodge if you want to stay the night at Amicalola Falls State Park.
Toccoa Falls
HIKE DIFFICULTY: Easy (hiking difficulty can vary).
HIKING DISTANCE: Little less than 1/2 mile round trip.
LOCATION: 107 Kincaid Drive, Toccoa Falls, Georgia 30598
PARKING: You can park for free on the campus next to the gift shop and entrance to the waterfall.
ENTRY FEE: $2 per person ($1 for seniors) and free for children six and under.
OPENING HOURS: Monday through Friday, 10am to 4pm; Saturday-Sunday, 12pm to 4pm. Closed on holidays and when the campus is closed.
Toccoa Falls is unique for many reasons. Not only is it taller than Niagara Falls, but it is also one of the tallest freefall waterfalls in the Eastern United States. It makes for spectacular vertical waterfall images, and if you are lucky, you might see a rainbow at the base of the falls.
You also cannot find many waterfalls on a college campus. Located at Toccoa Falls College, this waterfall is one of the easiest waterfall hikes in North Georgia. There is not much elevation gain, and it is a short walk from where you buy your admission at the gift shop to the waterfall’s base.
Like Amicalola Falls, Toccoa Falls is a popular waterfall in Georgia. Therefore, expect a lot of people, especially on beautiful weekends. Remember that you usually cannot access the waterfall when the campus is closed. And if you are wondering if you can swim at this waterfall, you cannot.
DeSoto Falls (Upper and Lower)
HIKE DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate (hiking difficulty can vary).
HIKING DISTANCE: The entire DeSoto Falls Trail is approximately 2 to 3 miles. You can decide how far you want to hike.
LOCATION: US 129/19 North Dahlonega, GA 30533. You can plug it into your GPS or find the site here.
PARKING: There are few parking places, so arrive early during peak times (especially during fall) and on weekends.
ENTRY FEE: $5 to park. Bring cash to place your money in an envelope for the dropbox.
OPENING HOURS: I couldn’t find the exact opening hours, but I probably wouldn’t hike here before sunrise or after sunset.
Imagine walking through a heavily wooded forest with tall trees reaching toward the sky. The morning light shines on raindrops rolling off leaves from a recent rain shower. You smell campground coffee drifting through the air as you walk, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Doesn’t this hike sound heavenly?
I’ve never been to the Pacific Northwest United States, but the DeSoto Falls trail is precisely how I imagine it. The hike to the Upper Falls at DeSoto is one of my favorite waterfall hikes in North Georgia. We went early in the morning – it was serene with few people on the trail.
When you arrive at the trailhead, you will see a sign indicating the Upper or Lower Falls directions. The Lower Falls hike is more strenuous, with elevation gain and switchbacks. Since we visited after it rained, the trail to the Lower Falls was extremely muddy. There are also some of the most enormous mushrooms I’ve seen on a trail! Of course, we stopped to take some macro photos.
There are not many parking spaces at DeSoto Falls Recreation Area – you will definitely want to arrive early or visit during a less crowded time (usually during a non-holiday weekday when school is in session). Also, you might want to see these waterfalls after recent rain – sometimes, there can be little to no water flow if there is an ongoing dry spell.
L’Eau d’Or Falls at Tallulah Gorge State Park
HIKE DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate if you only hike to the rim overlooks to see L’Eau d’Or Falls. The hike is strenuous if you continue further down the gorge (hiking difficulty can vary).
HIKING DISTANCE: Approximately 3/4 of a mile one way if you do the North Rim Trail to see the five overlooks. Overlooks 2 and 3 are not too far from the Interpretive Center.
LOCATION: 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Drive, Tallulah Falls, GA 30573
PARKING: The parking lot is large, with many spaces to park.
ENTRY FEE: $5 GA State Park Pass to see L’Eau d’Or Falls and Hurricane Falls. The annual pass is $50 per year. If you don’t buy the daily GA State Park Pass online, you can pay with cash or scan the QR code at the entrance.
OPENING HOURS: Daily year-round from 8am to nighttime.
L’Eau d’Or Falls, commonly referred to as Tallulah Falls, is one of five waterfalls in Tallulah Gorge State Park. There are five overlooks altogether, but we visited overlooks 2 and 3 on the North Rim Trail, which provides excellent views of L’Eau d’Or Falls. You can see both L’Eau d’Or Falls and the top of Tempesta Falls at Overlook 2. Overlooks 2 and 3 are not far from the parking lot, the Jane Hurt Yarn Interpretive Center, a gift shop, and restrooms.
Tallulah Gorge is approximately 1000 feet deep and one of the most beautiful canyons in the Eastern United States. Fall time is so lovely with the vibrant fall colors in the gorge. The hike isn’t too difficult to Overlooks 2 and 3, but if you continue down the gorge onto the Hurricane Falls Trail, be prepared for a strenuous hike, especially when you go back up!
Hurricane Falls at Tallulah Gorge State Park
HIKE DIFFICULTY: Strenuous (hiking difficulty can vary).
HIKING DISTANCE: Hurricane Falls Trail is approximately 2.25 miles round trip.
LOCATION: 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Drive, Tallulah Falls, GA 30573
PARKING: The parking lot is large, with many spaces to park.
ENTRY FEE: $5 GA State Park Pass to see L’Eau d’Or Falls and Hurricane Falls. The annual pass is $50 per year. If you don’t buy the daily GA State Park Pass online, you can pay with cash or scan the QR code at the entrance.
OPENING HOURS: Daily year-round from 8am to nighttime.
After seeing L’Eau d’Or Falls at Tallulah Gorge State Park (see above), you can venture further into the gorge to see Hurricane Falls at the bottom. Hurricane Falls Trail is a long, strenuous hike, but it is worth seeing this waterfall and getting nice pictures of the Tallulah River.
Plus, the most fun part of this waterfall hike is the suspension bridge, which hangs 80 feet above the gorge. Don’t look down if you are afraid of heights! I always get slightly nervous on the bridge, but it really isn’t that bad. You can feel the bridge move, especially on a breezy, windy day.
There are over 1000 steps on Hurricane Falls Trail, and I was struggling on the way back up. Will I do this hike in the middle of summer? Absolutely not! For obvious reasons, the hike down is more pleasant than the hike back up to the parking lot.
Minnehaha Falls
HIKE DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate (hiking difficulty can vary).
HIKING DISTANCE: Little less than 1/2 mile round trip.
LOCATION: No specific address for Minnehaha Falls, but the GPS should be able to locate it. You can find it here on the map.
PARKING: Free parking, but there are not many places to park. Arrive early during weekends and during peak visiting times. People tend to visit when the weather is nice, school is out of session, or during fall foliage.
ENTRY FEE: No fee!
OPENING HOURS: I couldn’t find the exact opening hours, but I probably wouldn’t hike here before sunrise or after sunset.
Not to be confused with Minnehaha Falls in Minnesota, Minnehaha Falls in North Georgia is gorgeous. The water cascades down the smooth, dark rocks as it makes its way down to Lake Rabun. It is a short walk to the falls, and you can get pretty close to this waterfall. I do not think it is deep enough to swim in, but you can probably cool your feet off in the water or wade. Be careful, however, since the rocks are slippery.
There is little elevation gain on the trail, but there are some steps up when you first begin your hike. It can also get a bit muddy, so you might want to bring an extra pair of shoes if you don’t want to deal with a potential mess.
Parking can be a nightmare if you don’t arrive early. For that reason, you might want to visit Minnehaha Falls during non-holiday weekdays if your schedule permits. Also, take note that there is no public restroom at Minnehaha Falls.
Anna Ruby Falls
HIKE DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate (hiking difficulty can vary).
HIKING DISTANCE: Almost one-mile round trip.
LOCATION: 3455 Anna Ruby Falls Road, Helen, GA 30545
PARKING: There are lots of places to park. However, this is one of the most popular North Georgia waterfalls, so it might be harder to park during peak visiting times.
ENTRY FEE: $5 per person (ages 16 and up). Free admission for 15 and under.
OPENING HOURS: 9am to 5pm, with the last entry at 4pm. Check their website for occasional updates on their opening hours.
Another popular waterfall in North Georgia is Anna Ruby Falls. It is a double falls that makes spectacular images if you plan to take some photos. You cannot swim here, but a viewing platform takes you pretty close to the falls for photography.
The walk is also not terrible, as it is a short hike to the waterfall viewing platforms on a paved trail. Since Anna Ruby Falls is a well-known waterfall in North Georgia, expect it to be more crowded, especially on weekends and pretty days.
There is a gift shop, a public bathroom, and a vending machine if you forget some snacks at Anna Ruby Falls. You can even get a picture with Smokey the Bear! And if you have extra time, don’t forget to stop in for lunch at Helen, a little Bavarian-style mountain town, or you can picnic at Unicoi State Park – both are close to Anna Ruby Falls.
Trahlyta Falls
HIKE DIFFICULTY: Easy to Moderate (hiking difficulty can vary).
HIKING DISTANCE: Approximately 1-mile roundtrip.
LOCATION: This waterfall is in Vogel State Park at 405 Vogel State Park Road, Blairsville, GA 30512.
PARKING: There are ample parking spots at Vogel State Park, but I would still arrive early as these tend to fill quickly, especially on weekends and during peak fall foliage.
ENTRY FEE: $5 (Bring cash or a check to put in an envelope at the dropbox or pay online at the GA State Park website). The annual GA State park pass is $50.
OPENING HOURS: 7am to 10pm (state park hours)
Trahlyta Falls is a hidden gem in GA that I didn’t know existed until recently when we saw a sign for the falls while visiting Vogel State Park. It is a beautiful waterfall that cascades down the hillside in the Chattahoochee National Forest.
The waterfall is easy to access and probably one of the most pleasant hikes on this list. You can park in the main parking lot at the Vogel State Park Visitor Center. You’ll follow a dirt pathway around the calm Lake Trahlyta and eventually reach an area where you can take a panoramic photo of the lake. There will be a trailhead sign for Trahlyta Falls. Continue the path that goes slightly downwards into the woods. After a few minutes, you will reach the waterfall, where you can walk down a few steps bringing you near the base of the falls.
Once you take in the waterfall’s beauty, make your way back to the lake and continue the trail that goes around the lake back to the parking lot. If you go for fall colors, prepare to take lots of photos – it’s incredibly vibrant at the waterfall and the surrounding lake area.
Dukes Creek Falls
HIKE DIFFICULTY: Moderate (hiking difficulty can vary).
HIKING DISTANCE: Approximately 2 miles round trip.
LOCATION: 1699 Richard Russell Highway, Helen, Georgia
PARKING: Not many parking places, so you will want to arrive early in the day.
ENTRY FEE: $4 per vehicle (Bring cash or a check to put in an envelope at the dropbox).
OPENING HOURS: Sunrise to sunset.
Out of all the North Georgia waterfalls that I’ve visited, I had my scariest experience at Dukes Creek Falls. I don’t want to discourage anyone from seeing the falls as it is a lovely, tall waterfall where water rapidly gushes down the mountainside and empties into Dukes Creek.
But as soon as I stepped out of my car at the trailhead, I heard some loud movement in the nearby leaves. To notice something says a lot because I am often oblivious to sounds in nature (I need to work on that!).
I returned to my car for a little bit until I felt safe to venture out again. No more sounds were present, thank goodness! However, on my way down the pathway to start the hike, I noticed the sign, “Bears are active in this area.”
I stopped abruptly and seriously considered if I should go further. Black bears live in North Georgia. I’ve never seen one before, but I rather not make the acquaintance.
Deciding to push on, I loudly sang songs down to the waterfall to make enough noise to keep any bears away, hopefully. Luckily there were very few people to hear my terrible attempts at singing. And I also saw no bears! With that said, be bear aware!
Also, Dukes Creek Falls has minimal public amenities – a small outhouse for the bathroom but no visitor center. I highly suggest bringing hand sanitizer as it is not the cleanest bathroom in the world.
Near the outhouse, you are treated to a panoramic view of Yonah Mountain in the distance. I can imagine the spectacular scenery during spring, summer, and early fall! Unfortunately, we visited near the end of fall, so the trees had shed their leaves. However, this gives us all the more reason to visit again soon!
Helton Creek Falls
HIKE DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate (hiking difficulty can vary).
HIKING DISTANCE: Approximately 0.6-mile round trip.
LOCATION: No specific address for Helton Creek Falls, but you can plug it into your GPS or find it here.
PARKING: Free parking, but not many parking spots are available. Arrive early during peak visiting times and weekends.
ENTRY FEE: Free!
OPENING HOURS: I couldn’t find the exact opening hours, but I probably wouldn’t hike here before sunrise or after sunset.
Helton Creek is another double waterfall on Blood Mountain in the Chattahoochee National Forest. Both waterfalls are spectacular, especially the upper falls with the stones and the fallen tree in the foreground, making the falls very picturesque. The hiking trail to Helton Creek Falls is rocky, with some steps and slight elevation gain, but it isn’t too strenuous overall.
There is a wooden platform to see the upper falls, but you can walk right up to the lower falls. If there is abundant water flow on the day you visit the lower falls, you might get wet. Some people swim here, but I am not so sure I would do so since there was a snake the last time I was there!
There is no public restroom at Helton Creek Falls, but you can stop nearby at Mountain Crossings at Neel Gap, an outdoor outfitter on the Appalachian Trail. They have an excellent section of outdoor gifts and apparel. You might even meet some people hiking the Appalachian Trail (something I’ve always wanted to do!).
Also, the drive into Helton Creek Falls is long – about 2 miles of dirt road with some potholes. My little car struggles on this road, but somehow, we make it to our destination.
Lula Falls at Lula Lake Land Trust
HIKE DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate hike to see the top of Lula Falls. Moderate to strenuous if you hike down to the base of the falls (hiking difficulty can vary).
HIKING DISTANCE: There are several trails to choose from, but the suggested route is the Classic Route (4.5 miles) which takes you to the base of the falls and back. To hike from the parking lot to the top of the waterfall and back is 4.2 miles.
LOCATION: 5000 Lula Lake Rd, Lookout Mountain, GA 30750
PARKING: The Lula Lake Land Trust volunteers will show you where to park when you arrive.
ENTRY FEE: $16 per vehicle, plus a $2.60 fee (you must make a reservation to hike to this waterfall)
OPENING HOURS: Saturdays and Sundays from 9am to 5pm on select weekends. Visit the Lula Lake Land Trust website for reservations and more information.
Out of all the North Georgia waterfalls, you do not want to miss this waterfall and hike. Lula Falls and the surrounding area is a unique waterfall because it is maintained by a nonprofit organization, the Lula Lake Land Trust. You can only access this North Georgia waterfall on certain days of the year – usually each month’s first and last weekends. And you must make a reservation for this waterfall hike. You can make this reservation on their website.
Depending on your time, there are many trail options, including a chance to hike to the overlook to see the top of the waterfall without hiking down to the base.
But if you have time to hike to the base of this waterfall in North GA, you will not be disappointed. The hike is strenuous, and I often questioned if I was on the trail when we hiked down, but the view from the bottom is well worth the effort. However, expect to get wet depending on how close you get to the waterfall. I quickly took a picture before hastily putting my camera in my bag to prevent water damage.
There is also a nice overlook on Lookout Mountain where big puffy, white clouds cast their shadows onto the GA farmland below. You can read more about hiking to see Lula Falls and the Lula Lake Land Trust in my article here.
Cherokee Falls at Cloudland Canyon State Park
HIKE DIFFICULTY: Moderate to strenuous (hiking difficulty can vary).
HIKING DISTANCE: Approximately 1-mile round trip to see Cherokee Falls.
LOCATION: 122 Cloudland Canyon Park Road, Rising Fawn, GA 30738
PARKING: Parking can be limited around the trailhead for Cloudland Canyon Waterfalls Trail.
ENTRY FEE: $5 daily GA State Park Pass to see Cherokee Falls and Hemlock Falls (listed below). Or, you can use the annual park pass, which costs $50 yearly.
OPENING HOURS: Park hours are 7am to 10pm.
Cherokee Falls is located on the Cloudland Canyon Waterfalls Trail at Cloudland Canyon State Park. It is about 1/2 mile into the canyon to see Cherokee Falls (approximately 1-mile round-trip). Water flow can vary at this waterfall, so it might be best to visit after recent heavy rain.
The hike is moderate to strenuous, with many steps down the staircases as you journey into the canyon and back up. While the hike can be challenging, you are rewarded with not one but two waterfalls if you continue down to see Hemlock Falls. You can visit my article, Hiking the Beautiful Cloudland Canyon Waterfalls Trail, for more information about this hike.
Also, the view of the canyon is spectacular. If you are lucky, you might see a cloud inversion. I’ve been to Cloudland Canyon State Park many times, but the last time was the first time we experienced a low-hanging cloud slowly receding out of the canyon as the morning progressed. I can finally now say that Cloudland Canyon lived up to its name!
Hemlock Falls at Cloudland Canyon State Park
HIKE DIFFICULTY: Moderate to strenuous (hiking difficulty can vary).
HIKING DISTANCE: Approximately 2-mile round trip.
LOCATION: 122 Cloudland Canyon Park Road, Rising Fawn, GA 30738
PARKING: Parking can be limited around the trailhead for Cloudland Canyon Waterfalls Trail.
ENTRY FEE: $5 daily GA State Park Pass to see Cherokee Falls (listed above) and Hemlock Falls. Or, you can use the annual park pass, which costs $50 yearly.
OPENING HOURS: Park hours are 7am to 10pm.
Hemlock Falls is on the same trail as Cherokee Falls at Cloudland Canyon State Park. Similar to Cherokee Falls, water flow can vary at Hemlock Falls. I visited Hemlock Falls when it was just a tiny trickle to a copious amount of water gushing off the cliff.
You cannot swim at Hemlock Falls, but you can view the waterfall from a distance on a wooden platform. An enormous boulder sits in front of this waterfall, making it interesting for photo composition. There are also some lovely views of the river near Hemlock Falls if you want to hike further.
What are some North Georgia waterfalls that you’ve visited? Please share your experience below!