Waterfalls of North Georgia

High Shoals Falls

A succession of five waterfalls graces this 170acre scenic area. These falls have an estimated total vertical drop of 300 feet. Directions: Take GA 75 north from Helen for 11.4 miles. Turn right on Forest Service Road 283 at the High Shoals sign. Go 1.5 miles on this road to the High Shoals Scenic Area.

Horse Trough Falls

A succession of five waterfalls graces this 170-acre scenic area. These falls have an estimated total vertical drop of 300 feet. Helen/Hiawassee Area: Take GA 75 north from Helen for 11.4 miles. Turn right on Forest Service Road 283 at the High Shoals sign. Go 1.5 miles on this road to the High Shoals Scenic Area. 30 | vACATION GUIDE in the Mountains

Mill Creek Falls

The first waterfall drops about 150 feet into Mill Creek. The second plunges another 150 feet, into a series of rapids through the Mill Creek Gorge. Directions: from Hiawassee, take U.S. 76 east, go right on Hwy. 75 for 3.5 miles, left on Mill Creek Rd (FSR 26) for 2.5 miles.

Helton Creek Falls

Two waterfalls, one small, and one large, are located on Helton Creek. Directions: Go to Helton Creek Road and Forest Service Rd 118, just 1 1/2 miles north of Neel’s Gap off Highway 19/129. The road is on the right as you travel north. It is just south of Vogel State Park. You have only .2 mile trail leading from the parking area on Helton Creek Road, to the base of the larger upper falls.

DeSoto Falls

Three falls along a 3 mile section of the DeSoto Falls Trail are maintained for the hiker’s viewing convenience, and are designated as the lower (cascading 20 feet), the middle (falls about 80 feet) and the upper (about 200 feet) DeSoto Falls. Directions: From Dahlonega travel north on US 19 for 13.5 miles to Turners Corner. At this intersection, turn left and proceed on US 129 for 4.2 miles. Shortly after the Walasi-yi Center is a left turn for the park.

Hemlock Falls

The scenic two-mile trail leading to Hemlock Falls teases visitors with the sounds of rushing water during the entire hike. From Clayton: take 76W to HWY 197. Follow HWY 197 to Moccasin Creek State Park/ Lake Burton Fish Hatchery, turning right onto Andersonville Lane, the gravel road across from the hatchery. Continue 0.5 miles until the road dead ends at the trailhead. Follow the trail along Moccasin Creek. You will cross a bridge above one set of falls and will pass another small set of falls on your left before continuing up the trail to the larger Hemlock Falls.