Waterfalls of North Georgia

Amicalola Falls

The highest waterfall in Georgia, falling 729 feet in seven cascades. At the base of the falls, there is a parking area, a reflection pool, and 3/10-mile paved trail leading to an observation deck at the top of the falls.

Directions: from Dahlonega, Amicalola State Park’s entrance is on GA Highway 52, east of Ellijay or west of Dahlonega.

Anna Ruby Falls

Curtis Creek falls 153 feet and York Creek drops 50 feet down the slopes of Tray Mountain in twin waterfalls. The very steep 4/10 mile Anna Ruby Falls Trail is paved and has benches along the trail for sitting or resting while enjoying the beauty of the area.

Directions: from Helen, take GA 75 North one mile. Right on GA 356 for 1.5 miles, left on the entrance road to the falls.

High Shoals Falls

A succession of five waterfalls graces this 170-acre 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.

Becky Branch Falls

The 20 foot Becky Branch Falls is easily observed from a wooden bridge which crosses the stream. Becky Branch Falls is accessed via the Bartram Trail.

Directions: From Clayton, Georgia go east on Warwoman Road (County Rd. 5) for just less than 3 mile to Poll Creek Road. Park on left side of road by a small branch. Follow the trail on the right side of the branch for about 200 yards to a bridge at the base of the falls.

Blood Mountain Falls & Falls on Waters Creek

This beautiful waterfall is located on Blood Mountain Stream. The stream flows almost 20 feet through a rock cut, creating a churning sluice of water.

Directions: From US 19/129 (Turners Corner), go west on US 19 for approx. 1/2 mile to Waters Creek Recreation Area. Turn right, go approx. 2.8 miles and park in the lot to the right. Across the road is a path to the viewing area.

Cowrock Creek Falls

Cowrock Creek Falls is ab out 30 feet high.

Directions: From the junction of Hwy 19 and 129, travel 1.4 miles on Hwy 19/129 North to FR 443 and turn right. Travel 2.3 miles on FR 443. Park & walk on the old logging road for 0.6 miles.

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.

Dukes Creek Falls

A well-designed trail winds its way into Dukes Creek Gorge, ending at the base of the falls which drop about 150 feet down sheer granite canyon into Dukes Creek.

Directions: Take GA 75 north from Helen for 1.5 miles. Turn left on GA 356 (75 Alternate) for 2.3 miles to the Richard Russell Scenic Highway. Turn right, go 2 miles to Dukes Creek Falls Recreation Area.

Estatoah Falls

Estatoah Falls is a large, open waterfall that may be viewed from the highway.

Directions: It is about 1/2 mile beyond Dillard. Turn right on Highlands/Sky Valley Road (GA 246). Start looking for the falls on the right after 1 mile. There is a pull-out vantage point near the falls about 1 mile up the mountain.

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.

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.

Horse Trough Falls

A succession of five waterfalls graces this 170acre 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.

Martin Creek Falls

This two-tier waterfall is 35 feet high with aquatic plants covering the weeping rock wall on the left. This 20-minute walk (.5 mile) follows the Bartram Trail along the west side of the creek.

Clayton/Rabun County Area: From Clayton, go east on Warwoman Road for 3 miles. Turn left onto Forest Service Road 152, and drive past the Game Checking Station. The park drive is .5-mile. Park in a small cleared camping area on the left bend in the road. Walk west from the camping area. Cross Martin Creek, then travel uphill for about .4 mile to the top of the falls.

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.

Minnehaha Falls

The Minnehaha Trail, .4-mile in length, follows Fall Branch until it dead ends at Minnehaha Falls. This waterfall is approximately 100 feet high (falling and shoaling).

Clayton/Rabun County Area: Take U.S. 23/441 north from Tallulah Falls for three miles to the Rabun Beach Recreation Area sign. Turn left onto Old 441. Go 2.5 miles and take a left on Lake Rabun Road. Go 1 mile past Recreation area. Take a left on Low Gap Road. Follow Bear Gap road which forks to the left. Go 1.5 miles to the sign marking the trail on the right side of the road.

Mud Creek Falls

This great waterfall is approximately 100 feet high with an impressive spouting fume down the middle.

Directions: Take Highway 441 north to Dillard. Turn right on GA Hwy 246 and follow signs to Sky Valley. At Sky Valley’s entrance gate, turn left. Turn right on Tahoe Rd and follow the trails.

Raven Cliff Falls

The first fall drops 60 feet, then rushes through a split in the face of a solid rock outcropping and drops 20 feet into a deep pool, and then falls another 20 feet to Dodd Creek. 3 other waterfalls can be found on Dodd Creek.

Directions: from Helen, take GA 75 north for 1.5 miles. Turn left onto GA 356(75 Alternate) and travel 2.3 miles to the Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway. Turn right and travel 2.8 miles to the trailhead and parking area.

Sea Creek Falls

In the Cooper Creek Scenic Area, Sea Creek Falls are an easy walk of less than .1 miles. Two steeply cascading falls flow into a large, shallow pool at the base which is popular as a wading pool.

Directions: (Four wheel drive vehicle recommended) From Hwy 515 just past Blue Ridge, take Highway 60 south toward Morganton. At Cooper Creek Store turn left on Cooper Creek Rd. After 3.3 miles the road makes a dramatic turn back on itself and FS 264 is to the left. Travel .3 miles to a campground, park and walk .1 miles further up the creek.