Ten incredibly beautiful North Georgia waterfalls you can easily schedule into your road trip or vacation.
Table of Contents
- 1 10 Favorite North Georgia Waterfalls
- 2 Helton Creek Falls
- 3 Lake Trahlyta Falls
- 4 Dukes Creek Falls
- 5
- 6 DeSoto Falls
- 7 Dicks Creek Falls
- 8
- 9 Fall Branch Falls
- 10 Woody Lake Falls
- 11 Amicalola Falls
- 12 Toccoa Falls
- 13 The Falls at Tallulah Gorge
- 14 Map It!
- 15 5 Elusive North Georgia Waterfalls
- 16 We Would Love to Hear From You
- 17 Pin this Post!
10 Favorite North Georgia Waterfalls
The scenic beauty of North Georgia, no matter the season, is breathtaking! All of it . . . the mountains, the valleys, the forests, the sky, and the waterfalls that abound. I fell so in love with this incredible place that I bought myself a log cabin on an acre of mountain land over a decade ago and named it Pinebox. Even today, when I get out on those North Georgia backroads, I still feel like I’m driving through a Hidden Valley ranch dressing commercial.
Back in the day, I spent a lot of time scouting out local waterfalls, and now whenever I have guests at the cabin we typically choose a couple of these water features as day trip destinations. It has been said that the Cherokee called this region “The Land of a Thousand Waterfalls,” so I offer you ten of my favorite North Georgia waterfalls that you can easily schedule into your backroad trips or vacation.
If you are an avid waterfall-chaser interested in heading even farther off the beaten path, also check out our 5 Elusive Georgia Mountain Waterfalls post.
(All photographs were enhanced with the Kelvin filter at Instagram.)
Helton Creek Falls
Union County
Helton Falls is the standard go-to if I have guests at the cabin and want to show off my mountains. It’s a close drive, a short hike, and its magnificence does not disappoint. There are two distinct waterfalls to visit along the trail, and the pool at the upper falls makes a refreshing swimming hole, even if you didn’t bring your swimsuit. (Don’t ask.)
Although many hemlock trees in the area have suffered a fate similar to the one at Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, nature is resilient and the vegetation will eventually recover. Helton Falls may not be the highest or most majestic of the North Georgia waterfalls, but it is my favorite of them all.
Lake Trahlyta Falls
Union County
If you head south on Hwy. 19/129 from Blairsville to Helton Falls, you will pass a lovely waterfall and perhaps not even notice it. Lake Trahlyta Falls (as I call it) is located within Vogel State Park, and there is a great hiking trail and overlook for viewing the waterfall, if you want to pay the $5.00 parking fee, that is. However, if you are a cheapskate like me, there is also a (not official) roadside pullover area that gives a great view of both Lake Trahlyta and the falls from the highway.
Dukes Creek Falls
White County
I guess you could say the hike to Dukes Creek Falls is my favorite. Although the 4-mile roundtrip walk is longer than hikes to most of the other North Georgia waterfalls, the trail here is wide and follows a series of low-incline switchbacks that make it a relaxing experience hiking there and back. Observation decks are optimally positioned along the trail, and simply put, these are great falls to make you enjoy being in the moment.
The first time I hiked Dukes Creek was during one of my annual autumn jaunts to the mountains. The air was cool, my Mercier’s apple was crisp, and I was pretty much in heaven. Memorable days like these make one want to return again and again.
DeSoto Falls
Lumpkin County
DeSoto Falls has a large paved parking lot, with a $3.00 fee, attached to an improved camping and picnicking area. Soon after you begin the hike to the falls, you will come to a fork in the trail. I recommend taking the trail to the left first on a short hike to view the lower falls. Then, retrace your steps and return to the fork to follow the 1.5 mile trail to the upper falls.
As pictured above, the upper falls has multiple levels. On one visit to the falls, a friend (who will remain nameless) and I decided to climb unauthorized side trails and check out the upper levels. While we were playing under the water at one level, I suddenly noticed my friend sliding on his belly toward the drop-off. The moment seemed to go into slow-motion, and there was nothing I could do to reach him before he went over the edge. Then abruptly, without apparent cause, his slide slowed and stopped, and he was able to crawl to safety on the side. There is a reason they tell you not to foolishly put yourself in harm’s way. I thought I had learned my lesson, yet I later found myself taking a chance once again at another of those irresistible North Georgia waterfalls.
Dicks Creek Falls
Lumpkin County
I have visited Dicks Creek Falls on more than one occasion, and it is a true beauty. Not only is this a scenic location to scout at various points above and below the falls, but it also has a great swimming hole. We get a substantial amount of search engine traffic on this post from readers seeking “waterfalls in Georgia you can swim in.” One of these days I will finish my research and publish a post addressing that popular topic, but don’t hold your breath (pun intended).
Note: These falls should not be confused with Dick’s Creek Falls in Rabun County.
Fall Branch Falls
Fannin County
I have hiked Fall Branch Falls in seasons when the forest was naked and when it was leafed-out and lush. Each of my visits have been rewarding experiences. These falls are not far from my home at Pinebox, and the route there is an incredibly lovely backroad mountain drive. A common occurrence on these mountain roads is when one is driving along and suddenly the smooth pavement becomes a bumpy gravel road. The drive to Fall Branch Falls is one such drive, but not for long. When the pavement ends, you immediately drive through an abandoned farm complete with a ramshackle house and outbuildings. Just beyond is a small pullover parking area for the trailhead to the falls.
The .5 mile hike is straight up the mountain, but soon you will see the first in a series of cascades that make up the falls, and side trails take you to the various levels. I have often said that I am not into extreme adventures of any flavor, yet I was one of the hikers on a previous trip who took a less orthodox and less safe ascent to the falls. The trail back to the parking area, of course, is straight down the mountain.
If you have time to spare on your day trip, the Toccoa River Swinging Bridge is only fifteen miles down the road.
Woody Lake Falls
Union County
There are countless unmarked roadside water features in North Georgia. While driving the mountain backroads, you typically don’t realize what you have seen until you pass it and end up searching for a pullover to U-turn and get a better look. I found Woody Lake Falls (again, the name I gave it) this way while exploring in the southern part of Union County several years ago.
I was headed south on Hwy. 60 through the town of Suches, and just past the junction with Hwy. 180 I caught a glimpse of the falls to my left. No sign. No name. Nothing. These types of discoveries make you want to shout, “Hey people, did you know there is a gorgeous waterfall right here in your town by the side of the road?” I drove past the falls once again on a later outing and noticed they were still unmarked. A case of spoiled North Georgians, I’d say . . . .
Amicalola Falls
Dawson County
The highest waterfall in Georgia is located in Amicalola Falls State Park. In the early years, I frequented the park not only for the falls, but also for the meatloaf on the Maple Restaurant buffet at the lodge. That was also during the time I would hike the paved trail and climb the multiple staircases from bottom to top and back again. Later, I discovered the cushy recycled rubber tire side trail to the observation deck, and I just love it!
A fascinating feature along both accesses to the falls are the antique trucks and cars that toppled off the mountain ages ago and have never been removed. In fact, they have become such a part of the landscape that staircases were built directly on top of them! Rather than make the park look like a junkyard, however, they add a fascinating element of history to the hike. I would love to hear the stories behind those rusty landmarks!
On a side note, the 8.5-mile trail to Springer Mountain, the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, also begins in the park.
Toccoa Falls
Stephens County
The waters of Toccoa Falls plunge 186 feet onto the campus of Toccoa Falls College, a private Christian school. But don’t worry! When you stop at the guard shack, just tell the attendant you want to see the falls, and they will let you in.
You may recall that this is the site of the dam break in November of 1977 that killed 39 people and injured 60 others and destroyed a substantial part of the campus. A marble memorial near the falls bears the names of those who lost their lives that fateful day.
Always on the lookout for an additional site I can squeeze in on a road trip, I first visited the falls on a Thanksgiving morning while driving to Greenville, South Carolina, to have dinner with my maternal cousins. Toccoa Falls is unlike any of the other North Georgia waterfalls I have seen. As the photo above attests, these falls more closely resemble the Roadside Waterfalls of Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge.
The Falls at Tallulah Gorge
Rabun County
Tallulah Falls is a series of six separate waterfalls: L’Eau d’Or, Tempesta, Hurricane, Oceana, Bridal Veil, and Lovers Leap. All are located within Tallulah Gorge State Park.
I remember stopping to see the gorge on occasion with my family as a child when traveling from Florida to my grandfather’s cabin in Franklin, North Carolina. I also remember hearing about the great Karl Wallenda crossing the gorge on a tightrope in 1970. The concrete towers from that feat remain to this day.
The park has many trails and overlooks for viewing the waterfalls, along with a suspension bridge, multiple steep staircases, and even one of those cushy recycled rubber paths. Only 100 visitors are permitted to hike the gorge per day, so plan on arriving early.
If you happen to be waterfall-chasing in the area, you are not far from the Mountain Waters Scenic Byway between Highlands and Franklin, North Carolina, a drive that features more than five amazing roadside waterfalls.
Note: Traditionally, parking at Georgia State Parks has been free on Wednesdays. I have not verified that lately, but I did find this thrifty feature on the Georgia State Parks website. “If you have a library card from a Georgia public library, you can check out a ParkPass and Historic Site Pass, just like you would check out a book. You’ll enjoy free parking at Georgia’s State Parks and free admission to State Historic Sites.”
Map It!
5 Elusive North Georgia Waterfalls
Read 5 Elusive Georgia Mountain Waterfalls for more off-the-beaten-path adventures scouting waterfalls in North Georgia!
We Would Love to Hear From You
We enjoy dialogue with our readers, especially when they share off-the-beaten-path destinations and useful travel tips. Have you ever scouted North Georgia waterfalls? If so, we would love to hear your story. We invite you to leave your comments and questions below, and we always respond!
Great review of local waterfalls! Helton Creek Falls looks like a short easy jaunt to a beautiful area. The challenge appears to be the sketchy dirt road and getting a parking spot.
Thanks, Bryson! Helton is probably my all-around favorite waterfall in the area. I have been there more times than I can remember. Compared with some of the washed-out forestry service roads I have traveled in the North Georgia mountains, the gravel road to Helton is great.
I love the photos of these places. They are perfect places to jump and swim …. This is a very beautiful collection of waterfalls. I had no idea that this place has so many amazing waterfalls. I had no idea there a lot of waterfalls in this area.
Yes, Mannat, North Georgia is waterfall heaven!
I live just north of Atlanta, but I haven’t been to all these waterfalls yet. Amicalola was absolutely breathtaking, though! When we visited, a man was finishing hiking the Appalachian Trail at the exact moment we arrived, so I was lucky enough to be able to have a quick chat with him in the visitor’s center about his trip before heading on to the waterfall. It was such a memorable experience. Now I’ve got the rest of all these falls to tackle on my list next!
Hi Jillian! How cool that you got to meet someone who had completed the Appalachian Trail. That is quite an accomplishment. A few years back I hiked from Amicalola out to the Hike Inn (halfway to Springer Mountain) and back, and that was ten miles. North Georgia is waterfall heaven, and you might want to visit our post 5 Elusive North Georgia Waterfalls. I know you will have a blast exploring the other waterfalls on the list!
Thanks for the information. Excited to visit all 10 north georgia waterfalls!
Glad to help. Hope you can visit someday!
You forgot one waterfall, and it’s the Minnehaha waterfall. Kirk
Thanks for mentioning Minnehaha Falls, Kirk! I had not yet visited there when I wrote this post, but I have visited it since, and it is truly a stunning waterfall not far from Tallulah Gorge.
We live just around the corner from Fall Branch Falls, and the thing we like most about it is that in spite of its long tumbling fall, it is gentle enough at the bottom for the children to play in on hot summer days.
Thanks for confirming that, Kevin! I notice in my stats that people always search for waterfalls they can swim in. I need to do a post for that, as well!
Have you made this list of waterfall hikes with swimming? That’s exactly what I am looking for!
Hi Caroline! I know there are hundreds of people like you looking for North Georgia waterfalls to swim in. I have been visiting different locations, and I hope to work on a post soon. Thanks for giving us your input!
I also would love to know where I could go swim around a waterfall—a dream of mine for years;
Hi Samarina, and thanks for the prompt to get the “North Georgia waterfalls you can swim in” post published. I actually had plans to scout some of them this summer, and my plans fell through. I will get on it soon!
Thank you for the information, may wife and I were planning to get away for a few days this spring and this looks to be just the thing. With the rain and snow this winter hopefully the falls will be in all their splendor.
Glad to help, Mike! The North Georgia waterfalls are beautiful in any season. Enjoy!
I love your photos! I have been looking for a good place to swim and jump. Do you know if any of these places have swings that go out over the water? I would love to visit any of the falls, but especially if I can jump off into the water.
Thanks for posting your photos. They are awesome. 🙂
Thank you, Nancy! I am not a photographer, but occasionally I get lucky. It is so interesting that you ask about swimming holes. I know there are rope swings on Lake Nottley and Lake Chatuge because I have friends who have been there, but I don’t know exactly where they are. I need to get the information and do a swimming hole post. I also need to find more waterfalls that allow swimming. Thanks for the nudge in the right direction.
We visit Helen, Georgia every year around June. I love all the falls you have mentioned. We tried to visit Helton creek falls last year but we were blocked by an amandoned car blocking the road. Have you visited this fall recently, and if so, is it clear to get to?
Chris, I haven’t been to Helton Falls since some time last year, but I know the road to the falls is regularly used by people who live in the area. The road would not be permanently blocked. Thanks for visiting Backroad Planet, and be sure to check out our other other waterfall post, 5 Elusive North Georgia Waterfalls.
This is an amazing post because I thought I had to travel all the way to Hawaii to see waterfalls – one of my favorite things. I will need to refer back to this post as Georgia is only one state over. Thank you for sharing these fabulous photos!
Wow! How flattering for Georgia to be compared to Hawaii, of all places. So pleased you enjoy the post, Michelle, and hope you make it over soon.
What an absolutely amazing collection of waterfall photos! I’d have a hard time picking my favorite. Hope to make it to Georgia to see them for myself!
Thanks so much, Anita! I have learned that they all can be your favorite, just in different ways. Helton Falls is my favorite because it is so close to home. Toccoa Falls is my favorite because it is so majestic. Amicalola Falls is . . . . I think you get the picture! So glad you stopped by, and hope you make it up to our Georgia mountains very soon . . . .
I don’t know which one I like best! They’re all so beautiful and unique. Clearly, I’ll have to add Georgia to my list! You’ve done an outstanding job on featuring some of nature’s very elegant artwork. Lovely!
Thanks so much for your kind words, Ursula! The North Georgia mountains are incredibly beautiful, and I hope you get to visit soon.
Those falls are beautiful! I have never visited Georgia, but it is on my list. I would love to see these in person! Visiting from the Boomer Travel group.
Hope you get to visit North Georgia soon, Raquel! As you can imagine, the waterfalls are even more stunning face-to-face. So glad you stopped by!
What a great idea to promote the library and use your card for access and the book you’ll want to read next to a gushing waterfall. Great post. Each spring we drive up the Utah mountains to check out the waterfalls as the spring thaw begins. Wouldn’t miss this annual experience.
Neva, we don’t get a lot of the spring thaw here in Florida, nor when I am up in Georgia, but your comment reminds me of when we did a road trip loop out West. We had planned to cross the Sierra Nevadas from the Nevada side into Yosemite, but we had not done our homework. Luckily we arrived on the very day they opened that entrance due to the spring thaw. Waterfalls everywhere, even across the road! Thanks for stopping by . . . .
What is it about water falling/washing/tumbling over cliffs that keeps us all so enthralled? I don’t know the answer, but we are big fans of the waterfall, state and national parks – and fabulous road trips. An airliner will get you where you need to go, but a road trip lets you invest in the every day life found along the road, such as an awesome waterfall. Thanks so much for stopping by One Road at a Time. I look forward to following and reading more!
I agree, Patti! Fly-drives are the way to go when you can’t drive from home. Thanks for visiting Backroad Planet!
Gorgeous! We’re big on falls too – so we’ve gotcha bookmarked! -David
Wow, absolutely amazing, I had no idea there were so many waterfalls in that area.
Hope you can come check them out sometime . . . .
Nice waterfalls. I especially love The Falls at Tallulah Gorge 🙂
Same here, Chanel! The Falls at Tallulah Gorge could keep me busy for days. Thanks for stopping by!
Wow, so many amazing water falls, loved the tour and map. I think my favorite is De Soto, I would love to see it in person some day.
Glad you enjoyed the tour, Noel! If you happen to be passing through North Georgia and I happen to be up at Pinebox, I would be more than happy to show you around . . . .
Never visited or knew about all the falls in North Georgia but your pictures make a compelling case for a visit!
Why thank you, Irene! Georgia is an incredible state that has everything from mountains to seashores to everything in between. Hope you get to visit our waterfalls someday soon!
What a beautiful collection of waterfalls. I had no idea that North Georgia was once called Land of a Thousand Waterfalls! You did a great job capturing their beauty – I always have challenges photographing waterfalls especially when it’s sunny outside. I’ve pinned a few of these ones (love Toccoa Falls) to remember.
Thanks so much, Michele! I agree that there is something special about Toccoa Falls that sets it apart from all of the others.
What a great blog post! My teenage boys and I hiked into the gorge yesterday at Tallulah, and I’m not sure how I survived. Man, that’s a rough hike — both down AND up!
Thank you for this. I’m going to bookmark it for future reference. I know my 17yo has already done a few of these hikes/trails/waterfalls.
Wanted to let you know that the **FREE** Wednesday died a few years ago, and I’m not sure about the library option. Seems you are the second person I’ve heard mention it. We have a library right across the street. I need to check it out and see if this is true!
Thanks again for the fab post!
Thanks so much for your kind words! I agree with you about the Tallulah hike, but isn’t it oh so worth it? Glad this post was helpful to you and that hopefully you will be able to use it in the future. Thanks also for letting me know about the demise of Free Wednesdays at Georgia State Parks. Hopefully the library option is true. See you on the backroads!
The library card post is still in effect. You can check with your local public library in Georgia to see if the park pass is currently available for checkout. There’s also a pass called GO Fish for the Go Fish Education Center in Perry (https://www.gofisheducationcenter.com/), a dvd that can be watched for a Zoo Atlanta Pass, and a Center for Puppetry Arts pass. They are all really popular–especially during summer–so you may have to call several times. Can you tell that I work at a public library and am really enthusiastic about these passes.
Thanks for the clarification! What an innovative and beneficial idea from Georgia State Parks and public libraries. Hope our readers get to take advantage of the offer.