Wander to a Waterfall!

Waterfalls are the “Gemstones of the East.” Each one is faceted differently. Some have beauty that is big and bold, while others have delicate and subtle characteristics.

Only a few waterfalls are visible from the road or parking lots. But most waterfalls can be easily reached, requiring varying lengths of walks or hikes. Be sure to add a “waterfall wander” to your next trip to Northeast Georgia.

Click here to download a full-color, detailed PDF brochure of the Waterfalls, Grist Mills and Covered Bridges in the Northeast Georgia Mountains.

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Photo by Randy Gray, Broadcast Pro Photo

Blairsville-Cleveland Area

  • DeSoto Falls (Chestatee Ranger District): There are five beautiful waterfalls along the three-mile section of the DeSoto Falls Trail. Three of the falls are maintained for the hiker’s viewing convenience and are designated as the lower, middle and upper DeSoto Falls. Water at the upper falls surges 200 feet down a granite rock incline. Visitors can enjoy a beautiful view of the upper and lower falls from along US 129. Directions: Take US 129 about 15 miles north of Cleveland.
  • Falls on Waters Creek & Blood Mountain Falls: This is a series of three different falls located on Blood Mountain Stream. Water 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 approximately 1/2 mile to Waters Creek Recreation Area. Turn right and go approximately 2.8 miles.
  • Helton Creek Falls (Brasstown Ranger District): Helton Creek Falls Trail (.3 mile in length) follows Helton Creek to two waterfalls with a total vertical drop of 100 feet. The rocks are deceptively slippery around these falls, so exercise caution. Directions: From Blairsville, take US 129 south for 11 miles. Turn left on the first gravel road past the entrance to Vogel State Park. Go 2.2 miles to a small pull out parking area.

Clarkesville-Cornelia Area

  • Panther Creek Falls (Chattooga Ranger District): Panther Creek Falls Trail (5.5 miles in length), noted for its beautiful wildflowers and ferns, follows Panther Creek through stands of hemlock and white pine along steep, rocky bluffs of the creek. The trail passes a series of cascades, as well as Panther Creek Falls and ends where Davidson Creek joins Panther Creek. Hikers with heavy packs should be cautious of rocky overhangs. Directions: From Clarkesville, take US 23/441 north for 10 miles to the Panther Creek Recreation Area.

Clayton Area

  • Angel-Panther Falls: Hike the trail .6 mile to Panther Falls and another .3 mile to Angel Falls. Directions: From Clayton, take US 441/23 south for 7 miles. Turn right on unnumbered county road for .1 mile, then turn left on GA Hwy 15 for two miles. Turn right on County Road 10 for five miles. Enter Rabun Beach Campground #2 entrance, go .2 mile to parking area on right. Trail head is 80 feet to the north.
  • Becky Branch Falls (Tallulah Ranger District): This 20-foot cascade located just five minutes from downtown Clayton is easily accessible. Directions: From Clayton, drive east on Warwoman Road for 2.8 miles and park on left side of road by branch. Walk up the right side of branch on the trail for about 200 yards to a bridge at base of falls.
  • Dick’s Creek Falls (Tallulah Ranger District): This water fall is approximately 60 feet high and makes a sheer drop over a granite mound into the Chattooga River. Directions: From Clayton, drive 6 miles east on Warwoman Road. Turn right onto Dick’s Creek Road or Sand Ford Road. Go .5 mile and take left across the creek and go another 3.5 miles. Cross second ford and park at Bartram Trail sign. Follow trail north to Dick’s Creek. Follow creek to viewing area at top of falls.
  • Holcomb Creek Falls (Tallulah Ranger District): The Holcomb Creek Trail (1.3 miles in length) begins at the intersection of Hale Ridge Road (FSR 7) and Overflow Road (FSR 86) and passes Holcomb Creek Falls & Ammons Creek Falls where there is an observation deck. Directions: Take Warwoman Road east from Clayton for 10 miles. Turn left on FSR 7 (Hale Ridge Road) and drive 9 miles. Park to the east side of intersection with Overflow Creek Road (FSR 86).
  • Martin Creek Falls: A 20-minute walk along the Bartram Trail leads to a 35-foot, two-tier waterfall with aquatic plants covering the weeping rock wall on the left. Directions: From Clayton, go east on Warwoman Road for 3 miles. Turn left onto FSR 152 and drive past the Game Checking Station andother .5 mile. Park in small cleared camping area on the left at a sharp 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.
  • Minnehaha Falls (Tallulah Ranger District): The Minnehaha Trail (.4 mile in length) follows Fall Branch until it deadends at this 100-foot-high falls. Directions: Take US 23/441 north from Tallulah Falls for 3 miles to the Rabun Beach Recreation Area sign. Turn left onto Old 441. Go 2.5 miles and take left on Lake Rabun Road. Go 1 mile past Recreation Area. Take left on Low Gap Road (@ Flat Creek Community sign). Follow Bear Gap Road, which forks to the left, and go 1.5 miles to sign marking the trail on the right side of the road.
  • Mud Creek Falls: Also known as “Little Estatoah,” the falls have a vertical drop of 100 feet and flow into Estatoah Falls in Dillard. Directions: Take US Hwy. 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 Road and follow to the falls.

Dawsonville-Dahlonega Area

  • Amicalola Falls: Amicalola, the Cherokee word for “tumbling waters,” describes the highest waterfall in Georgia. Located within Amicalola Falls State Park, these beautiful falls slide and plunge 729 feet in seven cascades. There are observation decks at the top and base of the falls. Directions: The park entrance is on GA 52, west of Dahlonega and east of Ellijay.

Helen-Hiawassee Area

  • Anna Ruby Falls (Chattooga Ranger District): Named after the only daughter of a retired Civil War Colonel, this is actually two falls that join together. The very steep, paved trail (.4 mile in length) has benches along the trail. An observation deck at the base offers a beautiful view of the twin falls. Directions: Take GA 75 north from Helen for 1 mile. Turn right on GA 356 for 1.5 miles; then go left on the entrance road to the falls. (This is a fee area, but there are bathrooms, a visitor center, a nature trail for the blind and gift shop.)
  • Dukes Creek Falls (Chattooga Ranger District): The trail (.8 mile in length) winds its way into Dukes Creek Gorge and deadends across from the 300 foot Dukes Creek Falls. The area offers scenic beauty and excellent gold panning opportunities. Directions: Take GA 75 north from Helen for 1.5 miles. Turn left on GA 356 (75 Alt) and go 2.3 miles to the Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway. Turn right and go 2 miles to the Dukes Creek Falls Recreation Area.
  • High Shoals Falls (Brasstown Ranger District): The trail (1.2 miles in length) leads to observation decks beside two of a succession of five waterfalls with an estimated total vertical drop of 300 feet. Please stay on the trails and observation decks. Directions: Take GA 75 north from Helen for 11.4 miles. Turn right on FSR 283 at the High Shoals sign. Go 1.5 miles on this road to the High Shoals Scenic Area.
  • Horse Trough Falls (Chattooga Ranger District): The trail (.4 mile in length) is an excellent trail for novice hikers. Directions: Take GA 75 north from Helen for 8 miles to Unicoi Gap. Turn left on to FSR 44 (Wilkes Creek Road).Go 5.4 miles to a sharp curve and take the right fork. Go 0.2 mile, ford the stream and follow colored blazes on trees.
  • Mill Creek Falls: The waterfall on Ground Hog Branch drops about 150 feet and combines with the main Mill Creek before plunging another 150 feet, ending in a series of rapids cascading into Mill Creek Gorge. Directions: From Hiawassee, take US 76 east. Turn right on GA Hwy. 75, then go 3.5 miles. Turn left on Mill Creek Road (FSR 26) for 2.5 miles. The road crosses Mill Creek 1.5 miles from the pavement. Park at camping area on the right or the pullouts on the left and right sides of the road. Hike through the primitive camping area and follow the west side of Mill Creek downstream.
  • Raven Cliff Falls (Chattooga Ranger District): This is one of the most unusual falls as the water flows through a split in the face of a rock outcropping to the ground 100 feet below. Three other waterfalls on Dodd Creek offer excellent opportunities for day hiking. Directions: Take GA 75 N from Helen for 1.5 miles. Turn left on GA 356 (75 Alt) and travel 2.3 miles to the Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway. Turn right and travel 2.8 miles to the trail head and parking area.
  • Toccoa Falls: On the campus of Toccoa Falls College sits 186-foot-high Toccoa Falls, 26 feet higher than Niagara Falls. From the gift shop and parking area, it’s a short walk along the stream to the base of the falls. A monument reminds visitors of the tragic loss of lives when the earthen dam broke in the 1970s. The Gate Cottage Restaurant, above the gift shop, has a wonderful buffet on Sundays. Directions: From Toccoa, take GA Alt 17 for about 1 mile. The falls will be on the left.