10 Amazing Waterfalls to Chase Near Helen

Dukes Creek Falls

• 5.4 miles from downtown Helen
• 1699 Richard Russell Hwy, Helen, GA
• 150-foot falls
• 2.3-mile hike, easy
• $4 parking fee
• Nearby places to visit: Smithgall Woods State Park, Raven Cliff Falls

Just a 10-minute drive west of downtown Helen, Dukes Creek Falls is just around the corner from Smithgall Woods State Park. The wide mostly gravel switchback path down to the falls accommodates lots of visitors to this popular waterfall. If you visit after a recent rain, you’ll glimpse a raging 150-foot waterfall at the bottom of the gorge.

Because of the short length and ease of the hike to the falls, it’s great for kids and dogs. And if your kids are itching to get wet during warmer months, there are a couple spots for them to hop over the wooden walkway and dip in the water at the base of the falls. Just remember that the return to the trailhead is a mile uphill–so pack your snacks and anything else you can use to entice them to finish strong.

Anna Ruby Falls

• 5.7 miles from downtown Helen
• 3455 Anna Ruby Falls Rd., Helen, GA
• 154-foot falls
• 0.9-mile hike, easy
• $5 per person 16 years and older
• Nearby places to visit: Unicoi State Park, downtown Helen

To access Anna Ruby Falls, you must drive through Unicoi State Park. But don’t worry, if you’re just seeing the falls, you can skip paying the $5 state park fee and head straight to the parking lot below the falls’ visitors center.

Hikers can take the paved out-and-back path through the base of Tray Mountain to the viewing platforms of the twin waterfalls. The water cascading over the drop offs is created by two creeks: Curtis Creek falls and York Creek falls. The water conjoining at the bottom of the falls becomes part of Smith Creek, which flows into and forms Smith Lake (also known as Unicoi Lake) the centerpiece of Unicoi State Park.

High Shoals Falls and Blue Hole Falls

• 12.4 miles from downtown Helen
• 1333 Indian Grave Gap Rd, Hiawassee, GA 30546
• 50-foot falls
• 2.6-mile hike, moderate
• No parking fee
• Nearby places to visit: Bell Mountain, Brasstown Bald

The road that leads to High Shoals Falls trail leaves you with two options: drive through a small creek in your vehicle or park before the creek and add an extra mile of hiking each way. Visitors to the falls have used both options and report that it is worth the sight of the magnificent falls either way.

On the slightly downhill hike that includes lots of water crossings and views along the way, you’ll first come across the smaller 30-foot Blue Hole Falls, which offers a great swimming hole during warmer months. Farther along on the trail, the hike ends at the stunning 50-foot drop of High Shoals Falls, which has two areas for viewing the falls.

Desoto Falls

• 20 miles from downtown Helen
• 18365 US-129, Cleveland, GA 30528
• 200-foot falls
• 1.9-mile hike, easy
• $5 parking fee
• Nearby places to visit: Vogel State Park, North Georgia Zoo

DeSoto Falls Trail is a heavily trafficked out-and-back trail that features the reward of a scenic waterfall at the halfway and is good for all skill levels (even toddlers). You can bring your leashed dog on this trail and even enjoy one of the dozen picnic tables near the trailhead. Parking is $5 (cash only) per car and there are bathrooms next to the parking lot.

The Desoto Falls Trail offers an Upper Falls hike, which is 1.9 miles, as well as a 1/4 mile hike to the Lower Falls that you can add on if you’re feeling ambitious. Much of the Upper Falls hike parallels the scenic Frogtown Creek. In warmer months, there are plenty of places for your kids to dip their toes in the creek.

Hemlock Falls

• 20 miles from downtown Helen
• 59 Andersonville Ln, Clarkesville, GA 30523
• 15-foot falls
• 1.9-mile hike, easy
• No parking fee
• Nearby places to visit: Sunburst Adventures, Wildcat Creek Sliding Rock, Stovall Mill Covered Bridge, Moccasin Creek State Park

Only a few hundred yards down the road from Moccasin Creek State Park, you’ll find the road to Hemlock Falls trailhead. There is a small area for parking at the trailhead, or you can pay $5 to park inside the state park and add and extra mile to your hike both ways.

The trail to the falls has minimal elevation changes since it follows an old railroad bed, but wear your sturdy shoes, as the path does have its share of rocks, roots and water that crosses over the path. About a mile down the trail, you’ll cross the river using a wooden bridge crosses the river before glimpsing Hemlock Falls with its great waterhole.

Trahlyta Falls

• 21 miles from downtown Helen
• 405 Vogel State Park Rd, Blairsville, GA 30512
• 50-foot falls
• 1.1-mike hike, easy
• $5 daily parking pass or use your Georgia State Park Pass
• Nearby places to visit: Desoto Falls, Helton Creek Falls

Located within Vogel State Park, Lake Trahlyta Trail is a 1-mile lake loop trail that is relatively flat until you descend to Trahlyta Falls. It’s one of our favorite waterfalls near Helen for young kids since they can tackle the trail by themselves. Get an up-close look at the cascading water from the viewing deck toward the bottom of the falls, which can even spray water on spectators on a windy day.

Helton Creek Falls

• 16 miles from downtown Helen
• Off Hatchet Creek Rd/Helton Creek Rd in Blairsville GA 30512
• 70-foot falls
• 0.6-mile trail, easy
• No parking fee
• Nearby places to visit: Vogel State Park, Lake Winfield Scott

A two-mile windy gravel road leads to the trailhead for the falls, but once you make it that far, the short hike to Helton Creek Falls is a great option for kids and it’s dog-friendly, too. The easy, scenic trail leads you to a 30-foot lower falls before the 70-upper falls. Enjoy the large swimming hole at the upper falls during warmer months.

Tallulah Falls

• 27 miles from downtown Helen
• 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Rd, Tallulah Falls, GA 30573
• varied falls heights
• 1.8-mile trails and more, moderate and hard
• $5 daily parking pass or use your Georgia State Park Pass
• Nearby places to visit: Goats on the Roof, Lake Rabun

One of the most spectacular canyons in the eastern U.S., Tallulah Gorge is two miles long and nearly 1,000 feet deep. Though Tallulah Gorge State Park offers several amazing hiking trails that give you unique glimpses into the gorge, we recommend the moderate 1.8-mile North and South Rim Loop Trail or the moderate 2.5-mile loop to Cascade Falls (pictured above).

Five spectacular waterfalls cascade through Tallulah Gorge: L’Eau d’Or, Tempesta, Hurricane, Oceana and Bridal Veil (Sliding Rock)—and all but Bridal Veil are visible from rim overlooks. A suspension bridge sways 80 feet above the rocky bottom, providing spectacular views of the river and waterfalls.

Amicalola Falls

• 42 miles from downtown Helen
• 418 Amicalola Falls State Park Rd, Dawsonville, GA 30534
• 729-foot falls
• 2-mile hike, moderate
• $5 daily parking pass or use your Georgia State Park Pass
• Nearby places to visit: Edge of the World Trail, Burt’s Pumpkin Farm

Likely Georgia’s most popular waterfall and definitely its tallest, Amicalola Falls is an hour from downtown Helen, but well worth the scenic drive. Hike the 604 steps to the top of the falls or park at the lot in the middle of the falls for a less strenuous walk to the bridge overlooking the falls.