A trek to one of the waterfalls here in the mountains of northeast Georgia is as refreshing as a dip in a cool pool—and far more beautiful. You can visit several of them in one day or plan to stay at Lucille’s Mountaintop Inn & Spa for a week and do them all.
Photo: Tim Mossholder/UnSplash
Hemlock Falls, located in Chattahoochee National Forest, is one of our favorites. The easy, two-mile round-trip trail up to the falls follows Moccasin Creek, offering soothing sounds and pretty views as it leads to the 15-foot cascading falls. Pack a lunch and you can enjoy it here by the pool. Continuing on, there is an overgrown path. Follow it across the creek and through a gorge to reach Upper Moccasin Creek Falls, a stunning 40-foot waterfall.
Moccasin Creek State park
3655 Highway 197, Clarkesville, GA
Open March 16 – November 30
7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
One of the most unusual waterfalls in Georgia is Raven Cliff Falls near Helen. A split in the solid rock face allows water to pour through, cascading 100 feet down. On the other side of the split, water drops nearly 60 feet and rushes through the rock face before dropping 20-plus feet into Dodd Creek. The 5-mile round trip trail is a pretty jaunt, offering lovely views along the way.
Chattooga Ranger District
Off Highway 348, Helen, GA
706-754-6221
Anna Ruby Falls is also in the Helen, Georgia, area. To see the twin falls, formed by the merging of Curtis Creek and York Creek, follow a short half-mile interpretive walk along Smith Creek.
Unicoi State Park
3455 Anna Ruby Falls Road, Helen, GA
706-878-1448
Amicalola Falls State Park is a popular place, and one of the main reasons is Amicalola Falls, the tallest cascading waterfall in the Southeastern United States. The easiest way to view the 729-foot spectacle is by following an accessible pathway. Those who want to burn a few more calories can take the more strenuous trail with staircases.
418 Amicalola Falls Lodge Road, Dawsonville, GA
706-265-8888
7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Parking, $5; annual passes available
Other falls to check out include Helton Creek Falls in Blairsville and Holcomb Creek Falls in Clayton. A bit further away to the east but worth the ride are Toccoa Falls, at a rousing 186-foot tall—26 feet taller than Niagara Falls; and the spectacular canyons and waterfalls in Tallulah Gorge State Park.
After a day of hiking, wouldn’t a soothing massage feel good? Thought so! Schedule one with the Spa at Lucille’s when book your stay with us.