9 Amazing Waterfalls in Georgia That You Must Visit

There’s no shortage of beautiful scenery and waterfalls in Georgia, thanks to the hundreds of miles of streams and rivers flowing throughout the state’s landscape, especially towards the north.

Whether you’re looking for a relaxing day in the arms of nature or on a mission to find out the most spectacular natural wonders of the Peach State, this article is an excellent guide for you!

Today, we’ll walk you through 9 of the most impressive waterfalls you can find in Georgia, how to reach them, and what to expect there. Let’s dive right in!

1. DeSoto Falls

DeSoto Falls GA

Kicking off the list with one of the best waterfalls to consider if you’re new to this kind of adventure!

These falls are named after Hernando DeSoto, the Spanish conquistador who explored Nicaragua and the Yucatan Peninsula in the 16th century. It’s also said that his armor was found in that area.

The scenic area features three amazing waterfall cascades that are easily accessible through a 2-mile hiking trail. Additionally, it is also close to plenty of campsites in the DeSoto Fall Recreation Area.

DeSoto Falls are located in the Chattahoochee National Forest. To get there from Helen, GA, take US 75 North, then turn right at US 129 North for 11 miles. The entrance should be on your left.

2. Amicalola Falls

Amicalola Falls in Georgia

As Georgia’s tallest waterfall at 729 ft, it’s no surprise that Amicalola Falls is another hotspot for hikers and adventure lovers in the state.

The mesmerizing waterfall features 7 towering cascades with beautiful scenery that overlooks the hills surrounding Amicalola Falls State Park. 

In addition to the waterfall, the park boasts plenty of hiking trails of various lengths as well as several campgrounds and a backcountry lodge (called the Hike Inn).

There are plenty of ways to reach the falls. The most straightforward one is to take the 604-step hike from the bottom up. The state park is a 40-minute drive from Gainesville.

3. Helton Creek Falls

Fallen log in front of Helton Creek Falls in Georgia

Another waterfall to look for while in Chattahoochee National Forest is Helton Creek Falls, which boasts a pair of beautiful cascades that leads into crystal-clear streams.

Like DeSoto Falls, you need to take a relatively easy and short hike of around 0.2 miles to reach the waterfall, which makes it an excellent hike for families with small kids.

The short hike to the waterfall starts from a trailhead south of Vogel State Park near Blairsville and descends into a valley where you can soak in the beauty of nature and the view of coniferous trees and rhododendrons.

4. Minnehaha Falls

Minehaha Falls near Helen Georgia

Minnehaha Falls is another great option to consider if you want a relatively short hike that takes very little effort to mark off your checklist! This also makes it a brilliant choice for family hikes with young kids.

Despite the easy path, Minnehaha Falls is nothing short of grand, as it extends over 100 ft high and has an impressive stair-like style that is truly picture-worthy.

The shortest trip to the waterfall is through the Bear Gap trailhead, which should lead to the waterfall in less than 0.2 to 0.3 miles.

5. Anna Ruby Falls

Anna Ruby Falls near Helen, Georgia

Anna Ruby Falls is immediately recognizable with its unique double fall look that joins York Creek (153 ft) and Curtis Creek (50 ft) cascading over the same drop-off.

The combination of the two waterfalls creates Smith Creek, which pools into Smith Lake. To reach the waterfall, you should take the trailhead at Unicoi State Park’s visitors center. 

Keep in mind that this park has a $3 entrance fee, but the rare view is well worth the money!

To reach the waterfalls from Helen, GA, you should take Hwy 17 North for about a mile until you reach Robertstown. 

Take right on 356, then take Anna Ruby Falls Road, which is around 1.3 miles on the left. There, you should take the trailhead that passes through Smith Creek and towards the double waterfall.

6. Raven Cliff Falls

Raven Cliff Falls in Georgia

The Raven Cliff Falls is another beautiful waterfall near Helen. This one is blessed with gorgeous surrounding that makes the waterfall even more attractive and beautiful!

The best way to reach the falls is by taking its dedicated gravel trail, which is one of the most scenic hike trails in the region. 

This one follows the famous Dodd Creek upstream and into the forest through a wooden bridge that overlooks multiple small cascades and streams. 

The round trip hike is around 5 miles long, but you should reach the waterfall within the first 2 miles.

To get there from Cleveland, GA, Take Hwy 129 North for about 5 miles, until you reach 75 Alternate. Continue west on 75 Alternate until you reach Richard B Russell Scenic Hwy, then turn right. The trailhead should be on your right within 2.8 miles.

7. Tallulah Falls

Tallulah Falls in Georgia

Tallulah Falls is one of the largest and most remarkable waterfalls in all of Georgia. The waterfall is actually a series of six flowing falls that cascade into Tallulah Gorge, which is a 1,000 ft chasm formed over millions of years!

Due to the sheer size of the waterfall, you can try out over 10 different overlooks to take a gander at this natural miracle, but keep in mind that the hikes are usually limited to around 100 people a day, so you need to be there early.

Among the best ways to cover these falls is through Tallulah Gorge’s Hurricane Falls Trail and Sliding Rock Trail. These two trails are 2.0 miles and 3.4 miles respectively. 

The first gives you access to the North and South rims of the waterfall while the other gets you up close to Bridal View waterfall.

The Tallulah Gorge and its trailheads are located a few miles into Hwy 441, which you can reach from Atlanta if you take Interstate 85 North to Interstate 985, and then take the 365 all the way to Hwy 441.

8. Angel Falls and Panther Falls

Angel Falls in Georgia

Lastly, if you want to make your trip worthwhile and enjoy 2 waterfalls in one trip, you shouldn’t look further than this amazing combo!

One of the best ways to enjoy the mesmerizing views of these two waterfalls is through the Angel Falls Trail.

The out-and-back trail stretches over 1.75 miles, starting with rocky ledges that lead you straight into the multi-cascade Panther Falls at about half a mile in. 

Throughout the route, you’ll follow Joe Creek upstream and cross a lush forest with plenty of rhododendron and hemlock trees as well as mountain laurels. As you reach the end of the trail, you will be greeted by Angel Falls which is pictured above. 

You’ll also be close to the previously mentioned Minnehaha Falls, so you might want to squeeze it into your schedule if you plan a long day, resting in Lake Rabun Beach Recreation Area.

9. Jacks River Falls

Jacks River Falls in the Cohutta Wilderness, Georgia

Jacks River Falls is a stunning rocky waterfall that is nestled deep into the Cohutta Wilderness, which is one of the largest wilderness areas in all of Georgia.

Despite being quite remote and relatively difficult to reach, visitors flock to the falls by the thousands every year, thanks to its exceptionally beautiful and rugged scenery!

The grassy riverbed of the falls is also surrounded by towering hardwood trees that add to the beauty of the landscape. 

Like DeSoto Falls, you’ll need to march on a hike to reach this waterfall. The only difference here is that this one is 9 miles long and crosses paths with plenty of rivers, so it requires plenty of hiking experience.

To take the shortest hike in, you should get there from the northwest access point. Starting in Ellijay, GA, take Hwy to Chatsworth, then US 411 North until you reach Cisco, and take the first right on Hwy 2. Keep on this road for 9.6 miles, then turn right on FS 62 until you reach Beech Bottom trailhead.