Waterfalls

Amicalola Falls

Amicalola, the Cherokee word for “tumbling waters,” is the highest waterfall in Georgia. At 729 ft. Amicalola Falls it is considered the highest set of falls east of the Mississippi River. When coming from the west on GA 52 you first notice the falls from a two mile distance as you cruise past Burt’s Pumpkin Farm. Up close the 729 ft. drop is actually seven consecutive cascading falls, where as from a short distance the entire view of Amicalola Falls appears to be one continual fall. Both the falls top and bottom can be reached by car. The upper falls has a parking lot and an observation deck running directly over the top of the falls. There’s a parking lot at the bottom of the falls by a reflection pool and a paved trail that leads .3 mile. to the top of the falls.

Directions: Take GA 52 west from Dahlonega to parks entrance, about 12 to 15 miles.

Desoto Falls

Legend tells of piece Spanish armor found near the falls that possibly belonged to explorer Fernando DeSoto or one of his men, during their hunt for gold. DeSoto Falls consist of five waterfalls located within a 650-acre recreation area. Three of the five waterfalls are along hiking trails that are maintained for easy access. The lower falls cascade about 20 feet. The middle falls drop 80 feet and is considered to be the most scenic. The upper falls drop 200 feet down a granite rock incline.

Directions: Take U.S. 129 north from Cleveland, 15 miles till you reach DeSoto Falls Recreation Area.

Falls Branch Falls

Falls Branch Falls, Long Creek Falls, Jacks River Falls is a modest, popular waterfalls in the Rich Mountain Wilderness area. The upper portion of Fall Branch Falls is a series of cascades that lead to a single drop of about 30 feet, the water plunging into a deep pool at the base of the falls. Falls Branch Falls, Long Creek Falls, Jacks River Falls is along the Benton MacKaye Trail west of Aska Road

Directions: Take Old 76 (do not confuse with 515-76 ) in Blue Ridge, Fannin County Georgia to Aska Road, go south from Ace Hardware on Aska Road eight miles to Stanley Creek and turn right. You’ll follow this road through a long narrow valley for three miles past historical site Forest Warden Garfield Stanley’s house, crossing a small wood bridge park on right and follow trail at least .5 mile to falls. A small trail leads off to the right to reach the lower falls, continue on main trail further to reach top of falls. Slippery and always wet, exercise caution at all waterfalls.

Falls on Waters Creek and Blood Mountain Falls

Located on Blood Mountain Stream, the stream flows nearly 20 feet through a rock cut. Acting like a sluice, the waters from the stream rush through with a concentrated fury.

Directions: North from Cleveland on U.S. 19-129, approximately. 10 miles to U.S. 19, turn west on U.S. 19 approximately. 5 miles to Water’s Creek Recreation Area and turn right. Drive 1.2 mile. and you’ll pass a roadside waterfall on the right. Continue on another 1.6 mile. to the second waterfall and park in the lot to the right and take the path across the road for a more scenic view of the waterfall. Now take F.S. Road 34 for another .7 of a mile. to a logging road on the right before F.S. Road fords Crow Mountain Creek and park. The route to the waterfall treads along the logging road about .8 miles.

Gold Mine Creek Falls

A narrow and steep 400 foot cascading waterfall that’s beautiful, dangerous and difficult to reach only to get a particle viewing. The falls are located in Fort Mountain State Park, eight miles east of Chatsworth, Murray County Georgia on road 52-76.

Directions: After enter the park go the the camping grounds where you’ll find a mountain top lake, follow along the lake until you reach the Big Rock Nature Trail, a short trail of .6 miles. Following the trail blaze colors you’ll come to a trail that veers off to the left, do not take this trail, stay on the Big Rock Nature Trail a short distance until you hear the falls on the left, a short trail to the left will take you to edge of the falls. Its just one visible section of the falls, no protecting rails, it’s dangerous to step onto the falls cascading steps it’s very slippery and steep.

Helton Creek Falls

The upper and and lower Helton are contained along a .3 mile trail. These falls are easy to reach. A well maintained trial follows the right bank of Helton Creek, along the extended drop of the lower falls, then comes to a dead end at the base pool of the spectacular 100 ft. vertical drop of the upper Helton Creek Falls.

Directions: Take U.S. 129 south from Blairsville, 11 miles. Go past Vogel State Park and turn left on the first gravel road (distance from Vogel Park uncertain but more than a mile.) Go down gravel road 2.2 miles and you’ll see a pullout parking area. The trail will be to the right.

Jacks River Falls

This popular destination in the Cohutta Wilderness Area requires the longest walk of all falls in Fannin County.

Directions: The easiest access is a 9.2 mile hike from Dally Gap along the Jacks River Trail.

Long Creek Falls

Long Creek Falls is the most popular of the Fannin County waterfalls, you can find Long Creek Falls by hiking down a short side trail from the combined Appalachian-Benton MacKaye Trail. Long Creek Falls total is approximately 50 feet in two different drops. A leisurely 30 minute hike to the falls is uphill on the way in, downhill on the way out.

Directions: Turn right at the end of Newport onto Doublehead Gap Road; go to FS 42 and turn left. Go to the intersection of FS 42 and 58 and turn left on 58 to the see the falls.

Sea Creek Falls

Located in the Cooper Creek Scenic Area, Sea Creek Falls are an easy walk of less than .1 miles. Unfortunately, the drive can be difficult. The first, or upper falls is a series of steep cascades ending in a brief drop. The second falls are also a series of steep cascades. When the water flow is heavy either in late Winter or Spring or after a summer rain these are a remarkable sight.

Directions: From the Georgia Mountain Parkway just past Blue Ridge, take Highway 60 south (toward Morganton). At Cooper Creek Store turn left on Cooper Creek Road (this road is also called Mulky Gap Road). After 3.3 miles the road makes a dramatic turn back on itself and FS 264 comes off to the left. This road is rough and may not be passible in anything but a four wheel drive vehicle. Travel .3 miles to a campground, park and walk .1 miles further up the creek.

Toccoa Falls

Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, 95 miles north of Atlanta, Georgia, and 65 miles south of Greenville, South Carolina, is Toccoa Falls. It is located on the campus of Toccoa Falls College, a four-year, fully accredited Christian college.
A meandering stream flows through the lower part of the 1,000-acre, wooded campus from the base of the 186 foot high waterfall. This spectacular waterfall, higher than Niagara Falls, is a popular tourist attraction and campus retreat. The short 100-yard path to the falls is handicap accessible.

Toccoa Falls is the site of the earthen dam which broke on November 6, 1977. Thirty-nine people lost their lives during that tragic event.

Entrance to Toccoa Falls is through the gift shop and is open from 8:30 am to sundown. For the listed hours the gift shop is open for a particular month, or for more information, please call 706.886.7299, ext. 5215. There is a nominal admission fee to see the falls which I paid in the gift shop at the entrance of the falls. Adults are $1.00, children under 10 are 50¢, seniors 65 and older are 50¢, and groups of 10 or more are 50¢ each. Gate Cottage Gift Shop is not only where you enter to see the falls, but is a beautiful gift shop filled with souvenirs of Toccoa Falls, furniture made in the Toccoa area, crafts from local craftsmen, and other gift items including Village Candles and many other great companies. Gate Cottage Gift Shop is the place to shop for that special gift for your or someone special.

Trahlyta Falls

Directly below Lake Trahlyta in Vogel State Park is a stepping stone waterfall. Go south from Blairsville, Union County Georgia on US 19/129 for eleven miles. Just before the entrance to Vogel State Park on the right is a one lane pullover where you can view the falls from above.

Directions: To reach the bottom of the falls, drive into Vogel State Park and park at the south end of Lake Trahlyta, there’s also a gift shop and miniature golf course plus campgrounds and cabins. The fall are at the other end of the lake, the lake is small and the paths around each shoreline is level. If you take the path to the left you’ll pass the pavilion and Trahlyta Theater then the beach and beach house following the Trahlyta Lake Trail to the end of the lake and take the Falls Overlook Trial to the bottom of falls.

Trahlyta Lake Trail also flows to the right of the lake. This is a quiet trail with the lake at the edge with beautiful views of the lake and surrounding mountains. When you reach the end of the lake take the Falls Overlook Trail to the right and follow the trail to the bottom of falls. The trail is short but steep but worth the effort.