Attractions & Things to Do
Waterfalls, state parks, a grist mill and a river to float: what to do in and around Helen
The short answer
In town
Just outside town
In the Nacoochee Valley
Farther out
Costs and hours at a glance
Checked October 2026. Fees change, so confirm before a long drive.
| Attraction | Cost | Hours | Drive from Helen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anna Ruby Falls | $6 ages 16+; 15 and under free (parking included; ParkPass not accepted) | 9 AM-6 PM, last ticket 5 PM | About 20 min |
| Unicoi State Park | $10 per vehicle (Georgia ParkPass; $70 annual) | 7 AM-10 PM | About 10 min |
| Smithgall Woods | $10 per vehicle (ParkPass); register at the visitor center | 7 AM to dark | About 10 min |
| Dukes Creek Falls | $4 per vehicle | Sunrise to sunset | About 15 min |
| Raven Cliff Falls | $5 per vehicle | Open year-round | About 15 min |
| Brasstown Bald | $10 per adult 16+, shuttle included; 15 and under free | Daily 10 AM-5 PM | About 40 min |
| Hardman Farm | $7 grounds; mansion tours $13 adults | Mar-Dec daily 10-4; tours Thu-Sat | About 5 min |
| Georgia Mountain Coaster | $17 adults, $14 ages 7-12, $10 ages 3-6 per ride | Fri-Sat 10 AM-9 PM; Sun 10-7; Mon-Thu 10-6 | In town |
| Tubing (Cool River) | $14 Mon-Fri, $16 weekends and holidays (2026 prices) | Daily Memorial Day-Labor Day weekends; call ahead in fall | In town |
Top Picks
Where most first-time visits start.
Anna Ruby Falls
Twin waterfalls, Curtis Creek (about 153 ft) and York Creek (about 50 ft), side by side at the end of a short paved trail in the Chattahoochee National Forest.
Unicoi State Park
A 1,029-acre park around 53-acre Unicoi Lake, with a lodge, barrel cabins, zip line tours and the 2.5-mile Lake Trail.
Raven Cliff Falls
The longer waterfall hike near Helen: 2.6 miles each way into the Raven Cliffs Wilderness, with a creek crossing along the way.
Dukes Creek Falls
A Forest Service trail of 2.2 miles round trip down to the falls, with views toward Mount Yonah. The walk back up is the work.
Smithgall Woods State Park
5,844 acres of quiet trails around Dukes Creek, with reservation-only trout fishing in the cooler months.
Uhuburg Castle
A privately owned castle on Ridge Road with an eight-story lookout tower. Day visits run on select weekends with advance tickets.
Waterfalls
Three waterfalls within about 20 minutes of town, from a short paved walk to a full hike.
State Parks
Two state parks within 10 minutes of downtown. Both take the Georgia ParkPass.
Historic Sites
A mill, a mound, a historic farm and a covered bridge, all in or near the Sautee-Nacoochee Valley.
Family Fun
River floats in season and a coaster you steer yourself.
More to explore
A castle and a few tasting rooms.
Many of these sites reward an early start, especially Anna Ruby Falls and the waterfall trailheads on busy weekends. If you're staying overnight, Helen has cabins, motels and the Unicoi lodge. For downtown parking, see our parking guide.