By The Explore Helen Editorial Team · Updated · Based on Georgia Forestry Commission, Forest Service and FIND Outdoors reports
The short answer
When the color arrives
The Forest Service says peak color drops about 1,000 feet in elevation each week. Downtown Helen sits at about 1,440 feet, so the high country turns first. In 2025, the Forestry Commission reported peak above 3,000 feet beginning October 22, with low-elevation oaks peaking around November 6. On October 1, 2026, only 1 to 2 percent of leaves had changed.
| Place | Elevation | Drive from Helen | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brasstown Bald | 4,784 ft | About 40 min | $10 per adult 16+, shuttle included |
| Hogpen Gap (GA-348) | 3,461 ft | About 25 min | No fee posted |
| Woody Gap (GA-60) | 3,164 ft | About 50 min | No fee posted |
| Unicoi Gap (GA-17/75) | 2,940 ft | On the drive north | Free to pass through |
| Unicoi State Park | Valley | About 10 min | $10 per vehicle (ParkPass) |
| Anna Ruby Falls | Valley | About 20 min | $6 ages 16+ |
| Downtown Helen | About 1,440 ft | - | Parking varies by lot |
Best places to see it
Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway (GA-348). This is the classic fall drive. The Forest Service describes the Russell-Brasstown National Scenic Byway as a 40-mile loop on GA-17/75, GA-180 and GA-348, and the GA-348 stretch climbs past the Dukes Creek Falls and Raven Cliffs trailheads to Hogpen Gap, where the Appalachian Trail crosses the road beside a small parking area. See the Forest Service byway page and our drive-through post.
Brasstown Bald. At 4,784 feet, Georgia's highest point is one of the first places around to turn. A paved, very steep 0.6-mile trail climbs to the summit, or you can take the shuttle that's included in the $10 admission. It's open daily 10 AM to 5 PM, and FIND Outdoors warns that parking gets tight on fall-color weekends.
Unicoi State Park. The 2.5-mile Lake Trail circles 53-acre Unicoi Lake, and the park's trail map calls it a great fall hike for viewing leaves. It's about 10 minutes from downtown, so it works well for late October and early November when the valley is turning.
More drives
Georgia State Parks recommends Wolf Pen Gap Road (GA-180) near Vogel State Park for fall scenery, and Woody Gap on GA-60 near Suches has wide views from the gap. Note that Vogel's Lake Trahlyta is drained for dam repairs this fall, so the lake reflection the park is known for isn't available. Low sun in the first two hours after sunrise or the last two before sunset makes the leaves glow, and overcast days bring out saturated color.
Tips
- Check the reports. The Georgia Forestry Commission, not Georgia State Parks, posts the weekly Leaf Watch reports.
- Book early. Fall weekends are busy; Oktoberfest also runs nightly through November 1.
- Go on a weekday if you can, and arrive early at Brasstown Bald and the waterfall trailheads.
- Photograph waterfalls with a tripod and a slow shutter, and see our waterfall roundup for fees.
- Closures: Vogel's lake loop and waterfall, Black Rock Mountain's Ada-Hi Falls Trail and Amicalola's East Ridge Trail are closed this fall.
A one-day plan: start high, finish low
Because color moves downhill, the smartest day runs from the ridge to the valley. Start at Brasstown Bald when it opens, work back down GA-348 in the middle of the day, and finish at the lake or the falls in town, where the afternoon light is softer. Times are drive times from downtown Helen without traffic.
| Stop | Drive from Helen | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Brasstown Bald | About 40 min | Open daily 10 AM-5 PM; $10 per adult 16+ with the shuttle included. Arrive at opening, because parking fills on color weekends. |
| Hogpen Gap (GA-348) | About 25 min | 3,461 ft, with the Appalachian Trail crossing beside a small parking area. No fee posted. |
| Dukes Creek Falls or Raven Cliff Falls | About 15 min | Forest Service lots on GA-348: $4 per vehicle at Dukes Creek (2.2 miles round trip), $5 at Raven Cliffs (2.6 miles each way). |
| Anna Ruby Falls | About 20 min | $6 ages 16+, open 9 AM-6 PM with last ticket at 5 PM; short paved trail with steep sections. |
| Unicoi Lake loop | About 10 min | 2.5-mile Lake Trail; $10 per vehicle ParkPass. A good last stop when the valley is peaking. |
That's a long day, so pick two or three. If you only have a morning, the Russell-Brasstown drive in our scenic highway post gives the most color per mile.
Pair it with the rest of October
Fall color overlaps with Oktoberfest, which runs nightly through Sunday, November 1, 2026. That means busy roads and full restaurants on weekends. Do the drives in the morning and save evenings for the Festhalle or dinner downtown; our parking guide explains where to leave the car.
Quick questions
When will the leaves peak around Helen in 2026?
The Georgia Forestry Commission's October 1 report expects northeast Georgia, including White County, to peak around the end of October to the first of November, give or take a week.
Where do I check the weekly color reports?
The Georgia Forestry Commission posts the weekly Leaf Watch reports at gatrees.org. Georgia State Parks' Leaf Watch page has park suggestions and photos but doesn't give peak dates.
Which spot turns first?
The highest ground. Brasstown Bald (4,784 ft) and the 3,000-foot gaps such as Hogpen Gap turn before the valley floor, because peak color drops about 1,000 feet in elevation each week.
Do I need a ParkPass for the waterfalls?
It depends on the site. State parks such as Unicoi charge $10 per vehicle. Anna Ruby Falls charges its own $6 admission for ages 16 and up and doesn't accept the ParkPass, and the Forest Service sites on GA-348 charge $4 or $5 per vehicle.
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