Anna Ruby Falls Scenic Area
How the twin falls work, which trail is which, and when to go
The short answer
Two creeks, one rock face
If you've seen a waterfall split around a rock, this is something else: it isn't one stream splitting in two. Curtis Creek and York Creek arrive separately from the slopes of Tray Mountain, in the Georgia mountains, and they go over the same cliff within sight of each other. At the base they meet and become Smith Creek, the stream you have been walking beside. Smith Creek then runs down to Unicoi Lake.
| Waterfall | Side (from the deck) | Drop | What it looks like |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curtis Creek Falls | Left | About 153 feet | The taller of the two, spilling down the rock face in tiers rather than one clean sheet. |
| York Creek Falls | Right | About 50 feet | Shorter and steeper, a quick plunge that doubles the noise when both creeks run full. |
The three trails
Very different walks from the same parking lot
| Trail | Length | Surface | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anna Ruby Falls Trail | 0.4 mile each way | Paved, with steep sections | Starts at the visitor center, follows Smith Creek and ends at two observation decks. A National Recreation Trail. Not wheelchair accessible. |
| Lion's Eye Trail | 0.1 mile | Paved, wheelchair accessible | Cable handrail and signs in print and braille about the plants, animals and ecosystem. |
| Smith Creek Trail | About 4.6 miles each way | Natural surface | Links the falls to Unicoi State Park. Unicoi's trail map lists 4.8 miles. Plan a shuttle or a full day for the round trip. |
On the main trail, benches are spaced along the creek so you can pause on the climb. FIND Outdoors says plainly that wheelchairs can't make it up because of the steep sections, and that's the reason the Lion's Eye Trail exists. If you want the long walk, the Smith Creek Trail ends at Unicoi State Park, so leave a car at the other end or turn around when you have had enough. Our trail page has more on the route.
When to go
Late winter and spring
Rain and snowmelt keep both creeks full, and the rhododendron and wildflowers along the trail wake up. Go now if you want the loudest water.
Summer
Shady and a few degrees cooler than town, but it's also the busiest season, so arrive at 9 AM.
Fall
Hardwoods along the creek turn through late October; low-elevation color around Helen peaks near the first of November. See the fall color guide for weekly reports.
Winter
Bare trees open up the view of the rock face. Ice can close the road, so call 706-878-1448 on cold mornings.
Peak-color timing and weekly reports are in our Helen fall color guide.
Who the falls are named for
The name has a real family behind it. Anna Ruby Nichols was the daughter of an early settler, Captain James Nichols, who built the mansion that is now Hardman Farm State Historic Site in 1870. Her bedroom is part of the house tour there. Tour hours and prices change by season, so check the park page, or read our Hardman Farm guide, before you plan the pair.
Who runs it, and how to pay
Here's who's in charge. The land belongs to the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, and the nonprofit FIND Outdoors operates the visitor site. You pay $6 at the gatehouse if you're 16 or older, in cash or by card. They don't take the Georgia ParkPass, and you won't owe Unicoi's fee just for driving through. Dogs on leashes are welcome.
Related Imagery from Around Helen
