Lake Hartwell & Stephens County

Toccoa Falls, Band of Brothers history and a 56,000-acre lake east of Helen

By The Explore Helen Editorial Team Updated October 8, 2026 Hours and fees checked with Toccoa Falls and Georgia State Parks

The short answer

Toccoa is about 45 minutes from Helen and has 186-foot Toccoa Falls ($2 admission) and the Currahee Military Museum. Lake Hartwell's Tugaloo State Park is another 30 minutes beyond, with a $10 ParkPass.

Toccoa first, then the lake

Stephens County and its seat, Toccoa, are about 45 minutes from Helen (30 miles), and they make a good half-day on their own. The big water is farther on: Lake Hartwell covers 56,000 acres with 962 miles of shoreline, and Tugaloo State Park in Lavonia is the usual entry point, about 75 minutes from Helen. Our Lake Hartwell guide has the park details.

Stops on a Toccoa and Lake Hartwell day
Stop	Drive from Helen	What to know
Toccoa Falls	About 45 minutes	A 186-foot free-falling waterfall on the Toccoa Falls campus at 107 Kincaid Drive. Admission is $2, paid at the Gate Cottage gift shop. Open Monday to Friday 10 AM-4 PM and Saturday to Sunday noon-4 PM. A 100-yard graveled path leads to the base. The falls can close for holidays and campus events.
Currahee Military Museum	About 45 minutes	In the restored train depot in downtown Toccoa, covering the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment that trained at Camp Toccoa. Call or check its site for hours.
Tugaloo State Park	About 75 minutes	$10 ParkPass. Boat ramps, beach, 4 miles of trails, cottages, yurts and campsites. Swimming area closed for low water as of October 2026.

Toccoa Falls and its history

Toccoa Falls drops 186 feet on the Toccoa Falls campus, which is why admission goes through the gift shop. The falls are fed by Toccoa Creek. On November 6, 1977, the Kelly Barnes Dam above the falls failed after heavy rain, and the flood killed 39 people on the campus below. Visitors today can read about it on the grounds. Our Toccoa and Stephens County page and the campus visitor page have more.

On the lake

Fishing

Striped bass and largemouth bass are the main draws, and the lake is big enough for tournaments. You need a Georgia fishing license.

Camping and cottages

Tugaloo State Park rents 20 cottages, 6 yurts and 105 RV and tent sites; reserve at (800) 864-7275.

Hiking

Tugaloo's Sassafras and Muscadine trails add up to 4 miles.

Best time

Spring and fall are comfortable for hiking. Summer is the swimming season, when sites book early.

Planning the day

Timing, closures and what's at the lake

Toccoa Falls keeps short hours, so schedule it first or build the rest of the day around it. The campus is private property open to the public, and the falls' visiting page says it typically closes around Labor Day, Thanksgiving week, winter break, spring break and July 4th. Because the weekend opening is noon, a Saturday trip works better as a late-morning drive than an early start.

Tugaloo State Park, at 1763 Tugaloo State Park Road in Lavonia, covers 393 acres on the lake and is open 7 AM to 10 PM (office 8 AM to 5 PM). Beyond the trails and cottages, State Parks lists a six-lane mega ramp for fishing tournaments, two other boat ramps, miniature golf, tennis and volleyball courts, and seasonal kayak and canoe rentals. The beach is open, but the swimming area is inaccessible because of low water right now.

Half-day version

Drive to Toccoa (about 45 minutes), see the falls and the depot museum, and head home. Nothing here needs more than a couple of hours.

Full-day version

Add Tugaloo State Park, 30 minutes beyond Toccoa. Pack a picnic, since the park has seven picnic shelters, and leave time for the 75-minute drive back.

Common questions

How long is the drive from Helen to Toccoa?

About 45 minutes and 30 miles. Tugaloo State Park is about 75 minutes.

Can I swim at Tugaloo State Park?

Not at the moment. As of October 2026 State Parks says the swimming area is inaccessible because of low water, though the beach is open.

Is Toccoa Falls open on holidays?

Often not. The falls typically close around Labor Day, Thanksgiving week, winter break, spring break and July 4th, so call or check the campus visitor page first.

How much does Toccoa Falls cost?

$2, paid at the Gate Cottage gift shop. Hours are Monday to Friday 10 AM to 4 PM and Saturday to Sunday noon to 4 PM, but the falls can close for holidays and campus events.