The Waterfalls Around Helen, Georgia

The mountains around Helen have more waterfalls per square mile than almost anywhere in the Southeast. The Chattahoochee National Forest is full of creeks that drop off rock ledges, slide down granite faces, and plunge into deep pools. Some of these falls are easy to reach on paved paths. Others need serious hiking and a high-clearance vehicle just to reach the trailhead.

This guide covers eight waterfalls you can visit from Helen: Anna Ruby Falls, Raven Cliff Falls, Dukes Creek Falls, Helton Creek Falls, DeSoto Falls, Horse Trough Falls, High Shoals Falls, and Panther Creek Falls. For each one, I have included trail distances, fees, what to expect, and when to go.

Here is a quick side-by-side look at trail length, difficulty, and fees so you can pick the right stop for your day.

Location: Unicoi State Park / Chattahoochee National Forest

Water Source: Curtis Creek and York Creek

Anna Ruby Falls is the classic Helen waterfall, and one of the few "twin falls" you will see anywhere. It sits inside the Anna Ruby Falls Scenic Area, reached through Unicoi State Park. The falls form where two creeks meet: Curtis Creek drops 153 feet, York Creek drops 50 feet, and together they make Smith Creek.

The trail: A paved footpath, 0.4 to 0.5 miles one way. The surface is smooth and stroller-friendly, but it climbs steadily from the visitor center to the observation deck, so expect a workout. There are benches along the way.

When to go: The flow holds up year-round. In summer the mist keeps things cool, and in winter you get clear views through the bare trees. Watch your footing on the paved trail when it ices over.

Cost: $5 per person for ages 16 and up, charged per person rather than per vehicle like the other sites. There is a visitor center and gift shop on-site.

Raven Cliff Falls

Location: Raven Cliffs Wilderness

Water Source: Dodd Creek

Just off the Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway, Raven Cliff Falls does something you rarely see. Instead of tumbling over a lip, the water runs through a fracture in a huge granite face, dropping about 40 feet, threading through the rock, then dropping another 20 feet into a deep pool.

The trail: A 5-mile round-trip through the Raven Cliffs Wilderness, moderate overall. It hugs Dodd Creek almost the whole way, so you have the sound of the stream for company. Expect some root-covered stretches and small elevation changes, with a final climb up to the cliff base.

When to go: Popular all year. In winter, big icicles form on the wet granite, which is a sight worth the cold. The shaded valley stays cooler in summer.

Cost: $5 per vehicle to park. The trailhead fills up fast on weekends and often spills onto the highway shoulder, so come early.

Dukes Creek Falls

Location: Dukes Creek Recreation Area

Water Source: Dukes Creek and Davis Creek

Dukes Creek Falls carries a lot of history, since it sits close to where the Georgia Gold Rush kicked off in 1828. It is a 150-foot cascade where Davis Creek meets Dukes Creek, and the viewing platforms let you take in the full scale of the drop.

The trail: About 2.0 to 2.3 miles round trip. The catch is that you start at the top of the ridge and hike down into the gorge, so the whole return is uphill. The first 0.1 mile is wheelchair-accessible and leads to a distant deck; the main platforms are at the bottom.

When to go: The water really moves after rain. Fall is a standout here, thanks to the wide views of Mount Yonah from the parking area and trail.

Cost: $4 per vehicle. There are restrooms and picnic areas.

Helton Creek Falls

Location: Near Vogel State Park (Union County)

Water Source: Helton Creek

Helton Creek Falls gives you two waterfalls on a short trail, a lower slide and a taller upper drop. It is shady and cool down there, tucked in among rhododendrons and hemlocks.

The trail: Short, about 0.6 miles round trip and an easy walk, though you will hit some roots and mud. The lower falls show up soon after you start, and the trail continues to the upper falls deck.

Getting there: You have to drive about 2.2 miles on Helton Creek Road, which is gravel. Sedans usually make it, but the road is narrow and gets potholes, so take it slow in a low-clearance car.

When to go: Summer is the busiest, thanks to the swimming hole at the base. In winter, that unpaved road can get dicey with ice or deep mud.

DeSoto Falls

Location: DeSoto Falls Recreation Area

Water Source: Frogtown Creek

The name comes from Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto, who legend says passed through here (a piece of armor was reportedly found nearby). The recreation area has two waterfalls, Lower DeSoto Falls and Upper DeSoto Falls.

The trail: You can do one falls or both. From the bridge over Frogtown Creek, the Lower Falls are 0.25 miles downstream (easy), and the Upper Falls are 0.75 miles upstream (moderate). See both and you have walked roughly 2.0 to 2.2 miles.

When to go: There is a campground on-site, which makes this a good base for a multi-day trip in spring or fall.

Cost: $5 per vehicle to park. The U.S. Forest Service manages the area.

Horse Trough Falls

Location: Upper Chattahoochee River Campground

Water Source: Upper Chattahoochee River

Tucked into the Mark Trail Wilderness, this waterfall marks the headwaters of the Chattahoochee River. It is a 70-foot drop, and it feels genuinely remote and quiet.

The trail: Very short, roughly 0.4 miles, crossing a footbridge to a viewing platform. Easy enough for first-time hikers and kids.

Getting there: The drive is the hard part. You cover about 5 miles of Forest Service Road (Chattahoochee River Road), which is dirt and gravel and can get rutted, so an SUV helps. The road runs to the Upper Chattahoochee River Campground.

When to go: The campground, and often the road, closes for the season in late fall and winter. Try it in winter and you may end up hiking the road itself, which adds a lot of distance.

High Shoals Falls (and Blue Hole Falls)

Location: High Shoals Scenic Area (Towns County)

Water Source: High Shoals Creek

This trail is a two-for-one. Blue Hole Falls is the smaller, single-drop waterfall with a deep blue-green pool that people love to swim in. High Shoals Falls, further down the trail, is a 50-foot cascading drop with a big observation deck.

The trail: A 2.5-mile round trip, moderate to strenuous, because the trail heads down to the falls, which means a steep, steady climb to get back to the parking lot.

Getting there: The trailhead sits off Indian Grave Gap Road (FS Rd 283), which includes a creek crossing where you drive through a shallow stream. Regular sedans can struggle here, especially after rain, so a high-clearance vehicle is strongly recommended.

When to go: That creek crossing can be impassable after heavy rain or in winter. Summer brings the swimmers out to the Blue Hole.

Panther Creek Falls

Location: Panther Creek Recreation Area

Water Source: Panther Creek

Heads up (2024 to 2025): This one is closed right now. Panther Creek was long one of the most popular backpacking trails around, but the recreation area and trail are under closure orders after severe damage from Hurricane Helene. Bridge and trail repairs are still underway.

The trail (when it reopens): The classic route is a 7-mile round trip, moderate to difficult, with exposed roots, rocky bluffs, and narrow paths that have steep drop-offs. It ends at a wide, sandy beach at the base of a high-volume waterfall.

When to go: When it is open, that sandy beach makes it the best summer swimming spot in North Georgia.

Rather than crown a single winner, here is how they stack up depending on what you are after.