Walking the River in Helen

Helen doesn't have one long riverwalk, but it does have a good river path: the Helen to Hardman Heritage Trail. It's a flat, 1-mile walk along the Chattahoochee from Alpine Helen out to Hardman Farm State Historic Site, with parking at each end. You can make it a short out-and-back or park at one end and have someone meet you at the other.

Around town, short sidewalk and bridge stretches follow the water. Together they make a good break from the shops and a way to see the river that tubers float down in summer.

Trail details from the Helen CVB; check conditions with the Welcome Center at 706-878-2181.

The path follows the river through the Nacoochee Valley and carries heritage markers about the valley's long history of settlement. At the Hardman end you reach the farm's 1870 Italianate mansion, built by Captain James Nichols, and the gazebo-topped Sautee Nacoochee Indian Mound. The farm is also where you can walk part of the old Unicoi Turnpike, which began as a buffalo trail and later served as a Native American trading route. See our Hardman Farm guide for the full visit.

Hours and prices checked with Georgia State Parks and Nora Mill in October 2026. Nora Mill has operated since 1876 and still grinds with Chattahoochee River power.

Tubing outfitters work the river in summer, with the regular daily season running from Memorial Day to Labor Day. They sometimes open on warm weekends outside that window, so call ahead if you want to float; see our tubing guide. If you're walking, you'll share the riverbank with tubers in summer, so expect noise and crowds near the launch points. For parking in town, see our parking guide.