Fall Foliage Guide
Seven places to see the leaves, and two drives that tie them together
The short answer
When the color arrives
Color is driven by elevation, weather and tree species, and it starts on the highest peaks. Helen sits at about 1,440 feet, so the valley comes last. The Forestry Commission's weekly Leaf Watch report gives the percentage of color above and below 3,000 feet, and its first 2026 report found only 1-2% of leaves changed on October 1. Last year, peak above 3,000 feet began October 22, and low-elevation oaks peaked around November 6. For the full outlook, spot-by-spot detail and closures, read our Helen area fall color guide.
Where to go
Drive times are from downtown Helen, without traffic
| Spot | Drive | Cost | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unicoi State Park & Lodge | 10 min | $10 per vehicle | 2.5-mile Lake Trail around 53-acre Unicoi Lake; open 7 AM-10 PM |
| Anna Ruby Falls | 20 min | $6 ages 16+; 15 and under free | Twin falls (about 153 and 50 feet) at the end of a 0.4-mile paved trail; 9 AM-6 PM, last ticket 5 PM |
| Brasstown Bald | 40 min | $10 per adult 16+, shuttle included | Georgia's highest point, 4,784 feet; open daily 10 AM-5 PM |
| Vogel State Park | 45 min | $10 per vehicle | Lake drained for repairs; lake loop and waterfall closed. Bear Hair Gap loop (4 miles) is open |
| Helton Creek Falls | Near Vogel | Free | Easy 0.2-mile trail with abrupt changes in grade; small pullout, no restrooms |
| Tallulah Gorge State Park | 1 hr | $10 per vehicle | Gorge about 2 miles long and nearly 1,000 feet deep; south-side staircase closed |
| Black Rock Mountain State Park | 70 min | $10 per vehicle | 3,640 feet, Georgia's highest state park; roadside overlooks with 80-mile views |
One ParkPass covers every Georgia state park on the same day. Anna Ruby Falls and Brasstown Bald run on their own fees, and the ParkPass isn't accepted at either. Our guides to Anna Ruby Falls, Brasstown Bald and Unicoi have more.
Two scenic drives
| Drive | Route | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Russell-Brasstown National Scenic Byway | GA-17/75, GA-180 and GA-348 from Helen | A 40-mile loop over Unicoi Gap (2,940 ft) and Hogpen Gap (3,461 ft), with the Brasstown Bald spur and the Dukes Creek and Raven Cliffs trailheads on GA-348. Allow at least half a day with stops. |
| Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway (GA-348) | Between GA-75 Alt and GA-180 | The steep, curvy half of the byway. Dukes Creek Falls ($4 per vehicle) and Raven Cliffs ($5 per vehicle) are on it, and Hogpen Gap crosses the Appalachian Trail. |
The Forest Service byway page has the official route. Pull-offs on GA-348 fill up on peak weekends.
Check before you go
Closures
Vogel's lake loop and waterfall, Tallulah's south-side staircase, Black Rock's Ada-Hi Falls Trail and Amicalola's East Ridge Trail are closed this fall.
Mount Yonah
It's a great view from the Nacoochee Valley. See our Mount Yonah page before planning a climb.
Crowds
Weekdays are easier. Brasstown Bald's lot gets tight on fall weekends, so aim for the 10 AM opening.
Oktoberfest
It runs nightly through November 1. Pair a day on the trails with an evening at the Festhalle.
Foliage questions
When is the best time to see fall color in Helen?
The Georgia Forestry Commission's October 1 report expects northeast Georgia to peak around the end of October to the first of November, give or take a week. The high ridges usually go first, and the Forest Service says peak color moves down the mountains about 1,000 feet a week.
What is the best fall drive near Helen?
The 40-mile Russell-Brasstown National Scenic Byway, a loop that starts and ends in Helen. It climbs over Unicoi Gap and Hogpen Gap and passes the Brasstown Bald turnoff.
How much does it cost to see the leaves?
Driving is free. Georgia state parks are $10 per vehicle per day (or $70 for the year), Anna Ruby Falls is $6 per person 16 and up, Brasstown Bald is $10 per adult 16 and up, Dukes Creek Falls is $4 per vehicle and Raven Cliffs is $5.
Related Imagery from Around Helen
