Helen Budget Travel
What each kind of day costs, and how to save
The short answer
What a day costs
Two adults, one vehicle, fees only
| Day | What's included | Fees for two |
|---|---|---|
| Free day | Walk the village and river, the 1-mile Helen to Hardman trail, the byway drive, Helton Creek Falls; park in the free city lots | $0 in fees (gas only) |
| Waterfall day | Anna Ruby Falls ($6 each, parking included) plus Dukes Creek Falls ($4 per vehicle) | $16 |
| State park day | Unicoi State Park Lake Trail; ParkPass is per vehicle and covers every state park that day | $10 |
| Brasstown Bald | $10 per adult 16+, shuttle to the summit included | $20 |
| Oktoberfest night, Mon-Thu | Adult admission $10 each (through Nov 1) | $20 |
| Oktoberfest night, Fri or Sat | Adult admission $15 each | $30 |
| Oktoberfest, Sunday | Free admission, 1-7 PM | $0 |
| Tubing, in season | Cool River: $14 each Mon-Fri, $16 each Sat-Sun and holidays; daily season Memorial Day to Labor Day, call ahead in fall | $28 weekday / $32 weekend |
Food, lodging and gas aren't included. Fees are from Georgia State Parks, FIND Outdoors, the Forest Service, Cool River Tubing and the Chamber. Prices can change.
Six ways to save
Go midweek
Lodging is the biggest cost, and fall and holiday weekends are the most expensive. Oktoberfest also costs less Monday to Thursday.
Share a cabin
A cabin with a kitchen cuts meal costs, and splitting one among couples often beats separate rooms. Start at the cabin rentals guide.
Camp
Unicoi State Park has a campground; call 706-878-2201 for rates and book early for fall weekends.
Park free
City lots east of Main Street are free. Private lots post rates at the entrance. See the parking guide.
Buy the pass
If you'll visit two or more state parks over the year, the $70 annual ParkPass beats $10 day passes. Seniors 62+ get 50% off and military and veterans 25% off in person.
Skip the paid parking
Anna Ruby Falls includes parking in its $6 admission, and you don't need a ParkPass to drive through Unicoi to reach it.
See also the budget guide, the budget lodging guide and the cabin rentals guide. The Welcome Center's hotel and motel list includes the Heidi Motel and Riverbend Motel and Cabins; compare rates by date, since they change with demand.
Which pass works where
The ParkPass doesn't cover everything
Several of the best stops near Helen are run by the Forest Service or FIND Outdoors, not the state, so a ParkPass won't get you in. Knowing that before you leave saves a surprise at the gate.
| Place | What you pay with | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia state parks (Unicoi, Smithgall Woods, Vogel, Tallulah Gorge and others) | Georgia ParkPass | $10 per vehicle per day or $70 a year; one pass covers every state park that day |
| Anna Ruby Falls | Pay at the gatehouse | $6 ages 16+; the ParkPass isn't accepted |
| Brasstown Bald | Per-adult fee or federal passes | $10 per adult 16+ with the shuttle included; interagency pass holders pay $4 for the shuttle; a $40 annual pass exists |
| Dukes Creek Falls | Card, Recreation.gov scan-and-pay or America the Beautiful pass | $4 per vehicle per day |
| Raven Cliffs trailhead | Only Senior, Access or Golden passes | $5 per vehicle per day |
Two sample trips, fees only
Fee-light fall weekend
Saturday: Anna Ruby Falls for two ($12) plus Dukes Creek Falls ($4). Sunday: the Helen to Hardman trail and Oktoberfest, both free.
$16 for two
Midweek fall trip
One Oktoberfest night for two ($20 Mon-Thu), a state park day ($10 per vehicle) and the byway drive (gas only).
$30 for two
Free and cheap, season by season
| When | What's free or cheap |
|---|---|
| Now through Nov 1 | Oktoberfest is free on Sundays; Mon-Thu is $10 for adults. Leaf-season drives cost only gas. |
| Nov 27 - Dec 12 | Christmas Market (Nov 28-29, Dec 5-6) and the parade (Dec 12, 6 PM) are free; the Lighting of the Village (Nov 27) lists no price. |
| Feb 13-14, 2027 | WinterFest Arts Tour, free, 10 AM-5 PM, at multiple venues. |
| Memorial Day to Labor Day | Tubing at $14 weekdays; free river views from the bank. |
More in the free activities guide and on the events calendar.
Budget questions
What is the cheapest time to visit Helen?
Weekdays outside fall and the holidays, mostly in winter and spring. Lodging rates follow demand, so compare dates. Oktoberfest admission is lowest Monday to Thursday and free on Sundays.
Can you do Helen for free?
Largely, yes: the village, the river, the 1-mile Helen to Hardman trail, the scenic byway and holiday events like the Christmas Market (Nov 28-29, Dec 5-6) are free, and the Lighting of the Village (Nov 27) lists no price. Parking is free in the city lots east of Main Street.
Is the Georgia ParkPass worth it?
It's $10 per vehicle per day or $70 a year, good at every state park. It isn't accepted at Anna Ruby Falls, Brasstown Bald or Forest Service sites.
Related Imagery from Around Helen
