Summer in Helen: River, Trails and Festivals
Tubing the Chattahoochee, cool waterfall hikes and summer festivals
The short answer
Summer is Helen's second-busiest season. The river runs right through town, the national forest is shaded and a bit cooler, and the calendar has something nearly every weekend. NOAA's averages for Helen put July highs at 86°F and lows at 65°F. Check weather.gov for the day's forecast, and start outdoor plans early.
Tubing the Chattahoochee
The classic Helen summer day
Outfitters hand you a tube and shuttle you to the put-in, then you float back toward town. The river is low in dry spells, so wear water shoes, and expect the bumpiest water after rain. Season runs from around Memorial Day weekend; check each outfitter's site for exact dates, since Cool River posts openings day by day in the early fall.
| Outfitter | Where | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cool River Tubing | Chattahoochee Outpost, 590 Edelweiss Strasse (706-878-2665); Headwaters Outpost, 112 Poplar Stump Rd; Main Street booth | $14 Mon-Fri; $16 Sat-Sun and holidays (ages 2+) | 1 to 1.5 hour or 2 to 2.5 hour float at the same price; shuttle included; dogs welcome (own tube or on your lap) |
| Helen Tubing & Waterpark | North Office, 9917 Hwy 75 North (706-878-7465); South Office, 685 Brucken Strasse | Check helentubing.com for current prices | Free parking at the north office with a shuttle back to your car; last shuttle to the put-in 4:30 PM; personal tubes not allowed in their lots |
Sources: Cool River Tubing and Helen Tubing. More in our tubing guide.
Tip: go in the morning. Lots and the river both fill by afternoon on weekends. Bring sunscreen, a dry change of clothes and a little cash for extras.
Hikes to beat the heat
Shade, creeks and waterfalls
The forests around Helen stay shady in summer. Hike early and finish before afternoon storms. The Georgia ParkPass is $10 per vehicle per day, and it covers every state park that day, but not Forest Service or FIND Outdoors sites.
| Hike | Where | Length | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unicoi Lake Trail | Unicoi State Park, 1788 Highway 356 | 2.5-mile loop, easy | $10 ParkPass per vehicle |
| Unicoi/Helen Trail | Lodge to downtown Helen | About 3 miles each way, foot traffic only | ParkPass at the lodge trailhead |
| Anna Ruby Falls | 3455 Anna Ruby Falls Road | About 0.4 mile each way, paved but steep in places; Lion's Eye Trail is 0.1 mile and accessible | $6 per person 16+; 15 and under free |
| Smithgall Woods | 61 Tsalaki Trail (706-878-3087) | Laurel Ridge loop 1.6 miles | $10 ParkPass; register at the visitor center |
| Dukes Creek Falls | 1699 Richard Russell Hwy (GA-348) | 2.2 miles round trip | $4 per vehicle |
| Raven Cliff Falls | 3000 Richard Russell Hwy (GA-348) | 2.6 miles each way, creek crossing | $5 per vehicle |
From Unicoi, Smithgall Woods, Anna Ruby Falls, Dukes Creek and Raven Cliff.
Bring bug spray for damp trails. Dukes Creek Falls has a Forest Service hazard alert for the waterfall, so stay on the trail. Anna Ruby Falls is open 9 AM to 6 PM with the last ticket at 5 PM.
Cooling off
Water safety first
Mountain creeks are cold and can run fast and slick after rain. Swim only where it's clearly permitted and where you can see the bottom, and don't jump from rocks or cliffs. The safest way to get wet in Helen is on a tube with a life jacket, or just wading at the edge. For lakeside and lodge amenities, call Unicoi Lodge at 706-878-2201. Vogel State Park's Lake Trahlyta is drained for dam repairs, so skip it this year.
Eating outdoors
Riverfront and patio meals
Troll Tavern sits on the Chattahoochee, which makes it a natural post-tubing stop (call ahead for hours). Bodensee and other German restaurants are listed on the visitors bureau's dining list. Pack a picnic for the trailhead if you're headed to a waterfall. See the restaurant guide.
Summer festivals and events
Confirmed 2027 dates where available
| Date | Event | Where | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, May 29, 2027, 6-11 PM | Bavarianfest | Festhalle, Helen | Memorial Day weekend; military and a guest free |
| Early June 2027 (dates TBA) | Helen to the Atlantic Balloon Race | Helen | The 54th race. 2026 ran June 4-6; flights around 7:30 AM and 6 PM |
| Sat, June 12, 2027, noon | Shriners Parade | Downtown Helen | Free to watch |
| July 4, at dusk (about 9-9:30 PM) | Fireworks | Behind the Alpine Village Shoppes and Welcome Center | Free; 2027 details to be confirmed |
| Early August 2027 (Aug 7 expected) | Helen Import Day | Event grounds in Helen | Date to be announced; 2026 tickets were $15 online, $20 at the gate |
| August 13-21, 2027 | Georgia Mountain Fair | Hiawassee | Held since 1950; 2026 admission was $10, kids 12 and under free |
Sources: Helen Chamber, helenga.org, helenballoon.com, Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds. See also the events calendar.
A sample plan
Three summer days
Day 1
Morning float with Cool River, lunch by the water, Anna Ruby Falls in the afternoon.
Day 2
Smithgall Woods in the morning, a long lunch downtown and an evening on a patio.
Day 3
Unicoi's lake trail, then a festival or parade if your dates line up.
Parking: free city lots east of Main Street, plus private pay lots with rates posted at the entrance; see the parking guide. State parks charge $10 per vehicle. For more activities, try the zipline page, or drive about 40 minutes to Dahlonega. The Appalachian Trail crosses GA-348 at Hogpen Gap.
Related Imagery from Around Helen
