Summer in Helen
A river through town, shaded trails and long evenings
The short answer
Helen sits at about 1,440 feet with the Chattahoochee running through town and national forest on three sides, so summer runs a little cooler than the Georgia Piedmont. It is the second-busiest season after fall, and the river is the reason. Check weather.gov before you plan the day.
A summer day, in order
Timing beats everything else
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Morning | Hike early. Dukes Creek Falls is 2.2 miles round trip ($4 per vehicle); Anna Ruby Falls opens at 9 AM ($6 per person 16+). |
| Midday | Tube the Chattahoochee. Cool River offers 1 to 1.5 hour and 2 to 2.5 hour floats at the same price. |
| Afternoon | Storms often arrive. Duck into a tasting room, a shop or a long lunch. |
| Evening | River-view patios, a walk after dinner or, on July 4, fireworks at dusk. |
River tubing
Helen's signature summer activity
Floating the Chattahoochee is the classic Helen summer day. Cool River Tubing charged $14 Monday to Friday and $16 on weekends and holidays in 2026 for ages 2 and up, with a shuttle included and dogs welcome. It runs outposts at 590 Edelweiss Strasse (706-878-2665), 112 Poplar Stump Rd and a Main Street booth. Helen Tubing & Waterpark has offices at 9917 Hwy 75 North (706-878-7465) and 685 Brucken Strasse. The daily season starts again Memorial Day weekend, and outfitters may open on warm weekends before then. See the tubing page for more.
Go in the morning or on a weekday, wear water shoes (the river bottom is rocky) and use waterproof sunscreen. Water gets low in dry spells, so push sticks and patience help. Keep valuables locked up at your lodging.
Tubing outfitters at a glance
| Outfitter | Where | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Cool River Tubing | Chattahoochee Outpost, 590 Edelweiss Strasse (706-878-2665); Headwaters Outpost, 112 Poplar Stump Rd (706-878-9471); Main Street booth, 8600 N Main St | $14 Mon-Fri, $16 Sat-Sun and holidays (2026), shuttle included, ages 2+, dogs welcome. |
| Helen Tubing & Waterpark | North Office, 9917 Hwy 75 N; South Office, 685 Brucken Strasse | Free parking at the North Office with a shuttle back to your car. Last shuttle to the put-in is 4:30 PM, and personal tubes aren't allowed in their lots. |
Details from Cool River Tubing and Helen Tubing & Waterpark. Prices and hours change, so confirm before you go.
Source: NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Helen station (USC00094230). Averages, not forecasts; the ridges run cooler than town.
| Month | Average high °F | Average low °F | Rain (in) | Snow (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 49 | 29 | 6.8 | 0.5 |
| February | 53 | 31 | 6 | 0.7 |
| March | 61 | 36 | 6.8 | 0 |
| April | 70 | 43 | 5.8 | 0 |
| May | 77 | 52 | 5.6 | 0 |
| June | 83 | 61 | 6.3 | 0 |
| July | 86 | 65 | 5.6 | 0 |
| August | 85 | 64 | 6.6 | 0 |
| September | 80 | 58 | 5.3 | 0 |
| October | 70 | 46 | 4.9 | 0 |
| November | 60 | 36 | 6 | 0 |
| December | 51 | 32 | 7 | 0.3 |
Summer hiking
Start early
The forest canopy keeps trails shaded, and waterfalls add cool spray. Aim to be on the trail by 8 AM. The Raven Cliff Falls Trail is 2.6 miles each way with a creek crossing, and the Dukes Creek Falls Trail is 2.2 miles round trip; the Forest Service lists a waterfall hazard alert there, so stay on the trail. Fees: Dukes Creek $4 per vehicle, Raven Cliffs $5, per the Forest Service.
Carry more water than you think you'll need. Summer thunderstorms can hit exposed ridges like Mount Yonah, so if you hear thunder, head downhill and off open rock.
More summer ideas
Beyond the river
Water safety
Mountain creeks run cold and fast after rain. Wade at the edge, and don't jump from rocks. Vogel State Park's lake is drained for repairs this year.
Mountain biking
See our mountain biking page and the Unicoi State Park trail map for where bikes are allowed.
Outdoor dining
River-view patios fill on summer evenings. See the restaurant guide.
Summer events
Bavarianfest (May 29, 2027), the Shriners Parade (June 12, 2027, noon) and July 4 fireworks at dusk. Full dates on the summer activities page.
Summer Questions
How hot does Helen get in summer?
NOAA's 1991-2020 normals give average highs of 83°F in June, 86°F in July and 85°F in August, with lows from 61 to 65°F. July averages 10 days at or above 90°F.
How much does tubing cost in Helen?
Cool River Tubing charged $14 Monday to Friday and $16 on weekends and holidays in 2026, with the shuttle included. Check Helen Tubing & Waterpark's site for its current prices.
When does the tubing season start?
The daily season at Cool River runs from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Outfitters open some weekends in April, May and September, weather and staff permitting, so call ahead.
When do afternoon storms usually hit?
Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so plan hikes for the morning. If you hear thunder on an exposed ridge, head downhill and off open rock.
What does it cost to hike the waterfalls?
Dukes Creek Falls is $4 per vehicle, Raven Cliffs $5 per vehicle and Anna Ruby Falls $6 per person ages 16 and up. State parks are $10 per vehicle per day.
More to explore
Summer near Helen
Related Imagery from Around Helen
