Anna Ruby Falls Trail

It's a short walk with a big payoff. At Anna Ruby Falls, two creeks drop side by side: Curtis Creek about 153 feet and York Creek about 50 feet. Below the falls they join to form Smith Creek, the stream you follow up the trail. You reach the parking area by driving through Unicoi State Park, but the falls sit in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, and a nonprofit, FIND Outdoors, runs the site.

Don't let 0.4 mile fool you. The path climbs the whole way, with a few steep stretches, and benches where you can stop and catch your breath. It's a good fit for kids and for anyone who can handle a steady uphill, but wheelchair users should skip it and take the Lion's Eye Trail instead. For the full rundown on tickets and the site itself, see our Anna Ruby Falls guide.

The visitor center, gift shop and restrooms are at the parking area. From there the paved path follows the banks of Smith Creek upstream, and the sound of water builds as you climb. It ends at an upper and a lower observation deck, with both falls in view. The walk back is downhill and goes quickly. Plenty of people end up lingering at the decks longer than they planned.

The 0.1-mile Lion's Eye Trail is paved and wheelchair accessible. A cable handrail guides you, and the signs are in print and braille, so it was designed with visitors who have low vision in mind. It's a nice add-on even if you don't need it: it takes only a few minutes, and it's the one stretch at this site that's flat and easy for everybody.

For this year's color timing, see fall color around Helen.

The falls are about 6 miles and 20 minutes from downtown Helen. The road runs through Unicoi State Park and ends at the Anna Ruby Falls parking area, so follow the signs from GA-356. You pay at the gatehouse, not at the state park, and the Georgia ParkPass doesn't apply. On Oktoberfest and leaf-season weekends the lot fills and traffic slows on the approach, so go early or on a weekday.

The pavement stays damp near the creek and can be slick, so wear closed-toe shoes with traction. Stay on the trail and behind the railings at the decks; wet rock near waterfalls is slippery. Keep dogs leashed, pick up after them, and pack out your trash. Stay out of the water at the falls. If you want a swim, Unicoi Lake is a short drive back down the road. The Leave No Trace principles apply here as anywhere.