Raven Cliff Falls Trail
A creekside hike to a waterfall that runs through a crack in a granite cliff
The short answer
Raven Cliff Falls is the waterfall hike that earns its miles. Dodd Creek runs through a split in a granite cliff in the Raven Cliffs Wilderness, and you follow the creek up through hemlock and rhododendron past small cascades to get there. It's not paved and it's not short. It's a real forest trail with creek crossings, and it's one of the best hikes within 15 minutes of Helen.
The trail runs 2.6 miles each way (5.2 round trip) from the Ravens Cliff trailhead on the Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway. Plan on three to four hours with time at the falls.
Raven Cliff Falls Trail at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Trail length | 2.6 miles each way into the Raven Cliffs Wilderness (about 5.2 round trip) |
| Trailhead | 3000 Richard Russell Highway (GA-348), Helen, GA. About 15 minutes from downtown. |
| Parking fee | $5 per vehicle per day. Pay by cash, check made out to the USDA Forest Service, or the Recreation.gov app. Only Senior and Access passes are accepted. |
| Parking | 30-car gravel lot; fills on fall and holiday weekends |
| Facilities | Vault toilet, picnic tables, bear-resistant trash bins and an information kiosk. No drinking water. |
| Creek crossings | Several; after rain a crossing can run calf-deep |
| Difficulty | Moderate; rocky, rooty and steeper near the falls |
| Time needed | About 3 to 4 hours round trip |
Fee, lot size and facilities are from the Forest Service trailhead page. The trailhead is open year-round; check the Forest Service for closures before you go.
On the trail
From the lot the path drops toward Dodd Creek and then follows it upstream through a narrow valley. You'll cross the water on rocks and logs, and when the creek is high some crossings mean wet boots. Waterproof boots or trekking poles help.
Along the way the creek tumbles over mossy ledges into small pools, and rhododendron thickets close in over the path. The final stretch to the falls is steeper and rockier. At the end, a viewing area looks up at the falls, where the creek threads through a fracture in the cliff face. Depending on the source the drop is roughly 100 feet in several steps.
Plenty of people turn around at one of the smaller cascades and still call it a good day. If your group includes young kids, that's a sensible plan.
Getting there
From downtown Helen head west on GA-75/17 and turn left on 17A toward Robertsville and Cleveland. After about 2.5 miles, turn right onto the Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway (GA-348). The trailhead is about 2.4 miles up. The highway keeps climbing to Hogpen Gap, so you can pair the hike with a scenic drive.
Safety and good manners
Watch the creek
Heavy rain makes crossings slick and deep. If it looks dangerous, turn around.
Stay at the viewing area
The cliffs near the falls are dangerous. Don't climb them.
Pack what you need
Water, snacks, a map and a light first aid kit. There's no drinking water at the trailhead and cell service is unreliable.
Respect the wilderness
Leave No Trace rules apply, and bears live here. See our bear safety guide.
Other waterfalls nearby: Dukes Creek Falls is a shorter walk (2.2 miles round trip) off the same highway, and Anna Ruby Falls is paved. Our waterfalls guide compares them.
Raven Cliff Falls questions
How long is the Raven Cliff Falls hike?
The trail is 2.6 miles each way, so about 5.2 miles round trip. Allow three to four hours.
How much does it cost to park?
$5 per vehicle per day at the Ravens Cliff trailhead. You can pay by cash, check or the Recreation.gov app, and only Senior and Access passes are accepted.
Are there restrooms at the trailhead?
There's a vault toilet, picnic tables and bear-resistant trash bins, but no drinking water.
Are there creek crossings?
Yes, several. After rain a crossing can run calf-deep, so wear boots you don't mind getting wet.
Related Imagery from Around Helen
