North Georgia Mountain Area

Georgia has so many incredible waterfalls worth seeing with some on paved trails or less than a mile from a parking area. Start at the top with Amicalola Falls in Dawsonville, which is both the tallest in the state and the starting point for the famed Appalachian Trail. Nearby Anna Ruby Falls and DeSoto Falls provide unrivaled views.

Amicalola Falls

Spectacular scenery and hiking trails make Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge one of Georgia’s most popular state parks. At 729 feet, Amicalola Falls is the tallest cascading waterfall in the Southeast. Visitors have choices on how to best view the tumbling waters, ranging from an accessible pathway to a challenging trail with staircases.

Anna Ruby Falls

Located in the Chattooga Ranger District, these twin waterfalls from Curtis Creek (150 feet) and York Creek (50 feet) merge to form Smith Creek. These falls are reached by a scenic half-mile interpretive trail that parallels Smith Creek and ends at the base of the falls. Picnic areas and hiking trails, as well as a visitor centre and gift shops, are all close by.

DeSoto Falls

There are five beautiful waterfalls along the 3-mile section of the DeSoto Falls Trail located in the 650-acre recreation area. Hikers can access three of the falls, designated as the lower, middle, and upper DeSoto Falls. The lower falls cascade 20 feet, while the middle and the most scenic falls drop 80 feet. Water at the upper falls surges down a granite rock incline for almost 200 feet and may be viewed from the flat, granite formation which overlooks the falls.