Waterfalls of Georgia's State Parks
GA has no shortage of beautiful waterfalls. But here's a few of the really popular ones that you can find within the state parks of Georgia.
- Amicolola Falls: Located in Dawson Co, this is one of the highest falls in GA. You can hike to the top of the falls, or you can drive and see some of it. You will get much better views from hiking though! This park has a lot to do and it offers a lodge if you want to stay!
- Black Rock Mountain: Located in Rabun Co, Black Rock Mountain has the highest elevation of all the state parks in GA. You can see views for miles, but there is also a trail to Ada-Hi Falls. The trail is considered easy to moderate and is relatively short.
- Cloudland Canyon: Located in Rising Fawn, Cloudland Canyon offers two very beautiful waterfalls. The trail down to them is considered very strenuous. You will have to hike over and under large rocks, large roots, up and down stairs, steep inclines...but Hemlock Falls and Cherokee Falls are very beautiful and worth it to see. Cherokee Falls is very pooled at the bottom that you can wade in and cool off after getting all hot and sweaty from the hike.
- High Falls: In Jackson, High Falls State Park features one of the largest falls south of Atlanta. The cascades are part of the Towaliga River. The good thing about these falls is that you can see them from most of the park. You can take a very easy walk along the falls. It is not strenuous or hard at all. You can rent boats for the lake, but you can't go down in the falls.
- Moccasin Creek: Located in Clayton, Moccasin Creek is a very small park that is very out of the way and secluded. It is on Lake Burton, but you can hike down to Hemlock Falls. This two mile hike is considered one of the most scenic hikes in GA, and has many smaller falls along the way. Upper Moccasin Falls is a little further up, but is a bit rougher of a hike.
- Smithgall Woods: Located near Helen, Smithgall Woods offers so many hiking trails. About 2.8 miles from the Visitor Center is the Cathy Ellis or Chunanee Falls Trail which leads to a waterfall on what is known as the Alabama Branch. You are also able to reach Dukes Creek Falls from the Smithgall Woods Conservation Area.
- Tallulah Gorge: Located in Clayton, Tallulah Gorge has some of the most amazing views and is one of the largest canyons in the eastern US. There are 5 waterfalls throughout the gorge: Tempesta, Hurricane, Oceana, Bridal Veil, and L'Eau d'Or. Unfortunately, to see most of these falls does require a bit of a hike and this hike is a LOT of stairs.
- Vogel: Located in Blairsville, Vogel State Park is nestled in the mountains and has it's own small lake-Lake Trahlyta. The lake has a trail that loops around the entirety of the lake, and which you can see Trahlyta Falls. You can stay at the top and view the falls from there, or you can hike down into the woods a little ways and come to a platform that you can see the full falls from.
Amicolola Falls State Park
Cloudland Canyon State Park
Moccasin Creek State Park
Tallulah Gorge State Park
