The Wood Booger Georgia Waterfall Guide

Waterfall Rating

5 Stars – Amazing, not to be missed, GO NOW!

4 Stars – Excellent, well worth the effort

3 Stars – Average to above average, if you are in the area

2 Stars – Small, so in high water flow or winter will make it special 

1 Stars – More like a cascade (under 8 feet), without high water flow you might miss it.

Amicalola Falls: Rating – 5 Stars

Overall – The first waterfall in Georgia I visited is the granddaddy of them all and it is still the best. Amicalola Falls is a 729-foot wonder that makes it one of the tallest waterfall in the southeast and is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Georgia. It is located at Amicalola Falls State Park and I have seen it on five occasions and it gets better every time. There are three ways to reach the falls. If you are into hiking you can go up the East Ridge Trail (it is one of the Appalachian Trail (AT) Approach Trails) or take the 600 steps up the staircase. Or if you are not into hiking there are parking at the bottom middle and Top of the Falls with trails leading to each. If you have never seen a waterfall and you can get here this is a not to miss, no-brainier. Trust me I have seen plenty of waterfalls and they don’t get much better than this one.

Anna Ruby Falls: Rating – 4.8 Stars

Overall – This famous Georgia waterfall is near Helen and is just outside Unicoi State Park, but is not part of the park and is administered by the U.S. Forest Service. It is about half-mile to this unique waterfall, because it is not just one but two. Yes, Anna Ruby is a double waterfall. This is one of the main reason it is one of the best waterfalls in the Peach State. There is also a visitor center (which I missed on my visit) this is another not to miss waterfall.

Raven Cliff Falls: Rating – 3.8

Overall – Raven Cliffs Falls is another unique waterfall. It is a 60-foot waterfall that cuts through the rock so there are cliffs on each side, which gives the falls its name. It seems to be part free falling and part cascading, what is called a Tiered Waterfall. I need to point out if you want to visit it that it is a hike…literally. Unlike some waterfalls on this list this is a almost six-mile round trip hike on a rocky trail with some steep spots on the way to the falls. I remember that some people tried to push a baby stroller up the trail it was not long before it was abandoned. 

Falls of Tallulah Gorge

There are seven waterfalls at Tallulah Gorge State Park located in Tallulah Falls, GA. I visited six the seventh is Bridal Veil Falls/Sliding Rock which I didn’t hike to from the gorge floor.

L’ Eau d’ Falls: Rating – 4 Stars

Overall – This is the first waterfall you will view in the parked headed down to the bridge over Hurricane Falls. The best view of this 46 footer is from Overlook #3 on the North Rim of the gorge. It is an impressive waterfall. It looks like three falls as it slides across the rocks. This is not a hard waterfall to reach. This is a good warm-up for what is to come.

Tempeste Falls: Rating – 4.2

Overall – While this is not the second one you will see that is where it is at in the gorge. This one is even nicer than L’ Eau d’ Falls. It is a traditional 76-foot cascading waterfall and is best viewed from Overlook #7 which is on the South Rim of the gorge. Like L’ Eau d’ Falls it can only be viewed from above, if hiking.

Hurricane Falls: Rating – 4.7

Overall – The centerpiece of the Falls of Tallulah Gorge is the beautiful Hurricane Falls. This waterfall is kind of in the middle of the gorge. Besides that there are not many waterfalls nicer than this 96-footer. But, it is all of the different places that you can view this waterfall that makes it extra special. You can view it from North Rim from Overlook #1. On the South Rim it is viewable from Overlooks numbers 8, 9 and 10. Then there is the even better view from apt named Hurricane Falls Bridge which gives a view from the Top of the Falls. However, IMHO, the best spot to view the falls is from the bottom of the gorge. There is an overlook that gives a good view of the falls, but the best comes from the rocks on the river. But, if you want this view you need to get a Gorge Floor Permit. There is only 100 of these a day, but it is worth getting one.

Oceana Falls: Rating – 3.8

Overall – This is another waterfall that you can view from above or the gorge. This waterfall is one of those Fan Waterfalls that seems to “slide” down the smooth rock face. The funny thing is I think the best view of this 50-foot falls is not from up close but from Overlook #1 on the North Rim.

Caledonia Cascade: Rating – 3

Overall – What is the second tallest waterfall in Georgia? Most couldn’t tell you but it is this one the Caledonia Cascade. This is a 600-foot tiered waterfall that forms off a creek that flows near Overlook #1, so the best view is from the South Rim. You have to look for it and I will say that spring might be the best time to view it.

Sweet Sixteen: Rating – 1.8

Overall – This is a small waterfall that is viewable from the overlook at the Tallulah Point Store the first time I viewed it from here I got see kayakers trying to take the 16-foot plunge.    

Toccoa Falls: Rating – 4.6

Overall – This is one of the most famous and infamous waterfalls in Georgia. These falls are located on the campus of Toccoa Falls College. Some claim it is the tallest free-falling waterfall in the eastern U.S. while it isn’t this is an impressive waterfall that plunges 186 feet. It is a beautiful waterfall and the walk to it from the visitor center is only a couple hundred yards. On the walk up one will see the evidence of why this waterfall is also infamous. While you stroll by the tranquil Toccoa River one will find a monument to a moment when it wasn’t. In the early hours on November 6, 1977 the dam on Kelly Barnes Lake, which was located above the campus, burst after five days of torrential rains and poured over Toccoa Falls and the resulting flash flood killed 39 people. The monument is erected in their honor. It is a sober reminder that something so beautiful can also be deadly.

Mud Creek Falls: Rating – 4.1

Overall – This is a unique waterfall for where it is located in the Sky Valley, GA community below the dam and golf course.  This 100-foot beauty is a hidden gem. Also, it is not very hard to get to from where the road dead ends because it is a just a walk of a couple of yards from there down to the falls.

Ada-Hi Falls: Rating – 3.3

Overall – This waterfall has the distention of being at the highest elevation in Georgia. The odd name means forest in Cherokee. It is located in Black Rock Mountain State Park and the hike down to it is steep, but cuts through beautiful rhododendrons to an observation deck. It is not the biggest waterfall and its flow rate can vary. I will say when I went it was partially frozen, so it was a lovely site.

Lake Trahlyta Falls: Rating – 4.4

Overall – This was one of the more surprising waterfalls. It is located at Vogel State Park and the trail to it spurs off the Lake Trahlyta Trail at the far end of the lake. It is about two-tenths of a mile to stairs that leads down to a viewing deck. Because the 110-foot waterfall is just above the spillway so it always has great water flow. It is really impressive and easy to get to for anyone who visits Georgia’s oldest state park.

Haw Cascade: Rating – 1

Overall – This small, but quint cascade is on the Laurel Ridge Trail at Buford Dam. It is located on a footbridge above the Chattahoochee River. It is what it is a small cascade, but makes for a pleasant break while on the trail.

Goldmine Creek Falls: Rating – 2.5

Overall – This is what some call “a secret waterfall.” Hell, it is not even listed on the Waterfalls of North Georgia page on Wikipedia. The waterfall is located at Fort Mountain State Park off the Big Rock and Gahuti Trails. It is a waterfall that is in segments, but in total the falls travels 400 feet down the mountain, making it one of the largest in Georgia. It is probably because only a portion of the falls is visible that makes this one less know to people.

Falls of DeSoto Recreation Area

This set of falls are located off US 19 below Neel Gap on the Dahlonega, GA side. There is a $2 day use fee.

Upper Falls: Rating – 4 Stars

Overall – The upper DeSoto Falls is the more impressive of the two (actually three, but the trail to the middle one is closed). It is 200-foot waterfall and is the tougher of the two to reach. It is a ¾ of a mile hike from the footbridge (which is two-tenths of a mile from the parking area). When you reach your destination there is a nice viewing deck to observe this excellent waterfall.

Lower Falls: Rating – 3.8

Overall – The lower DeSoto Falls is smaller, 35 feet, and has less water flow, but is nice all the same. While the hike to it is shorter (.25 miles) the trail is steeper. Luckily it does switchback. If you like waterfalls then this is an easy one to reach.

Dukes Creek Falls Recreation Area

This set of falls are located off GA 348, better known as Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway, south of  Hog Pen Gap. There is a $2 day use fee.

Dukes Creek Falls: Rating – 4.6 Stars

Overall – This is a large waterfall, 300 feet in fact. It is even visible from a viewing deck near the parking area. However, if you want a closer view it is a 2.2 mile round trip trail (which is all uphill on the way back). Still, it is a hike that is well worth it. From the large viewing deck you can’t miss this huge waterfall. Something to remember there are some trees that cover the falls, so an early spring trip might be best. At its base Dukes Creek Falls Creek which is actually Davis Creek junctions with Dodd Creek to form Dukes Creek, confusing I know, which brings us too…

Lower Dodd Creek Falls: Rating – 4.2

Overall – If you go past the Dukes Creek Falls viewing deck and walk down the footbridge one will come to the end and other viewing deck. This spot allows one to enjoy the impressive Lower Dodd Creek Falls. While only 35 feet it has an amazing water flow.

Upper Dodd Creek Falls: Rating – 3

Overall – This is one that can be spotted off the trail, especially on the way back. It is a sliding waterfall that, like Dukes Creek Falls, is going to be more visible in winter/early spring. I will say this complex of waterfalls is a must see for crashing water lovers.

Carnes Cascade: Rating – 1.8 Stars

Overall – This is a cute little cascade just off the AT near Dicks Creek Gap. It is a little side path that leads to eight or ten foot waterfall. Besides a bench there is a sign to the left of the falls that says Carnes Cascade. I will say a lot of people miss this little gem because they just want to get to Dicks Creek Gap and Hiawassee after a week or more on the AT.

Lower Fall Creek Falls: Rating – 4.1 Stars

Overall – This is the first waterfall on the trail from the Wildcat Creek Campground. It is about 2.4 miles up the trail to the spur that leads to this 60 footer and it is a really nice waterfall.  It also has a swimming hole below the falls.

Upper Fall Creek Falls: Rating – 4.4 Stars

Overall – While it is almost two miles, uphill, to the upper falls it is well worth it. At 80 feet it is an impressive site. A nice set of Mountain Laurel hangs above the top of the falls. I will say it is one of the most impressive, and like the lower falls has a swimming hole below it.

Clay Creek Falls: Rating – 3.3 Stars

Overall – This is an easy waterfall to find it is near Dahlonega off GA 52 on Clay Creek Road. I mean it is right off the road. There is a pull-off so you can view the waterfall, but the falls themselves are on private property, so you will need to look at it from the road. But this is a nice 25-foot cascade that is well worth the few minutes it takes to find it.