8 Best Waterfall Hiking Locations in Georgia (2026 Updated)
These 8 Georgia waterfalls are reached on foot and rated highly by the people who hiked them, led by Hemlock Falls, Dukes Creek Falls, and Helton Creek Falls. The list spans the Northwest Ridges and Lookout Mountain, Northeast Georgia Mountains, and North Georgia Blue Ridge.
How We Picked
We started with the 8 publicly accessible Georgia waterfalls whose reviews or listing mention hiking, trails or walks, then ranked them by a weighted Google rating. Difficulty notes quote what reviewers say; always check current trail conditions with the land manager. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
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1. Hemlock Falls
Trenton, GA · Dade County · Northwest Ridges and Lookout Mountain
Why hike it
It is rated 4.9 stars by 22 Google reviewers. It is one of 4 named falls in the Northwest Ridges and Lookout Mountain region. The nearest town is Trenton, about 2.9 miles to the northwest.
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2. Dukes Creek Falls
Cleveland, GA · White County · Northeast Georgia Mountains
Why hike it
On the trail: "A moderate hiking trail with Mount Yonah views leads to this waterfall with a viewing platform." It is rated 4.8 stars by 449 Google reviewers. Little Hickorynut Mountain, a summit 0.8 mi away, rises above the area. It is one of 15 named falls in the Northeast Georgia Mountains region. The nearest town is Cleveland, about 7.4 miles to the south.
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3. Helton Creek Falls
Blairsville, GA · Union County · North Georgia Blue Ridge
Why hike it
On the trail: "Scenic double waterfalls in Chattahoochee National Forest with a short, kid-friendly hiking trail." It is rated 4.7 stars by 458 Google reviewers. 3 more named waterfalls are within 5 miles (Nottely Falls and High Water Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. Fisher Knob, a summit 0.5 mi away, rises above the area. It is one of 15 named falls in the North Georgia Blue Ridge region. The nearest town is Blairsville, about 9.2 miles to the northwest.
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4. Keown Falls
Calhoun, GA · Walker County · Northwest Ridges and Lookout Mountain
Why hike it
It is rated 4.7 stars by 116 Google reviewers. Johns Mountain, a summit 0.7 mi away, rises above the area. It is one of 4 named falls in the Northwest Ridges and Lookout Mountain region. The nearest town is Calhoun, about 11 miles to the southeast.
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5. DeSoto Falls
Blairsville, GA · Lumpkin County · North Georgia Blue Ridge
Why hike it
On the trail: "Tall waterfall in DeSoto State Park popular with visitors with a paved pathway & picnic area." Reviews are mixed on difficulty, mentioning both "easy hike" and "family hike" and "elevation gain". It is rated 4.6 stars by 215 Google reviewers. 3 more named waterfalls are within 5 miles (High Water Falls and Nottely Falls), so there is more to explore nearby. Cedar Mountain, a summit 0.7 mi away, rises above the area. It is one of 15 named falls in the North Georgia Blue Ridge region. The nearest town is Blairsville, about 11 miles to the north.
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6. Lula Falls
Chattanooga Valley, GA · Walker County · Northwest Ridges and Lookout Mountain
Why hike it
On the trail: "Open during limited times, this popular, stunning waterfall is accessed by a steep hiking trail." It is rated 4.5 stars by 112 Google reviewers. It is one of 4 named falls in the Northwest Ridges and Lookout Mountain region. The nearest town is Chattanooga Valley, about 0.9 miles to the east.
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7. Cascade Falls
Manchester, GA · Meriwether County
Why hike it
It is rated 4.4 stars by 62 Google reviewers. The nearest town is Manchester, about 4.4 miles to the east.
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8. Rock Falls
Broxton, GA · Coffee County
Why hike it
It is rated 4.1 stars by 25 Google reviewers. The nearest town is Broxton, about 7.7 miles to the south.
When to Visit Georgia's Waterfalls
Georgia's mountain waterfalls flow most strongly from late winter through spring, when frequent rain systems and occasional snowmelt keep streams high. March through May also brings wildflowers, and rhododendron and mountain laurel bloom along many trails from late spring into early summer. Summer remains a good time thanks to steady afternoon thunderstorms, although popular sites like Anna Ruby, Amicalola and Helton Creek are crowded on weekends. Fall color usually peaks in the northeast mountains in late October, which draws heavy traffic to Helen, Dahlonega and Clayton, and dry autumns can reduce flow noticeably. Keown Falls and other plateau-rim falls in the northwest are more seasonal and are best visited after rain. Winter offers solitude, and hard freezes occasionally create ice formations at higher elevations.
Before You Go
Most north Georgia falls lie in the Chattahoochee National Forest, with others in state parks such as Amicalola Falls and Unicoi, and a few on private or institutional land. Anna Ruby Falls is a fee area, and Georgia State Parks charge a daily parking fee. Toccoa Falls is located on the Toccoa Falls College campus, and Lula Falls is privately managed with limited open days, so check before going. Forest service roads to trailheads can be gravel and narrow. The main hazards are slick rock at the tops of falls, where serious and sometimes fatal accidents have occurred, and fast-rising water after summer storms. Weekend parking fills early at the most popular sites during summer and fall color season.
Read our waterfall safety rules and packing list before heading out. Hiking with children? Read waterfall hikes with kids.
Explore More Georgia Waterfalls
See all 36 waterfalls in the Georgia waterfall guide, or browse by town: Trenton, Cleveland, Blairsville, Calhoun, Chattanooga Valley, Manchester, Broxton.
More Georgia Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best hiking waterfall in Georgia?
Hemlock Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.9-star rating from 22 Google reviews. It is near Trenton in Dade County.
How was this list made?
We started with the 8 publicly accessible Georgia waterfalls whose reviews or listing mention hiking, trails or walks, then ranked them by a weighted Google rating. Difficulty notes quote what reviewers say; always check current trail conditions with the land manager.
How many waterfalls are in Georgia?
Our directory lists 36 named waterfalls in Georgia. See them all, sorted by town, in the Georgia waterfall guide.
What is the tallest waterfall in Georgia?
Amicalola Falls in Dawson County is often described as the tallest waterfall in Georgia and is one of the state's Seven Natural Wonders. It is the centerpiece of Amicalola Falls State Park.