State guide

Waterfalls in Georgia

36 waterfalls across 15 counties, ranked 21st nationally. The main waterfall regions are Northeast Georgia Mountains, North Georgia Blue Ridge, and Northwest Ridges and Lookout Mountain.

Source: USGS Geographic Names Information System, with visitor ratings from Google Maps listings.

Best WaterfallsMost Beautiful WaterfallsMust-See WaterfallsBest Waterfall Hikes

Photo of Anna Ruby Falls in White County, Georgia
Pictured: Anna Ruby Falls, GA

Towns

Why Georgia Has So Many Waterfalls

Nearly all of Georgia's waterfalls are packed into a small slice of the state: the Blue Ridge Mountains that cross its northern border, plus the ridge and plateau country of the far northwest. The Blue Ridge here forms part of the Eastern Continental Divide, and its southern and eastern edge drops steeply toward the Piedmont. Streams falling off that escarpment, over hard metamorphic rock such as gneiss and schist, create the tall slides and plunges found in Rabun, White, Lumpkin and Union counties. Our directory lists 36 named waterfalls in Georgia, ranking it 21st nationally, with Rabun County alone holding ten.

Rainfall is a large part of the story. The northeast Georgia mountains are among the wettest places in the eastern United States, keeping creeks running through most of the year. In the northwest corner, Lookout and Pigeon mountains are part of the Cumberland Plateau, where sandstone caprock creates canyon-rim falls quite different from the Blue Ridge cascades. South of the mountains, the Piedmont and coastal plain hold few natural drops, though shoals do occur along the fall line, and an isolated waterfall such as the one in Coffee County is the exception rather than the rule.

Georgia Waterfall Regions

Northeast Georgia Mountains

15 waterfalls · Rabun County, White County, Habersham County, Stephens County, and Towns County

Rabun County, in the state's northeast corner, has more waterfalls than any other Georgia county, scattered through the Chattahoochee National Forest around Clayton and Mountain City. Mud Creek Falls is among the highest-rated here. Nearby White County is home to Anna Ruby Falls, a double waterfall reached by driving through Unicoi State Park to a visitor center, and Dukes Creek Falls, where a trail with views of Mount Yonah descends to a viewing platform. To the east, Toccoa Falls in Stephens County drops off the edge of the Blue Ridge onto the Piedmont, while Hemlock Falls in Towns County is a quieter forest cascade.

Start with: Anna Ruby Falls, Dukes Creek Falls, Toccoa Falls, Mud Creek Falls, Hemlock Falls

North Georgia Blue Ridge

15 waterfalls · Lumpkin County, Union County, Fannin County, Dawson County, and Pickens County

West of Rabun, the Blue Ridge spreads across Lumpkin, Union, Fannin and Dawson counties, where the Appalachian Trail begins its northbound run. Amicalola Falls, in the state park of the same name in Dawson County, is often described as the tallest waterfall in Georgia and is counted among the state's Seven Natural Wonders. Helton Creek Falls in Union County is a short, family-friendly walk to two drops, and DeSoto Falls in Lumpkin County has upper and lower falls along a forest trail. Sea Creek Falls in Fannin County is a small cascade reached by a short walk, and USGS records a long series of falls on a Frogtown Creek tributary near Neels Gap.

Start with: Amicalola Falls, Helton Creek Falls, DeSoto Falls, Sea Creek Falls, Cane Creek Falls

Northwest Ridges and Lookout Mountain

4 waterfalls · Walker County, Dade County, and Polk County

Georgia's northwest corner belongs to a different geologic province. Lookout Mountain and Pigeon Mountain are flat-topped ridges capped with sandstone, and the folded Valley and Ridge country lies to their east. Keown Falls in Walker County drops off a sandstone rim on Johns Mountain and can slow to a trickle in dry weather. Lula Falls, also in Walker County, is reached by a steep trail and is open only at limited times. Dade County contains Cloudland Canyon on the western edge of Lookout Mountain. Polk County, further south, holds a lone waterfall on the edge of the ridge country.

Start with: Keown Falls, Lula Falls, Hightower Falls, Hemlock Falls

25 Featured Waterfalls in Georgia

Ordered by Google rating and review volume, then by documented USGS history.

  1. Anna Ruby Falls

    Cleveland, GA · White County
    4.8 (1,559 reviews)

    Picturesque waterfall with a visitor's center accessible by driving through Unicoi State Park.

    Rating
    4.8 (1,559 Google reviews)
    Address
    White County, GA 30571 (GPS 34.7634, -83.7121)
    Nearest town
    Cleveland, GA (12 mi)
    USGS topo
    Tray Mountain quad
    View details Directions

  2. Amicalola Falls

    Dawsonville, GA · Dawson County
    4.9 (465 reviews)

    This towering waterfall in Amicalola Falls State Park is one of the 7 Natural Wonders of Georgia.

    Rating
    4.9 (465 Google reviews)
    Address
    Dawson County, GA 30534 (GPS 34.5640, -84.2396)
    Nearest town
    Dawsonville, GA (12 mi)
    USGS topo
    Nimblewill quad
    View details Directions

  3. Dukes Creek Falls

    Cleveland, GA · White County
    4.8 (449 reviews)

    A moderate hiking trail with Mount Yonah views leads to this waterfall with a viewing platform.

    Rating
    4.8 (449 Google reviews)
    Address
    White County, GA 30528 (GPS 34.7020, -83.7913)
    Nearest town
    Cleveland, GA (7.4 mi)
    USGS topo
    Cowrock quad
    View details Directions

  4. Helton Creek Falls

    Blairsville, GA · Union County
    4.7 (458 reviews)

    Scenic double waterfalls in Chattahoochee National Forest with a short, kid-friendly hiking trail.

    Rating
    4.7 (458 Google reviews)
    Address
    Union County, GA 30512 (GPS 34.7526, -83.8957)
    Nearest town
    Blairsville, GA (9.2 mi)
    USGS topo
    Coosa Bald quad
    View details Directions

  5. DeSoto Falls

    Blairsville, GA · Lumpkin County
    4.6 (215 reviews)

    Tall waterfall in DeSoto State Park popular with visitors with a paved pathway & picnic area.

    Rating
    4.6 (215 Google reviews)
    Address
    Lumpkin County, GA 30528 (GPS 34.7170, -83.9194)
    Known for
    creek, upper falls, easy hike, lower falls, well maintained trail
    Nearest town
    Blairsville, GA (11 mi)
    USGS topo
    Neel Gap quad
    View details Directions

  6. Toccoa Falls

    Toccoa, GA · Stephens County
    4.6 (233 reviews)

    Toccoa Falls is a waterfall in Stephens County, Georgia, about 2.0 miles northwest of Toccoa. It appears on the USGS Toccoa topographic map.

    Rating
    4.6 (233 Google reviews)
    Address
    Toccoa Falls, GA 30577
    Nearest town
    Toccoa, GA (2.0 mi)
    USGS topo
    Toccoa quad
    View details Directions

  7. Sea Creek Falls

    Blairsville, GA · Fannin County
    4.7 (137 reviews)

    Sea Creek Falls is a waterfall in Fannin County, Georgia, about 11 miles southwest of Blairsville. It appears on the USGS Mulky Gap topographic map.

    Rating
    4.7 (137 Google reviews)
    Address
    Fannin County, GA 30572 (GPS 34.7701, -84.0946)
    Nearest town
    Blairsville, GA (11 mi)
    USGS topo
    Mulky Gap quad
    View details Directions

  8. Keown Falls

    Calhoun, GA · Walker County
    4.7 (116 reviews)

    Keown Falls is a waterfall in Walker County, Georgia, about 11 miles northwest of Calhoun. It appears on the USGS Sugar Valley topographic map.

    Rating
    4.7 (116 Google reviews)
    Address
    Walker County, GA 30728 (GPS 34.6134, -85.0944)
    Known for
    overlook, salamanders, picnic areas, tough hike, snails
    Nearest town
    Calhoun, GA (11 mi)
    USGS topo
    Sugar Valley quad
    View details Directions

  9. Mud Creek Falls

    Mountain City, GA · Rabun County
    4.9 (85 reviews)

    Mud Creek Falls is a waterfall in Rabun County, Georgia, about 5.4 miles northeast of Mountain City.

    Rating
    4.9 (85 Google reviews)
    Address
    Sky Valley, GA 30537
    Nearest town
    Mountain City, GA (5.4 mi)
    View details Directions

  10. Lula Falls

    Chattanooga Valley, GA · Walker County
    4.5 (112 reviews)

    Open during limited times, this popular, stunning waterfall is accessed by a steep hiking trail.

    Rating
    4.5 (112 Google reviews)
    Address
    Walker County, GA 30738 (GPS 34.9329, -85.3719)
    Nearest town
    Chattanooga Valley, GA (0.9 mi)
    USGS topo
    Fort Oglethorpe quad
    View details Directions

  11. Hemlock Falls

    Hiawassee, GA · Towns County
    4.9 (69 reviews)

    Hemlock Falls is a waterfall in Towns County, Georgia, about 11 miles southeast of Hiawassee.

    Rating
    4.9 (69 Google reviews)
    Address
    Towns County, GA 30523 (GPS 34.8526, -83.6109)
    Nearest town
    Hiawassee, GA (11 mi)
    View details Directions

  12. Cascade Falls

    Manchester, GA · Meriwether County
    4.4 (62 reviews)

    Cascade Falls is a waterfall in Meriwether County, Georgia, about 4.4 miles west of Manchester. It appears on the USGS Shiloh topographic map.

    Rating
    4.4 (62 Google reviews)
    Address
    Meriwether County, GA 31830 (GPS 32.8701, -84.6952)
    Known for
    water bottle refill, hike, scenery, trespassing, waterfalls
    Nearest town
    Manchester, GA (4.4 mi)
    USGS topo
    Shiloh quad
    View details Directions

  13. Horsetrough Falls

    Hiawassee, GA · Union County
    4.6 (47 reviews)

    Horsetrough Falls is a waterfall in Union County, Georgia, about 11 miles south of Hiawassee. It appears on the USGS Jacks Gap topographic map.

    Rating
    4.6 (47 Google reviews)
    Address
    Union County, GA 30512 (GPS 34.7951, -83.7882)
    Nearest town
    Hiawassee, GA (11 mi)
    USGS topo
    Jacks Gap quad
    View details Directions

  14. Dick's Creek Falls

    Mountain City, GA · Rabun County
    4.5 (36 reviews)

    Dick's Creek Falls is a waterfall in Rabun County, Georgia, about 8.7 miles southeast of Mountain City.

    Rating
    4.5 (36 Google reviews)
    Address
    Rabun County, GA 30525 (GPS 34.8676, -83.2451)
    Nearest town
    Mountain City, GA (8.7 mi)
    View details Directions

  15. Hemlock Falls

    Trenton, GA · Dade County
    4.9 (22 reviews)

    Hemlock Falls is a waterfall in Dade County, Georgia, about 2.9 miles southeast of Trenton.

    Rating
    4.9 (22 Google reviews)
    Address
    Dade County, GA 30738 (GPS 34.8353, -85.4828)
    Known for
    stairs, hiking, waterfall
    Nearest town
    Trenton, GA (2.9 mi)
    View details Directions

  16. Noontootla Falls

    Blue Ridge, GA · Fannin County
    4.4 (30 reviews)

    Noontootla Falls is a waterfall in Fannin County, Georgia, about 14 miles southeast of Blue Ridge. It appears on the USGS Noontootla topographic map.

    Rating
    4.4 (30 Google reviews)
    Address
    Fannin County, GA 30513 (GPS 34.6859, -84.1938)
    Nearest town
    Blue Ridge, GA (14 mi)
    USGS topo
    Noontootla quad
    View details Directions

  17. Cane Creek Falls

    Dahlonega, GA · Lumpkin County
    3.1 (82 reviews)

    Cane Creek Falls is a waterfall in Lumpkin County, Georgia, about 2.1 miles northwest of Dahlonega.

    Rating
    3.1 (82 Google reviews)
    Address
    Dahlonega, GA 30533
    Nearest town
    Dahlonega, GA (2.1 mi)
    View details Directions

  18. Estatoah Falls

    Mountain City, GA · Rabun County
    4.5 (19 reviews)

    This scenic waterfall on private property can been seen from spots alongs Georgia State Route 246.

    Rating
    4.5 (19 Google reviews)
    Address
    Sky Valley, GA 30537
    Nearest town
    Mountain City, GA (5.6 mi)
    USGS topo
    Rabun Bald quad
    View details Directions

  19. Cochrans Falls

    Dawsonville, GA · Dawson County
    4.2 (20 reviews)

    Cochrans Falls is a waterfall in Dawson County, Georgia, about 12 miles northwest of Dawsonville. It appears on the USGS Nimblewill topographic map.

    Rating
    4.2 (20 Google reviews)
    Address
    Dawson County, GA 30534 (GPS 34.5795, -84.2138)
    Nearest town
    Dawsonville, GA (12 mi)
    USGS topo
    Nimblewill quad
    View details Directions

  20. Rock Falls

    Broxton, GA · Coffee County
    4.1 (25 reviews)

    Rock Falls is a waterfall in Coffee County, Georgia, about 7.7 miles north of Broxton. It appears on the USGS Broxton NE topographic map.

    Rating
    4.1 (25 Google reviews)
    Address
    Coffee County, GA 31519 (GPS 31.7324, -82.8535)
    Known for
    activity after rain, hunting season, pretty area, hiking, waterfalls
    Nearest town
    Broxton, GA (7.7 mi)
    USGS topo
    Broxton NE quad
    View details Directions

  21. Cascade Falls

    Clayton, GA · Rabun County
    4.7 (14 reviews)

    Cascade Falls is a waterfall in Rabun County, Georgia, about 9.6 miles south of Clayton. It appears on the USGS Tallulah Falls topographic map.

    Rating
    4.7 (14 Google reviews)
    Address
    Tallulah Falls, GA 30573
    Nearest town
    Clayton, GA (9.6 mi)
    USGS topo
    Tallulah Falls quad
    View details Directions

  22. Big Bend Falls

    Mountain City, GA · Rabun County
    4.7 (12 reviews)

    Big Bend Falls is a waterfall in Rabun County, Georgia, about 15 miles east of Mountain City. It appears on the USGS Tamassee topographic map.

    Rating
    4.7 (12 Google reviews)
    Address
    Rabun County, GA 29664 (GPS 34.9531, -83.1188)
    Nearest town
    Mountain City, GA (15 mi)
    USGS topo
    Tamassee quad
    View details Directions

  23. Black Falls

    Dahlonega, GA · Lumpkin County
    3.6 (20 reviews)

    Black Falls is a waterfall in Lumpkin County, Georgia, about 9.3 miles northwest of Dahlonega. It appears on the USGS Campbell Mountain topographic map.

    Rating
    3.6 (20 Google reviews)
    Address
    Lumpkin County, GA 30533 (GPS 34.6231, -84.1057)
    Nearest town
    Dahlonega, GA (9.3 mi)
    USGS topo
    Campbell Mountain quad
    View details Directions

  24. Holcomb Creek Falls

    Mountain City, GA · Rabun County
    4.4 (9 reviews)

    Holcomb Creek Falls is a waterfall in Rabun County, Georgia, about 8.1 miles northeast of Mountain City.

    Rating
    4.4 (9 Google reviews)
    Address
    Rabun County, GA 30537 (GPS 34.9816, -83.2657)
    Nearest town
    Mountain City, GA (8.1 mi)
    View details Directions

  25. Padgett Falls

    Jasper, GA · Pickens County
    3.1 (24 reviews)

    Padgett Falls is a waterfall in Pickens County, Georgia, about 2.4 miles southwest of Jasper. It appears on the USGS Jasper topographic map.

    Rating
    3.1 (24 Google reviews)
    Address
    Pickens County, GA 30143 (GPS 34.4523, -84.4677)
    Known for
    dogs, adventure, public, google maps, private property
    Nearest town
    Jasper, GA (2.4 mi)
    USGS topo
    Jasper quad
    View details Directions

Highest Rated in Georgia

  1. Amicalola Falls 4.9 from 465 reviews · Dawsonville
  2. Mud Creek Falls 4.9 from 85 reviews · Mountain City
  3. Hemlock Falls 4.9 from 69 reviews · Hiawassee
  4. Anna Ruby Falls 4.8 from 1,559 reviews · Cleveland
  5. Dukes Creek Falls 4.8 from 449 reviews · Cleveland

Waterfalls with at least 25 Google reviews.

What Visitors Mention

  • Reviews of 1 Georgia waterfall mention easy access, including DeSoto Falls.
  • Reviews of 1 Georgia waterfall mention families and kids, including DeSoto Falls.
  • Reviews of 1 Georgia waterfall mention dogs, including Padgett Falls.

Georgia Waterfalls by the Compass

The farthest-apart named falls in Georgia are about 263 miles apart.

Names and History

The most reused names are Hemlock Falls (2) and Cascade Falls (2), so check the county and town before you set out.

3 waterfalls have alternate historical names on record, such as Amicalola Falls (also Amicolola Falls) and DeSoto Falls (also De Soto Falls).

From the USGS record for High Water Falls: "The name refers to the long drop of the falls and its prominence after heavy rainfall."

Best Time to See Waterfalls in Georgia

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.

Planning a Waterfall Trip in Georgia

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.

More: waterfall safety · packing list

Find Waterfalls Near a Georgia Town

Waterfalls by County

CountyWaterfallsShareMost visited
Rabun1028%Mud Creek Falls
Lumpkin514%DeSoto Falls
Union411%Helton Creek Falls
Fannin38%Sea Creek Falls
Dawson26%Amicalola Falls
Walker26%Keown Falls
White26%Anna Ruby Falls
Coffee13%Rock Falls
Dade13%Hemlock Falls
Habersham13%Wilson Falls
Meriwether13%Cascade Falls
Pickens13%Padgett Falls
Polk13%Hightower Falls
Stephens13%Toccoa Falls
Towns13%Hemlock Falls

All Georgia Waterfalls A to Z

Georgia Waterfalls: FAQs

How many waterfalls are in Georgia?

Our directory lists 36 waterfalls in Georgia (28 officially named in the USGS Geographic Names Information System and 8 added from Google Maps listings), 21st among the 50 jurisdictions in our directory and 1.4% of the national total. 53% of them are in just three counties: Rabun, Lumpkin, and Union.

What is the most visited waterfall in Georgia?

By Google review count, Anna Ruby Falls in White County leads with 1,559 reviews and a 4.8 rating. Amicalola Falls is next.

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.

Which north Georgia town is the best base for waterfall trips?

Clayton in Rabun County puts the greatest number of falls within reach, while Helen and Dahlonega are close to Anna Ruby Falls, Dukes Creek Falls and DeSoto Falls.

Which Georgia town has the most waterfalls nearby?

Mountain City has 53 named waterfalls within 30 miles, the most of any town in our Georgia directory.