Take This Unforgettable Road Trip To Experience Some Of Georgia’s Most Impressive Caves And Waterfalls
If you’re itching to get out of the house and spend some time in the great outdoors, then we have a weekend of fun planned for you. Some of the best caves and waterfalls near me in Georgia can be tackled together in one single road trip. Are you ready to see some of the best Georgia has to offer in terms of Mother Nature? If so, then start your engines.
Note: While Georgia has more than 500 different caves throughout the state, only a handful are allowed to be explored. Additionally, it’s always best to take necessary precautions when exploring cave systems in Georgia, especially when it comes to bringing the proper equipment and using professional guides.
The total drive time to explore these caves and waterfalls in Georgia takes less than seven hours to complete. Because of this, it might be worth it to stretch the trip into a few days so you'll have time to stop and enjoy each place. You can view the
Google map to get the feel for every stop.
Helton Creek Falls is the first stop along this road trip if you're following it as is, and boy is it a doozy. This stunning waterfall is a real gem and the hike to get to the falls is well worth the trek. Bring your camera for this one, and quite possibly also your swimsuit if you want to take a dip in the swimming hole, too.
2. Amicalola Falls - Dawsonville, Georgia
418 Amicalola Falls State Park Rd, Dawsonville, GA 30534, USA
Amicalola Falls is one of the most coveted waterfalls in the state of Georgia. It’s hard to have a waterfall road trip and not include this beauty. Spend the afternoon hiking through the magnificent terrain and enjoy one of the biggest waterfalls this side of the Mississippi.
3. High Shoals Falls - Dallas, Georgia
High Shoals Falls, 2184 High Shoals Rd, Dallas, GA 30132, USA
There are more than one High Shoals Falls in Georgia and the one on this road trip is located further south in Dallas. Visit here after a rainfall if you’d really like to see something special. Plus, there is a small alcove next to this waterfall, and while it might not be an actual cave, it is the perfect segue into our next stop.
Cave Spring, Georgia is home to a cave in Rolater Park that visitors can tour freely. Enjoy the 57-degree cave on a special cave tour, then enjoy walking around the nearby spring-fed lake, which pumps out two million gallons of water a day. The cave hosts tours often, so make sure you call ahead to reserve your spot.
5. Crockford-Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Area - LaFayette, Georgia
Crockford-Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Management Area, 3440 Chamberlain Rd, LaFayette, GA 30728, USA
The Crockford-Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Area features a ton of beautiful scenery and slices of nature. While there are quite a few caves in the area that require a permit to visit (Ulla Cave, Pettyjohn’s Cave), you can still wander through the different hiking trails and see some of the smaller outcroppings and alcoves. Even a few waterfalls, too! We recommend hiking The Pocket Trail, which is less than one mile and perfect for all skill levels.
6. Cloudland Canyon - Rising Fawn, Georgia
122 Cloudland Canyon Park Rd, Rising Fawn, GA 30738, USA
Georgia's Cloudland Canyon is the perfect place to wind down this road trip, not just because of the epic waterfalls in the area, but also because of the caves. You’ll get a two-for-one deal here. Visitors were once able to actually explore the caves within this park through a professionally guided tour, which has since shuttered. Yet, we can only hope that in the near future, both Sitton’s Gulch and Case Cave will have tours again.
Keown Falls is likely one of the lesser-known waterfalls in the area, but it’s still a gem to visit. If you can wait to check it out after a rainfall, then you’ll get a better show than usual. The hike to Keown Falls highlights pockets of natural beauty in Georgia, and then the finish at the end is surely a sight to see.
Have you ever been to any of these caves and waterfalls in Georgia before? If so, please share with us your experience(s) in the comments below. If there are any other caves or waterfalls in Georgia you think we should write about next, please let us know.
Address: Helton Creek Falls, Georgia 30512, USA
Address: 418 Amicalola Falls State Park Rd, Dawsonville, GA 30534, USA
Address: High Shoals Falls, 2184 High Shoals Rd, Dallas, GA 30132, USA
Address: Keown Falls, Georgia 30728, USA
Address: Cave Spring, GA 30124, USA
Address: Crockford-Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Management Area, 3440 Chamberlain Rd, LaFayette, GA 30728, USA
Address: 122 Cloudland Canyon Park Rd, Rising Fawn, GA 30738, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
waterfalls near me
March 25, 2022
Jennifer Young
What are three of the shortest hiking trails with waterfalls in Georgia?
Who doesn’t love waterfalls? The South is filled with many beautiful waterfalls just waiting to be discovered.The three trails listed below are some of the best waterfall hikes in Georgia. They’re also some of the state’s shortest trails. You’ll want to lace up your boots and explore them all.
1. Anna Ruby Falls Trail
Located within the Tray Mountain Wilderness is Georgia’s Anna Ruby Falls Trail. This 0.9-mile, out-and-back trail features one of the state’s most beautiful waterfalls. It’s also perfect for exploring at any time of the year. Georgia’s Anna Ruby Falls Trail also has an easy rating of difficulty, so it’s great for all skill levels.
2. Minnehaha Falls Trail
Georgia’s Minnehaha Falls Trail is located near Tallulah Falls. It’s a 0.4-mile, out-and-back trail with an easy rating of difficulty. The best time to hike this short and beautiful waterfall trail, which is mostly used for hiking and walking, is from February through November.
3. Toccoa Falls Trail
Located near Toccoa Falls, Georgia is the Toccoa Falls Trail, a 0.4-mile, out-and-back trail with an easy rating of difficulty. Like the Minnehaha Falls Trail, most people also use the Toccoa Falls Trail for hiking and walking.
What’s the tallest waterfall in Georgia that belongs on everyone’s outdoor bucket list?
There are many waterfalls located throughout the state of Georgia. The tallest one, which belongs on everyone’s outdoor bucket list, is Amicalola Falls near Dawsonville. Amicalola Falls in Georgia has multiple tiers and an overall drop of more than 730 feet from a cliff in the beautiful Chattahoochee National Forest. If you love waterfalls, don’t forget to visit Amicalola Falls the next time you’re in the Dawsonville area.
Address: Helton Creek Falls, Georgia 30512, USA
Address: 418 Amicalola Falls State Park Rd, Dawsonville, GA 30534, USA
Address: High Shoals Falls, 2184 High Shoals Rd, Dallas, GA 30132, USA
Address: Keown Falls, Georgia 30728, USA
Address: Cave Spring, GA 30124, USA
Address: Crockford-Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Management Area, 3440 Chamberlain Rd, LaFayette, GA 30728, USA
Address: 122 Cloudland Canyon Park Rd, Rising Fawn, GA 30738, USA
A New Jersey native with over 15 years of writing experience, Marisa has studied at both New York University and Florida International University. She has lived all over the country, including a decade stint in South Florida. Marisa is well-versed in exploration as she travels a good majority of the year in her self-converted Sprinter van. Her articles have been featured in various notable publications over the years, she has a published collection of short stories, and three completed screenplays under her belt.
