My Soul-Stirring Visit To One Of The Most Beautiful Waterfalls In Georgia

It's not every day that you get to witness a 186-foot waterfall. So, when I discovered that Toccoa Falls was within an hour of my parents' home, I immediately jumped at my chance to witness it. This gorgeous waterfall in Georgia is nestled on the campus of Toccoa Falls College in the delightful town of Toccoa. To be honest, it’s an odd place for such a monumental gem, but that adds to its uniqueness. Not only is this waterfall a spectacular natural wonder, but it also has a tragic tale connected to it. I literally fell in love with this breathtaking Georgia waterfall, but my journey to witness the falls ripped my soul apart. Read on to discover more about what happened at Toccoa Falls, one of nature’s stunning creations.

39...that's the number of people who died on November 6, 1977, when the dam above Toccoa Falls failed, sending millions of gallons of water rushing through the campus of Toccoa Falls College.

Kelly Barnes Dam broke in the wee hours of the morning which meant the folks on campus had very little time to escape the wall of water that came rushing in.

Prior to the dam failing, it had been raining for several days, but the campus was given an all-clear after the water levels at the dam was inspected. Nobody anticipated that part of the dam would give way that morning.

Dam Break in Georgia: Sadness and Joy at Toccoa Falls, a book that was written by Eric L. Mills and K. Neill Foster, tells the full story of that tragic November morning.

Though the campus suffered this terrible catastrophe, the falls are one of the most beautiful I've ever seen.

At 186 feet tall, you can't help but marvel at all its glory. It’s the tallest free-falling waterfall east of the Mississippi, and while it’s on private property, for a small fee, the public can access it.

From the gift shop, it was an easy stroll along a gravel path to the waterfall. While you trek, you’ll appreciate the surrounding natural beauty.

The rocky Toccoa Creek will be on your right and to your left, a pretty hillside lined with rocks as well as lush greenery.

After about 5 minutes of walking, you’ll be greeted by Toccoa Falls. Of course, have your phone handy to take some pics. Trust me, you're going to want to.

Pack a lunch and perch on one of the rocks near the base of the waterfall. Or dip your feet inside the creek.

Each year, the waterfall is visited by thousands of folks, so it’s likely you’ll see lots of people around. But have no worries, there is plenty of room to explore, you can even view the cascade from different spots.

While the area is quite pretty and you could easily spend hours here, don't skip over the quaint memorial site that's at the mouth of the falls.

It has the names of all the victims who lost their lives as well as a sign with the story of what happened.

Looking at the names was gut-wrenching, as I noticed that entire families were impacted.

For such an incredibly beautiful destination, it broke my soul knowing that so many suffered at the very site I was standing on.

I would encourage you to visit Toccoa Falls because it truly is a breathtaking cascade. Make sure to stop by the memorial to learn more about the souls that were lost on that tragic November morning.

Also, check out Toccoa Falls College, there are some pretty spots tucked inside the campus. You should explore the charming town of Toccoa, too.

Here's a video of Toccoa Falls, but honestly, it does it no justice. You'll want to see this incredible natural wonder for yourself.

https://youtu.be/tX40-NZjYp8?si=yuhR-g1zKp82TRhV

Have you ever been to this gorgeous waterfall in Georgia? Did you know the story about the tragedy that took place at Toccoa Falls? If so, please share the memories you might have with us.

And if chasing waterfalls is your thing, you'll want to add these incredible waterfalls in Georgia to your list.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/georgia/best-georgia-waterfalls/