North Georgia has over 100 waterfalls, and a good chunk of them are within 25 miles of Dahlonega. These are the ones on public land that you can actually get to. A heads up: mountain roads make everything take longer than the map suggests, and water levels make a real difference in what you see when you get there.
Cane Creek Falls
Cane Creek Falls is 2.9 miles from Dahlonega Square and is located on private property at Camp Glisson, but is open to the public only when the camp is not in session. At the entrance gate, there are signs that tell the public when it is closed.
Cane Creek Falls eventually falls in to the Chestatee River, which provides a good outing for kayaking, tubing or canoeing. This waterfall has a viewing platform at the top.
Clay Creek Falls
Clay Creek Falls is located on private property 2.9 miles away, but is viewable from the road.
There is not a place to park to observe the falls on foot, but it is very close to the road and well worth a drive by to see it, especially when the water is at higher levels.
Black Falls
Black Falls sits inside Camp Frank D. Merrill, an active Army Ranger training facility. It’s one of the taller falls in this guide, but access depends on the day. If the gate is open, you can go in and take a look. If it’s not: don’t sneak onto the property. A wooden gate across the creek makes for a good photo if you do get in.
Montgomery Creek Falls
Montgomery Creek Falls is an isolated fall located in the Chattahoochee National Forest. There are mountain bike trails nearby, so be on the lookout. It is about half a mile to get there on an old logging road. It is just over 11 miles from Dahlonega.
Dicks Creek Falls
16 miles from Dahlonega Square, Dicks Creek Falls is really a couple of waterfalls located on Dicks Creek in the Chattahoochee National Forest.
It is is a very popular swimming hole for the locals and also provides a photo opportunity while taking a break. The hike is almost 1.25 miles round trip.
DeSoto Falls
18 miles from Dahlonega, DeSoto Falls consists of an upper falls and lower falls. The upper falls is a .75 mile hike up the creek with the lower falls .25 mile downstream. The total drop of all the falls is 480 feet.
Camping is also available and there is a restroom.
Long Creek Falls
At 50 feet tall, Long Creek Falls is another waterfall with a large pool at the bottom that is used as a swimming hole. The trail to Long Creek Falls is almost 2 miles round trip on the Appalachian Trail and Benton MacKaye Trail offers a scenic view.
Helton Creek Falls
Helton Creek Falls has one of the most spectacular falls and is 25 miles from Dahlonega and is also close to Blairsville, GA. Like many others, it is a double waterfall. Helton Creek Falls has an observation deck between the upper and lower falls.
The trail itself is less than a quarter of a mile to get there. Unfortunately as of May 2022, this trail is closed due to needed repairs.
Dukes Creek Falls
From the parking lot the 1.25 mile trail goes town to observation deck at the foot of the 150 foot waterfall. There is an observation deck that is wheelchair accessible and has parking available for 30 vehicles. It is about 24 miles from Dahlonega.
This area has a stunning view of Mt. Yonah, which is a popular mountain for hiking and climbing. Sometimes the Army Rangers can be seen here during their training.
Raven Cliff Falls
Raven Cliff Falls is one of the most popular hikes in the area. It’s in the Chattahoochee National Forest but is not on the Appalachian Trail. The trail to the falls is 2.5 miles one way from the parking lot. Raven Cliff Falls is a triple fall totaling 100 feet. The trail does have water crossings.
It is about 25 miles from Dahlonega, GA, but is well worth the drive for a longer hike. Other cities nearby are Helen, GA and Blairsville, GA.
Amicalola Falls, GA
Amicalola Falls is the highest waterfall east of the Mississippi River at 729 feet high and is roughly 19 miles from Dahlonega. There is an entrance fee and the Appalachian trail starts here.
You can park at the bottom for a view up the falls or you can drive to the top of the falls to get a good view of the park. There is a new viewing deck that can be reached by driving to the middle of the falls. Along the falls, there is a metal staircase that goes from the bottom to the top of the falls. Many also choose to hike from the bottom as well.
Out of these waterfalls, I have only been to one, but many times – Amicalola Falls. If you choose to take the stairs, do know that there are many stairs. 604stairs to be exact. If you bring your dog, be aware that they are metal. If I would take mine, I would make sure to bring his shoes.
This is another weekday outing, the day after Stone Mountain. This kayak trip was planned a few weeks ago, but canceled because of storms that evening.
At the start there was a small storm that passed over us. We waited it out and it prevented us going up one of the creeks that feed into Lake Acworth.
On the other side of the tunnel, it seems like a different place. At the end, it was alive with wildlife. A fellow kayaker that was in the front of the group said there were a few deer that scurried away when they were spotted.
Sometimes it’s good to go during the week instead of waiting till the weekend.
I got invited to Stone Mountain yesterday after work. I met up with everybody and I was actually on time this time, go me. Before I went I was undecided if I wanted to take Sam with me or not. I ended up taking him with me. He was such a sport the entire way up.
Before I went, I got an annual pass online. I’ll have to make it a point to go kayaking there. I went with my HOE Adventure Group. HOE stands for Happiness Over Everything and not the ho ho.
I was a member for a while, but this was my first event with them. I don’t consider the trip Kayaking to Florida the first, even though it technically was, as it was a collab event between 2 groups.
When I pulled into my parking space, I knew exactly where we would meet because there’s a big group of about 20 at the time when I pulled up. I think there were about 30 to 35 of us that went so it made it easy to spot the group.
Stormy started the group and also created the event. At her events, she does a friendship ring where everyone introduces themselves. I like the concept but it took quite a while with so many people.
On the trail up, someone suggested taking the service road up instead of the regular trail. It was much nicer on my knees, otherwise you’re stepping over rocks and bouldering a lot.
I haven’t been here in years, probably more than a decade.
It wasn’t really challenging this time around. Well one because of the service road and two Sam was not having the heat but we trekked it up to the top, one step at a time.
Of course the the dreaded top.
This is my initial thought and face on it, but it’s right at the end.
Either way, one foot in front of the other and your there.
I’m glad I did go. I’ve been wanting to get more involved in summer hiking which I typically just do when it’s cooler. I consider this one of the first ones since it was in the mid 90s today and I also wanted to see a sunset from Stone Mountain. Going to the three granite rock mountains is on my list of things that I wanted to do, Stone Mountain, Arabia Mountain and Panola Mountain.
We were wanting to see the strawberry moon when it came up but it was just too cloudy. But we did manage to see some fireworks. It wasn’t a show at all, I think they’re just doing some practice rounds. I know one thing it was sure as hell easier going down then was going back up.
I’ll upload some pics when my phone dries. It’s almost dead and I can’t charge it, since it got a little wet when I went kayaking today.
So that was the impromptu weekday fun adventures and tomorrow is or actually later today is my kayaking trip. A kayak jaunt really to Lake Acworth. It was supposed to be a few weeks ago but it was canceled due to weather. This one I’m definitely taking Sam on, and I did.
This kayaking trip was much better organized than the trip to Florida. There were about 43 or so yess’s on going. Not everyone showed up but it was still a good size crew. We were out on the lake for a little bit, but some clouds and lightning came through. We pulled back and waited it out before heading out again. It was very peaceful.
We launched our kayaks at Appalachian Outfitters in Dahlonega, GA for a six mile section of the river. I have a sit-on kayak and Chuck has a sit-in kayak. (He had gone a few weekends before me with some other friends. Even earlier we made a weekend trip to the Blue Springs in Marianna, Florida.) There were a few on paddle boards and other kayakers that were there to fish.
Our trip on the water was about a 2 1/2 hour trip. The waters weren’t bad and it’s a good one for beginner kayakers. Just like anywhere else, you can tip over but the water is not deep as you can stand in most places.
Big Bend Beach is roughly at the halfway point and is a good spot to grab a bite. We didn’t stop, but there were some fellow river rats sunning and having lunch. Towards the end are the three rapids, YeeHaw, Bass in the Boat, and Last But Not Least.
The takeout is after the last rapids on the left. There’s a concrete area with steps to take yourself and gear back to your vehicle or shuttle if you used an outfitter.
Canoe, Kayak and Tubing Trips Down the Chestatee River near Dahlonega
The Chestatee River is about a 2 hour drive from Atlanta, GA and having an enjoyable time can be a good day trip or a weekend getaway in the mountains of North Georgia.
There are several outfitters that you can use to go down the Chestatee River. But you don’t have to use these outfitters if you have your own.
Chestatee River Adventures
The Chestatee River Adventures offers single and tandem kayak rentals and tube trips for rent. You can make your reservation online on their website, www.chestateeriveradventures.com
Appalachian Outfitters
Appalachian Outfitters is located nearby and they have tube, kayak, and canoe rentals for your river adventure. Book online with them at www.canoegeorgia.com.
The Chestatee is a solid day trip or weekend getaway from Atlanta. Easy enough for beginners, scenic, and worth the drive.
First weekend of May, also the weekend of Mother’s Day, I ventured to Blue Springs in Marianna, Florida with some other kayakers. I did not take my dog, Sam with me this time.
I did however took my mom on an adventure for the weekend.
In all of her worldly travels out camping with her international troop, this is something that she had never done before. My mom doesn’t even know how to swim, but after a bit of convincing she was ready to come along.
As you can see, someone had a great time relaxing on the water.
Cathy Gray is a digital marketing and eCommerce professional based in Metro Atlanta, GA. Outside of work she's chasing waterfalls, kayaking rivers, and finding places to camp to see the stars. Her dog Sam is officially retired from the adventures but still supervises from the couch or campsite. None of it happens without coffee in the morning.
