Hidden Treasures #6: Georgia
Raven Cliff Falls
Chattahoochee National Forest
(770) 297-3000
Chattahoochee National Forest in Helen, Ga. shelters a lush forest, moss-lined trout stream and a beautiful waterfall for those willing to find it.
Raven Cliff Falls. Photo courtesy of Atlanta Trails/ atlantatrails.com
The Raven Cliff Falls Trail is a moderate, out-and-back hike that is great for families and dogs. The trail, which is 2.5 miles each way, begins at the parking area and follows Dodd Creek upstream through the Raven Cliff Wilderness. Two miles in, the sound of rushing water is evident as the falls become visible through angled, 40-foot-tall granite cliffs.
Free camping is available along the trail on a first-come first-serve basis, with some stream-side campsites located close to the parking area and several backpacking sites scattered along the creek’s banks. As they are user-created, not all campsites follow the Leave No Trace Principle of camping more than 200 feet away from water.
The 150-foot Dukes Creek Falls is located nearby. Its parking lot — which costs $4 per day — also offers incredible views of the rocky summit of Yonah Mountain. Less than one mile into the trail, there is a wheelchair-accessible viewing platform. The falls can be reached through a moderate, two-mile out-and-back trail. — H.G.
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