One of my favorite things about living in Atlanta is how quickly you can go from city life to being completely surrounded by nature. You really don’t have to travel far to find hiking trails, mountain views, lakes, and some pretty impressive waterfalls. There are so many great waterfall hikes near Atlanta.
There are a few waterfall hikes right around metro Atlanta that are perfect when you only have a couple of hours, while some of Georgia’s most beautiful waterfalls are about one to two hours away and make for an easy day trip.
I’ve put together 12 of the best waterfall hikes near Atlanta to add to your list, from easy trails for your first hike, quick waterfalls close to Atlanta, to longer trails that give you a little more of a workout.
I’ve included the estimated drive from Atlanta, trail distance, difficulty, and what I think each hike is best for so you can figure out which one fits the adventure you’re looking for.
ALSO READ: If you’re looking for even more trails around the city, make sure you also check out my guide to the best hikes near Atlanta.
Quick Guide to the Best Waterfall Hikes Near Atlanta
| Waterfall | Approx. Drive From Atlanta | Hike Distance | Difficulty | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cascade Springs Nature Preserve | 15–20 min | Under 2 miles | Easy | Staying in the city |
| Vickery Creek | 30–35 min | Up to 3+ miles | Easy–Moderate | History + waterfall views |
| Cochran Mill Park | 35–45 min | 0.5+ miles | Easy–Moderate | Multiple trail options |
| High Falls State Park | About 1 hour | 0.5–1.5 miles | Easy–Strenuous | A quick day trip south |
| Amicalola Falls | About 1 hr 15 min | About 2 miles | Moderate–Strenuous | An iconic Georgia waterfall |
| DeSoto Falls | About 1.5 hours | About 2 miles | Easy–Moderate | Beginners |
| Dukes Creek Falls | About 1 hr 40 min | About 2 miles | Moderate | A Helen day trip |
| Raven Cliff Falls | About 1 hr 45 min | About 5 miles | Moderate | A longer hike |
| Anna Ruby Falls | About 1 hr 45 min | Under 1 mile | Easy–Moderate | Families + beginners |
| Tallulah Gorge | About 1 hr 45 min | About 2 miles | Difficult | A serious stair workout |
| Minnehaha Falls | About 2 hours | About 0.4 mile | Easy | Big payoff, short hike |
| Cloudland Canyon | About 2–2.25 hours | About 2 miles | Strenuous | Waterfalls + canyon views |
It’s really cool that you don’t have to drive all the way to the mountains to experience waterfall hikes near Atlanta. However, it’s important to note that drive times can vary quite a bit depending on where you’re starting in metro Atlanta and, of course, Atlanta traffic.
1. Cascade Springs Nature Preserve
Distance from Atlanta: Located in Atlanta
Hike Length: Under 2 miles depending on your route
Difficulty: Easy
Best For: A quick waterfall hike without leaving the city
You don’t even have to leave Atlanta to start chasing waterfalls. Cascade Springs Nature Preserve is in southwest Atlanta and is one of those places you could easily miss if you didn’t know it was there.
The preserve has wooded walking trails, a creek, historic ruins, and Cascade Falls, all within the city limits. The trails are relatively short, which makes this a good option if you want to get outside after work, squeeze in a morning walk, or enjoy some nature without committing most of your day to it.
Just keep your expectations realistic with this one. Cascade Falls isn’t going to look like one of the huge waterfalls you’ll find farther into the North Georgia mountains, but that isn’t really why I’d choose this trail. It’s really good because you can get a little waterfall and forest escape without even leaving Atlanta.
Best for: A quick outdoor break, beginner hikers, and anyone who doesn’t want a long drive.
2. Vickery Creek at Roswell Mill
Distance from Atlanta: About 30–35 minutes
Hike Length: Short walks or loops of 3+ miles
Difficulty: Easy–Moderate
Best For: Waterfall views, history, and a trail close to Atlanta
Vickery Creek is easily one of my favorite recommendations for one of the closest waterfall hikes near Atlanta. And it’s pretty well known too in the Atlanta hiking community.
Located around the historic Roswell Mill area, the trail has a little bit of everything: wooded paths, old mill ruins, a covered bridge, creek views, and the large historic mill dam that creates the waterfall.
One thing that makes Vickery Creek especially good for beginners is that you still get plenty to look at without having to drive into the mountains or tackle a difficult trail. Then, after the hike, you can head into downtown Roswell for lunch or dinner.
One important thing to know before visiting is that water access around Vickery Creek and the waterfall is currently restricted. You can enjoy the views from the trail and designated viewing areas rather than planning on getting into the water.
Best for: A convenient weekend hike, beginners, and anyone who likes trails with a little history mixed in.
3. Cochran Mill Park
Distance from Atlanta: About 35–45 minutes
Hike Length: From less than a mile to several miles
Difficulty: Easy–Moderate
Best For: Multiple waterfalls and customizable hiking routes
Cochran Mill Park is one of my favorite waterfall hikes near Atlanta when don’t feel like driving all the way into North Georgia. The park has a large network of trails, so you can really customize how much hiking you want to do.
If you mainly want to see Cochran Mill Falls, you don’t have to go very far from the trailhead. But if you want more of an adventure, you can continue through the park and explore additional trails, creeks, cascades, and Henry Mill Falls.
I especially like this one for newer hikers because it isn’t a super long route. There are also plenty of wooded sections, which makes this a nice option when you want to spend a few hours outside.
Best for: Beginners, groups with different hiking abilities, and anyone who wants several trail options in one park.
4. High Falls State Park
Distance from Atlanta: About 1 hour
Hike Length: Around 0.5–1.5 miles depending on the trail
Difficulty: Easy–Moderate
Best For: A large waterfall without heading north
When most people think about waterfall hikes from Atlanta, they immediately start looking toward North Georgia. But High Falls State Park is actually south of the city and makes a great day trip if you want something different.
The park sits along the Towaliga River, where the water moves over large rock formations and creates a long series of powerful cascades.
There are a few different ways to experience the falls depending on how much hiking you want to do. Some areas offer easier access and overlooks, while the Falls View Trail gives you more of a workout and gets you closer to the river. This is also a good choice if you want to make more of a day out of the trip since you’ll already be visiting a Georgia state park.
Best for: A waterfall day trip south of Atlanta and hikers who want both easy and more challenging trail options.
5. Amicalola Falls
Distance from Atlanta: About 1 hour 15 minutes
Hike Length: Around 2 miles for a longer loop
Difficulty: Moderate–Strenuous
Best For: Seeing one of Georgia’s most iconic waterfalls
If you live in Georgia and have never been to Amicalola Falls, put this one on your list. Of all the waterfall hikes near Atlanta on this list Amicalola Falls is impressive pretty much every time you visit. At 729 feet, it’s one of the tallest cascading waterfalls in the Southeast.
There are several ways to experience the waterfall, which is one of the things I like most about visiting. If you want the workout, you can take the trail and stairs alongside the falls. And when I say stairs, just know your legs are definitely going to feel them.
But you don’t have to takes the stairs to enjoy Amicalola Falls. There are also easier access points and viewpoints that allow you to see the falls without doing the entire hike.
Because of that, this can work well for groups where everyone may not have the same hiking ability. Amicalola is also surrounded by plenty of other outdoor activities, so it’s easy to turn this into an entire North Georgia day or weekend.
ALSO READ: I have a full Amicalola Falls hiking and camping guide if you want even more details before visiting.
Best for: First-time visitors to Georgia, waterfall lovers, and anyone looking for a hike that feels like a bigger adventure.
6. DeSoto Falls
Distance from Atlanta: About 1.5 hours
Hike Length: About 2 miles total
Difficulty: Easy–Moderate
Best For: Beginners looking for a North Georgia hike
DeSoto Falls is a good choice when you want a true North Georgia hiking experience without having to hike a difficult trail.
The hiking area follows Frogtown Creek and gives you the chance to see both the Upper and Lower DeSoto Falls.
This is also one I’d recommend if you’re slowly getting into hiking and want to graduate from very short trails into something that feels a little more adventurous without being overwhelming.
It has enough distance to feel like you actually went hiking, but it still leaves plenty of time to explore other places around North Georgia afterward.
Best for: Beginner hikers, relaxed North Georgia day trips, and anyone who wants two waterfalls on one outing.
7. Dukes Creek Falls
Distance from Atlanta: About 1 hour 40 minutes
Hike Length: About 2 miles round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Best For: A waterfall hike near Helen
If you’re spending the day around Helen, Dukes Creek Falls is one of the waterfall hikes I’d consider adding to your itinerary.
The trail gradually works its way downhill through the forest toward several viewing platforms where you can take in the falls and surrounding gorge.
The biggest thing to remember with this hike is… that what goes down has to come back up. The walk toward the waterfall can feel fairly easy because you’re descending, but you’ll have that uphill climb waiting for you on the way back.
It’s still very manageable for many hikers, and at around two miles round trip, it gives you enough of a hike without taking over your entire day. Afterward, you can pair it with lunch in Helen, another nearby trail, or even a winery depending on what kind of day you’re planning.
Best for: A Helen day trip, moderate hikers, and anyone who wants beautiful North Georgia scenery without a super-long trail.
8. Raven Cliff Falls
Distance from Atlanta: About 1 hour 45 minutes
Hike Length: About 5 miles round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Best For: Anyone who wants an actual hiking adventure
Raven Cliff Falls is one of the longer waterfall hikes near Atlanta, so you’ll definitely want to be properly prepared.
I love this trail so much because you’re beside the creek for the entire hike, and it’s so peaceful. You’ll pass smaller waterfalls and cascades along the way before reaching Raven Cliff Falls.
The waterfall itself is unique because the water flows through a split in a large rock formation, which makes it look completely different from many of the other waterfalls around Georgia.
Now the waterfall at the end might not be a grand, rushing flow of water, but the creek, forest, and smaller cascades along the way are part of what makes Raven Cliff such a good trail.
Give yourself a few hours, bring plenty of water, and plan on actually hiking rather than making this a quick stop.
Best for: Moderate hikers, longer hiking days, and people who enjoy the trail just as much as the destination.
9. Anna Ruby Falls
Distance from Atlanta: About 1 hour 45 minutes
Hike Length: Under 1 mile round trip
Difficulty: Easy–Moderate
Best For: Beginners and families
Anna Ruby Falls is one of the easiest ways to see an impressive waterfall in North Georgia.
The paved trail follows Smith Creek uphill before reaching the viewing platforms for the twin waterfalls, which are created where Curtis Creek and York Creek come together.
Even though the trail is paved, there is still an incline, so don’t mistake “paved” for “completely flat.” The good thing is that the trail is short, and there are places to stop along the way if you need a break.
Anna Ruby Falls is a great option for beginner hikers, families, or groups where not everyone wants to do a long or technical trail.
It’s also very close to Helen, so I definitely wouldn’t make the drive from Atlanta just for the waterfall and immediately head home. There’s plenty of fun things to do in Helen, you could squeeze in another nearby hike, or just take a scenic North Georgia drive.
Best for: First-time hikers, families, short adventures, and a day around Helen.
10. Tallulah Gorge and Hurricane Falls
Distance from Atlanta: About 1 hour 45 minutes
Hike Length: Around 2 miles depending on route
Difficulty: Difficult
Best For: Waterfall views and a major stair workout
Tallulah Gorge is one of the most dramatic landscapes you can visit within a couple of hours of Atlanta. The gorge reaches close to 1,000 feet deep in some areas, with the Tallulah River and several waterfalls running through the bottom.
If you’re down for the full workout, the Hurricane Falls trail takes you down hundreds of stairs and across the suspension bridge for some of the park’s best views.
And yes, eventually you have to climb all of those stairs back up.
If you aren’t looking for a stair master type of adventure, you can still enjoy Tallulah Gorge. There are rim trails and overlooks that give you beautiful views without requiring you to descend into the gorge.
Trail access can also change depending on weather, water releases, and other park conditions, so this is one hike where I’d always check current park information before heading out.
Best for: Experienced hikers, photographers, and anyone who wants a hike that feels like a real challenge.
ALSO: Tallulah Gorge is well known for its Sliding Rock Trail that is only available to the first 100 people to get a permit at the Welcome Center everyday. This hike is definitely recommended for more experienced hikers, as you’ll have to cross the creek and hike over uneven terrain that requires proper gear and experience.
11. Minnehaha Falls
Distance from Atlanta: About 2 hours
Hike Length: About 0.4 mile
Difficulty: Easy
Best For: Maximum waterfall with minimum hiking
Minnehaha Falls is one of the easiest waterfall hikes in Georgia, and you are still rewarded with an exceptional waterfall.
The trail is only around 0.4 mile round trip, and at the end you’ll find a beautiful waterfall cascading down several layers of rock.
Because the hike is so short, this one works really well for beginners or anyone who wants waterfall views without doing several miles.
The only downside? It’s around two hours from Atlanta, so I personally wouldn’t recommend driving all the way there, hiking for a few minutes, and turning right back around.
Instead, use Minnehaha as one stop on a North Georgia day trip. Angel Falls, Tallulah Gorge, Lake Rabun, and other outdoor attractions are nearby, so there are plenty of ways to fill out your day.
Best for: Beginners, short hikes, photographers, and anyone planning a full day around the Lake Rabun area.
12. Cherokee Falls and Hemlock Falls at Cloudland Canyon
Distance from Atlanta: About 2–2.25 hours
Hike Length: About 2 miles
Difficulty: Strenuous
Best For: Two waterfalls and some of Georgia’s best canyon scenery
Cloudland Canyon is definitely stretching the definition of “near Atlanta,” but I’m including it because it is absolutely doable as a day trip and one of the most beautiful state parks in Georgia.
The Waterfalls Trail takes you down into the canyon to see both Cherokee Falls and Hemlock Falls.
The trail itself isn’t extremely long, but you’ll climb hundreds of stairs on the way back out of the canyon. So this hike can feel much harder than a two-mile trail normally would.
The payoff is getting two waterfalls plus the incredible canyon scenery Cloudland Canyon is known for. Waterfall flow can also change throughout the year, so conditions may look very different depending on when you visit. I recommend going during a rainy season, or during the winter/early spring months.
If you’re making the two-hour drive from Atlanta, give yourself time to explore more of the park, or consider heading into Chattanooga after, instead of only doing the waterfall trail. I have you covered if you need things to do in Chattanooga!
Best for: A full hiking day, waterfall lovers, and anyone who doesn’t mind stairs.
Best Time to Visit Waterfalls Near Atlanta
You can hike to waterfalls in Georgia throughout the year, but the experience changes depending on the season.
Late Winter and Spring
Late winter through spring is one of my favorite times for waterfall hikes because rainfall usually means stronger water flow.
Temperatures are also cooler, which makes trails with stairs or elevation changes much more comfortable.
Summer
Summer is still a great time to hike, but Georgia heat and humidity are no joke.
Start early, bring more water than you think you’ll need, and check the weather before heading out.
Also, don’t assume you can swim just because you’re hiking around a waterfall. Swimming and water-access rules vary by park and trail.
Fall
Fall is easily one of the prettiest times to explore Georgia.
Water flow may not always be as strong as spring, but the cooler temperatures and changing leaves can completely transform some of these hikes.
If you’re visiting a popular North Georgia trail during peak fall color, arrive early. Parking can fill quickly on weekends.
What to Bring on a Waterfall Hike
Even for a short waterfall hike, there are a few things I always recommend bringing.
Hiking Shoes With Good Traction
Waterfall trails can get wet and slippery, especially around rocks, roots, stairs, and creek crossings.
Shoes with solid traction make a huge difference.
Plenty of Water
Georgia heat and humidity can make even a relatively easy hike feel much harder.
A Small Daypack
I like having a small backpack so I can carry water, snacks, sunscreen, and anything else I might need without having to hold everything.
Sunscreen and Bug Spray
Even shaded trails can leave you exposed in certain sections, and mosquitoes definitely don’t take the summer off in Georgia.
Snacks
For the longer waterfall hikes, I always recommend packing at least a small snack.
Rain Jacket
Georgia weather can change quickly, especially during warmer months.
A lightweight rain jacket barely takes up any space and can save the day.
Portable Charger
Between using your phone for photos, navigation, and trail maps, your battery can disappear faster than expected.
ALSO READ: What to pack when hiking
Waterfall Hikes Near Atlanta FAQ
Do I need to pay for parking at these waterfall hikes?
Some of them do require a parking or entrance fee, especially Georgia State Parks and certain recreation areas. I always recommend checking the official park or trail website before you leave since fees can change and some locations may require a specific parking pass.
Are dogs allowed on waterfall trails near Atlanta?
Many of these trails allow dogs, but leash rules and restrictions vary by location. If you’re bringing your dog, check the current park rules beforehand and keep in mind that trails with lots of stairs, slippery rocks, or steep sections may not be the best fit for every dog.
Do I need cell service to hike these trails?
I wouldn’t count on having reliable service once you get into North Georgia. Download your trail map or directions before leaving Atlanta, especially for places like Raven Cliff Falls, Minnehaha Falls, and Cloudland Canyon where service can be spotty.
