9+ Georgia State Parks With Waterfalls Begging You To Visit

Georgia State Parks offer many wonders, like canyons, beaches and mountain views, but our hearts and souls still seek out waterfalls whenever possible. Below are 9 Georgia State Parks with waterfalls, plus three more worth noting due to their proximity to waterfalls. Let us know if you run across any others!

You’re sure to want to take a trip across Georgia to find these beauties.

GEORGIA STATE PARKS WITH WATERFALLS

AMICALOLA FALLS STATE PARK

One of the most popular waterfalls in Georgia, Amicalola Falls is the third-tallest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi. A visit to this state park to see the falls is a must! There are a few different ways to check out these impressive falls.

Park at the lot in the middle of the falls for a short kid-friendly walk to the bridge overlooking the falls. Kiddos about 5 years old and older can make the hike down from there, along the falls, but will likely have a difficult time hiking the stairs up from the middle until they are older.

You can also park at the bottom of the falls and hike your way up, or you can park your car at the top and enjoy the magnificent views from above.

A nature lover’s wonderland, the park is only 8 miles from the Appalachian Trail and within the Chattahoochee National Forest.

TALLULAH GORGE STATE PARK

Tallulah Gorge is beautiful. Located in Rabun County, it’s one of the most spectacular canyons in the eastern U.S. Tallulah Gorge is two miles long and nearly 1,000 feet deep. A suspension bridge sways 80 feet above the rocky bottom, providing spectacular views of the river and waterfalls. Tightrope walkers have twice crossed the gorge, and visitors can still see towers used by Karl Wallenda.

I hiked to the floor many years ago, but my minions are not ready for that yet. No worries! The rim hikes provide excellent views of the myriad falls, and they are easy on little legs. A paved path follows an old railroad bed, perfect for strollers and bicycles, while mountain bikers can test their skills on a challenging 10-mile trail.

HIGH FALLS STATE PARK

Travel the trail along the falls for spectacular views and peaceful rumbling sounds.  High Falls State Park is also a popular yurt camping option, and is only about 20 minutes from Indian Springs State Park and close to Macon, GA.

This is a popular outdoor destination during the warmer months. Loved for its beautiful lake, a board spillway dam, and a multi-tiered waterfall, the Towaliga River flows and rolls through the park before free-falling over massive rocks and boulders.

CLOUDLAND CANYON STATE PARK

Located on the western edge of Lookout Mountain, Cloudland Canyon State Park is one of the largest and most scenic parks in the state. Home to thousand-foot-deep canyons, sandstone cliffs, wild caves, waterfalls, cascading creeks, dense woodland, and abundant wildlife, the park offers ample outdoor recreation.

You’ll discover two beautiful views of waterfalls along the trails here: Cherokee Falls and Hemlock Falls.

Hiking and mountain biking trails abound. The most popular hiking paths include the short Overlook Trail, strenuous Waterfalls Trail (which is how you’ll see the waterfalls), and the moderate West Rim Loop Trail.

The hike to see the waterfalls on the Waterfalls Trail is only 2 miles round trip, but it is strenuous and includes 600 metal stair steps, so make sure you’re prepared.

BLACK ROCK MOUNTAIN STATE PARK

Black Rock Mountain State Park, Georgia’s highest state park in the North Georgia Mountains, encompasses some of the most outstanding scenery in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Roadside overlooks provide spectacular 80-mile vistas, and four hiking trails lead visitors past wildflowers, streams, small waterfalls, and lush forests.

This would be a beautiful spot for a family reunion, since it has trails of varying skill levels.

The easiest waterfall to view at Black Rock is Ada Hi. It is a short 1/4 mile hike, though it is steep. This waterfall is best viewed after a rain. You’ll also find a waterfall along the difficult 6-mile Edmunds Backcountry Trail.

VOGEL STATE PARK

One of Georgia’s oldest and most beloved state parks, Vogel State Park is located at the base of Blood Mountain in the Chattahoochee National Forest.

The waterfall at Vogel is man-made, but nevertheless, it’s a pretty site. Hike to the back of the lake for a short off-shoot trail to the falls. If you continue the hike along the stream for a bout 1/4 mile, there is a spot that you and the kids can enter the stream for some fun and safe water play.

Hikers can choose from a variety of trails, including the popular 4-mile Bear Hair Gap loop, an easy lake loop that leads to Trahlyta Falls, and the challenging 13-mile Coosa Backcountry Trail.

Bonus: Only 2 miles north of Vogel is Helton Creek Falls, one of our favorite places to spend a summer day.

JAMES H. (SLOPPY) FLOYD STATE PARK

Surrounded by rural countryside and the Chattahoochee National Forest, James H. “Sloppy” Floyd State Park in northwest Georgia offers fishing on two stocked lakes.

Explore the Marble Mine Trail, which ends at a water pool (though, you can’t swim here) with a trickling waterfall. It’s best viewed after rain. After hiking to the marble mine and exploring the lake loop trails, visitors can relax in swings while watching for bluebirds.

WATSON MILL BRIDGE STATE PARK

One of the most picturesque state parks in Georgia, Watson Mill Bridge contains the longest covered bridge in the state, spanning 229 feet across the South Fork River.

OK – Maybe I’m cheating here a bit. This is a man-made cascade coming off the dam at Watson Mill. But with the covered bridge and gorgeous lake, this is a can’t-miss stop. During summer, visitors often play in the cool river shoals just below the bridge.

SWEETWATER CREEK STATE PARK

This peaceful tract of wilderness is only minutes from downtown Atlanta. At Sweetwater Creek State Park, a wooded trail follows the stream to the ruins of the New Manchester Manufacturing Company, a textile mill burned during the Civil War.

Beyond the mill, the trail climbs rocky bluffs to provide views of the beautiful rapids below. A series of cascades run the length of Sweetwater Creek, on both the easy Red Trail and the more challenging White Trail.

GA STATE PARKS CLOSE TO WATERFALLS WORTH MENTIONING

ANNA RUBY FALLS NEAR UNICOI STATE PARK

Just outside the entrance of Unicoi State Park, you’ll find the road to Anna Ruby Falls. A short paved trail leads to the marriage of two creeks and a spectacular waterfall.

These beautiful falls are located in the Chattahoochee National Forest, and are readily accessible for the price a few dollars and a little bit of hiking. The water cascading over the drop offs is created by two creeks — the Curtis Creek falls drop 153 feet, and the York Creek falls are a much shorter but still spectacular 50 feet.

The water at the bottom of the falls is then considered to be part of Smith Creek which flows into and forms Smith Lake – the centerpiece of Unicoi State Park.

DUKES CREEK FALLS NEAR SMITHGALL WOODS STATE PARK

Just around the corner from Smithgall Woods State Park you’ll find several waterfalls and hikes. Dukes Creek Falls is our favorite! We love Dukes Creek for two reasons.

1. It’s an easy 1-mile walk to the gorgeous falls.

2. You can take a different approach trail to the falls from within the park if you are staying in one of their breathtaking cabins.

Raven Cliff Falls is nearby, and also worth a visit!

HEMLOCK FALLS NEAR MOCCASIN CREEK STATE PARK

Only a few hundred yards down the road from Moccasin Creek State Park you’ll find the road to Hemlock Falls Trail, with stunning cascades at the end of the 1-mile hike. (It’s 2 miles round-trip.)

The waterfalls here are really beautiful, and the hike is fun for both adults and kids alike.

MORE INFORMATION FOR YOUR GEORGIA STATE PARKS TRIP

• YOUR GEORGIA VACATION
• GEORGIA STATE PARKS CAMPING: 52+ Essential Things To Know
• GEORGIA STATE PARKS IN THE FALL: 13 Best Georgia State Parks for Gorgeous Fall Leaf Color
• GEOCACHING IN GEORGIA: Your Ultimate Guide To This Fun Outdoor Adventure
• WATERFALLS IN GEORGIA: 33+ Best Waterfalls in Georgia That You’ve Just Got To See