Waterfall Guide to Helen, Cleveland and White County in the North Georgia Mountains

Waterfalls in and around Helen, Cleveland and White County in the North Georgia Mountains, beautiful, peaceful and most within all within a casual walk, some you can even see from the road. All are worth a trip and a photograph.

Check back often as we will be adding new waterfalls as we collect the information and photographs.

Anna Ruby Falls

Anna Ruby Falls Two bangs for the buck here with no additional footwear applied. At the convergence of two creeks on the slopes of Tray Mountain are a twin set of waterfalls. Side by side and on slight angles you'll find the Curtis Creek Falls dropping 153 ft. and the York Creek Falls Anna Ruby Creek dropping 50 ft. and forming what is known as Anna Ruby Falls. A paved trail leads .4 mile. to the base of the falls. It's a relatively steep paved trail, but there are benches for resting along the way, a sight worthy of the journey.

Directions: Go north from Helen on Ga. 75 for 1 mile. and turn right on Ga. 356 for 1.5 mile. Take a left at the entrance to the falls, this is a fee area with amenities such as bathrooms, visitor center, gift shop and a nature trail for the blind.

DeSoto Falls

Desoto Falls, in the North Georgia Mountains
Legend tells of piece Spanish armor found near the falls that possibly belonged to explorer Fernando DeSoto or one of his men, during their hunt for gold. DeSoto Falls consist of five waterfalls located within a 650-acre recreation area. Three of the five waterfalls are along hiking trails that are maintained for easy access. The lower falls cascade about 20 feet. The middle falls drop 80 feet and is considered to be the most scenic. The upper falls drop 200 feet down a granite rock incline.

Directions: Take U.S. 129 north from Cleveland, 15 miles till you reach DeSoto Falls Recreation Area.

Dukes Creek Falls

Dukes Creeks Trail .8 mile. winds along the Dukes Creek Gorge, ending just across from the 300 ft. Dukes Creek falls. There's and observation deck at the top of the gorge, looking across the gorge and at the falls or you can hike down to the bottom of the falls. It's a well maintained trail but I would suggest the use of a walking for the journey back up.

Directions: From Helen take Ga.75 north for 1.5 miles, then turn left on Ga. 356 and proceed 2.3 mile. to Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway and turn right. Go two miles up the scenic byway to Dukes Creek Falls Recreational Area and turn left into parking lot.

Falls on Waters Creek and Blood Mountain Falls

Located on Blood Mountain Stream, the stream flows nearly 20 feet through a rock cut. Acting like a sluice, the waters from the stream rush through with a concentrated fury.

Directions: North from Cleveland on U.S. 19/129, approximately. 10 miles to U.S. 19, turn west on U.S. 19 approximately. 5 miles to Water's Creek Recreation Area and turn right. Drive 1.2 mile. and you'll pass a roadside waterfall on the right. Continue on another 1.6 mile. to the second waterfall and park in the lot to the right and take the path across the road for a more scenic view of the waterfall. Now take F.S. Road 34 for another .7 of a mile. to a logging road on the right before F.S. Road fords Crow Mountain Creek and park. The route to the waterfall treads along the logging road about .8 miles.

Raven Cliff Falls

The waters from this fall flows through a split in the face of solid rock and drops to the ground 100 ft. below. Behind the split, the waters fall approximately. 60 ft., passes through the rock face and falls another 20 ft. into a pool, then cascading another 20 ft. and into Dodd Creek where you'll find three more waterfalls. The largest one on Dodd Creek measures 70 ft. No facilities are provided and visitors should be cautious when using this undeveloped area.

Directions: From Helen go north 1.5 mile. on Ga 75 and turn left on Ga. 356 and go 2.3 mile. to Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway and take a right. Stay on the scenic byway 2.8 mile. and park in the parking area where you'll find the trail head to Raven Cliffs.

Caution: Keep in mind, waterfalls are beautiful, but they are not to be climbed on, they can be dangerous, people have been seriously injured and in some cases have lost their lives climbing on waterfalls, they are posted for a reason, so enjoy while you are there and take a photo home to remember.