Helton Creek Falls was a spontaneous stop for me on my journey through northern Georgia, and I am so happy I found it.
If you’re looking for a beautiful waterfall with very little hiking effort, Helton Creek Falls needs to be on your list. This spot delivers two stunning waterfalls along a short and easily navigable trail.
The Hike
The hike to Helton Falls is very easy and short. It is about 0.6 miles round-trip on a trail that is well-maintained.
After driving through a neighborhood and down a gravel, winding road, I parked at the trailhead. There were several cars parked along the road, all but one were leaving when I arrived.
The trail was a little bit difficult to find as there weren’t any signs, but once on it, it was easy to hike with no turn-offs. It is mostly a dirt trail with a few wooden steps.
Once I reached the river, I was greeted with an immediate view of the lower waterfall, right from the side of the river.
Continuing along the trail, I reached the first landing platform. This one had beautiful views of the valley below the lower falls and the top of the lower falls.
The trail leading to the upper waterfall was wet from heavy rain the days prior. Be prepared for wet shoes and be careful of slippery rocks. I arrived at the upper platform and discovered that it was closed due to damage. From this location, I could see the more impressive upper falls.
If you are viewing the falls from the riverside, please remember that the rocks are slippery and the water here is very fast-moving.
Helton Creek Falls
Helton Creek Falls is made up of two distinct waterfalls. The lower falls is the smaller of the two, rolling 35 feet down a rocky slide to the creek below.
The upper falls drop an impressive 80 feet into a small pool of calm water before moving down the creek to the lower falls. It was my favorite drop of the two.
Tips for Visiting
- Arrive early or later in the day to avoid crowds
- The parking lot is small
- Be careful if you have dogs or small children
Helton Creek Falls is well worth the stop. It is easy to access, beautiful, and offers a high reward for limited effort.
Leave a Reply