Tallulah Gorge State Park
Hiking Tallulah Gorge State Park: Stunning Waterfalls and Amazing Scenery in the North Georgia Mountains
On a warm Saturday in May, the entire Trails & Tap team hit the road to go hiking at Tallulah Gorge State Park. This Georgia State Park is located in the northwest area of the state, just over 11 miles south of Clayton. The park boasts 20 miles of hiking trails, and the major attractions of the gorge are the six waterfalls known as the Tallulah Falls, which cause the Tallulah River to drop 500 feet over one mile.
Once we arrived at the park, we started our journey at the Visitor Center. The Tallulah Gorge State Park’s visitor center is quite impressive and is one of the best we’ve seen in Georgia. There is a lot to see and do in the center, including exhibitions, wildlife displays, the Jane Hurt Yarn Interpretive Center which is a mini-museum, and a small theater to watch an award-winning film about the area and its ecosystem. We picked up a trail map before heading out to the trails we wanted to hike.
The North and South Rim Trails Offer Incredible Views of the Tallulah Falls
After considering an afternoon thunderstorm that was headed directly for the park, we decided to hike the North and South Rim trails. These moderately-rated trails are a three-mile round trip and offer incredible views of the Tallulah Falls, with ten scenic overlooks along the way. The rim trails have five overlooks each, with different views of the 1,000-foot-deep gorge. The two trails have quite a bit of elevation change, but none are difficult. The North and South Rim trails are very well maintained and intersect on the highway bridge over the hydroelectric dam, which bounds the gorge upstream.
The other seven Tallulah Gorge hiking trails range from easy (Shortline Trail) to very difficult (Gorge Floor Trail). Many of the more difficult trails require permits including the High Bluff Trail, Stoneplace Trail, and the Gorge Floor Trail. It’s recommended that hikers review the details of each trail on the Tallulah Gorge website or inquire at the Visitor Center.
Tallulah Gorge Surprise: Rare Ravens Raising Chicks
Along the South Rim Trail, we stopped at overlook #9 to take a look at the rarely-seen-in-Georgia ravens and their nest! The nest is in a crevice on one of the gorge’s walls, and we used binoculars and a spotting scope to get a closer look! To see the nest, you’ll need a good pair of binoculars or a scope. Read more about the ravens in this PBS article.
Beyond the allure of the waterfalls in Tallulah Gorge, there is plenty of fauna, spring-fed streams, and rock formations along both of the rim trails. Keep a look out for the spiders and their webs that inhabit the rocky wall alcoves along the trail near overlooks #8, #9, and #10!
The Trails & Tap team highly recommends taking a hike at this beautiful state park! Camping is available with 52 tent, trailer, and RV sites. There is rock climbing by permit, fishing, mountain biking, paddling, and many more activities within the 473-acre park. Another event that happens in the gorge are the Whitewater and Aesthetic Water Releases on certain dates and times. Watch kayakers test their skills on the massive rapids during whitewater releases! The water releases weren’t scheduled for the date we visited – take a look at the release schedule on the park’s website.
There is also a lot to do and see in the area including the Victorian town of Tallulah Falls, the city of Clayton, Hardman Farm State Historic Site, and the Alpine Village of Helen. We visited our friends at Wander North Georgia after our hike – this awesome store has two locations: One is located very near to the entrance of the park, and their main store is in downtown Clayton. We grabbed a tasty dinner at the Universal Joint, just across the street. Then, in traditional Trails & Tap style, we stopped by Currahee Brewing Company for a few local brews.
Places to stay Near Tallulah Falls
- Camping at Tallulah Gorge State Park: There are 52 Tent, Trailer, and RV Campsites at this state park, along with one Pioneer campground and two backcountry Adirondack shelters. Visit Georgia State Parks Reservations to check availability.
- Lodging Near Tallulah Falls GA: Nearby cities offer hotels and lodging. Search for hotel accommodations in Clayton, Cornelia, Dillard, or Helen.
- Cabins Near Tallulah Falls Georgia: While this state park itself does not offer cabin rentals, there are plenty of cabins available to rent in the immediate area. Search for cabins near Tallulah Falls.
Tips For Your Trip
- Weekends are very busy at Tallulah Gorge State Park, so plan to arrive early. The park may limit access if parking is full
- Keep track of the latest weather updates during your trip and be prepared, especially from May through August. Storms can pop up quickly and at any time during these months!
- Bring binoculars or a viewing scope with you. There is so much to see at the park and there are great scenic lookouts that you will want to get a closer view from.
- As always, get a trail map when you arrive at the park! While the hiking trails are very well marked at Tallulah Gorge, you never know when a trail map will come in handy.
- Go during the spring or early summer – there are tons of wildflowers and trees in bloom. When we went, we were able to see mountain laurel and rhododendron all over the place!
Happy Trails to You!
The Trails and Tap Team
Tallulah Gorge State Park Information:
- Tallulah Gorge Trail Map: Click to View (pdf)
- Hours: Park: 8:00 am – Dark; Visitor Center and Office: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Parking: $5 per vehicle per day. Annual passes available.
- Phone Number: 706-754-7981
- Address: 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Drive, Tallulah Falls, GA 30573 (Rabun County)
- GPS Coordinates: N 34.739750 | W -083.395233
- Directions to Tallulah Gorge State Park: View this Google Map to determine directions to the park from your location.
