Side by side
| Place | Trail | Fee | Open |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anna Ruby Falls | Paved trail from the visitor center | $6 per person 16+; 15 and under free | 9 AM–5 PM daily, last entry 4 PM |
| Dukes Creek Falls | 1.25 miles each way to the second deck; first 0.1 mile accessible | $4 per vehicle | Sunrise to sunset |
| Raven Cliffs Falls | 2.6 miles each way, stream crossings | $5 per vehicle | Year-round |
| Unicoi State Park | Lake and park trails | $10 ParkPass per vehicle | Year-round |
| Smithgall Woods State Park | Register at the Visitor Center | $10 ParkPass per vehicle | 7 AM to dark |
Anna Ruby Falls
Anna Ruby is the easy one. The U.S. Forest Service describes a pair of twin waterfalls, the taller dropping more than 150 feet, at the end of a paved trail from the visitor information center. Entry is $6 per person for ages 16 and up and free for 15 and under. It is open 9 AM to 5 PM every day except the days around Thanksgiving and Christmas, with no entry after 4 PM. You reach it by GA-356 from Helen, past Unicoi State Park.
Unicoi State Park
Unicoi is the closest park to town, two miles out according to the park’s own site, at 1788 Highway 356. It has a lake, trails and a lodge, and it is run by the North Georgia Mountains Authority and Coral Hospitality. A Georgia State Parks ParkPass is $10 per vehicle for the day or $70 for a year.
Dukes Creek Falls
West of town on the Richard Russell Highway (GA-348), Dukes Creek Falls is 1.25 miles each way from the parking lot to the second observation deck. Only the first tenth of a mile, to the first deck, is accessible. The Forest Service charges $4 per vehicle and opens it sunrise to sunset.
Raven Cliffs Falls
Raven Cliffs is the longest of the three: 2.6 miles each way into the Raven Cliffs Wilderness, with stream crossings, from a trailhead at 3000 Richard Russell Highway. The day fee is $5 per vehicle. Plan a half day for it on its own, and leave bikes at home: wheels are not allowed in the wilderness.
Smithgall Woods State Park
Smithgall Woods covers 5,844 acres on Dukes Creek. It opens 7 AM to dark, every visitor registers at the Visitor Center, and trout fishing on the creek is catch-and-release on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from October through May, by reservation.
Hardman Farm and the Nacoochee Valley
Just south of Helen at 143 Highway 17, Hardman Farm State Historic Site keeps an 1870s farm. It opens daily 10 AM to 4 PM from March through December and Thursday to Saturday in January and February, with mansion tours Thursday to Saturday. Admission is $13 for adults, with lower prices for seniors and young people and a $7 grounds-only ticket.
At the junction of GA-75 and GA-17 you will see the Nacoochee Mound with its gazebo. It is a burial site, so view it from the road.
Quick answers
How far is Anna Ruby Falls from downtown Helen, and what does it cost?
It is up GA-356 past Unicoi State Park, which the park itself puts two miles from Helen. Entry is $6 per person 16 and older, free for 15 and under, and the falls are open 9 AM to 5 PM with no entry after 4 PM.
Source: U.S. Forest Service
Which waterfall near Helen is easiest?
Anna Ruby Falls, on a paved trail from the visitor center. Dukes Creek Falls is 1.25 miles each way and only its first deck is accessible; Raven Cliffs Falls is 2.6 miles each way with stream crossings.
Source: U.S. Forest Service
Hours, prices and dates change. The official visitor center has the final word: Helen Welcome Center (Alpine Helen/White County CVB)