10 Most Beautiful Waterfalls in Georgia (2026 Updated)
Ranked by what visitors photograph and rate five stars, these are the 10 most beautiful of Georgia's 36 named waterfalls, starting with Anna Ruby Falls. The list spans the Northeast Georgia Mountains, Northwest Ridges and Lookout Mountain, and North Georgia Blue Ridge.
How We Picked
Beauty is subjective, so we let visitors decide. Among 27 publicly accessible Georgia waterfalls with Google reviews and photos, we ranked by three signals: the share of five-star reviews, how many photos visitors have posted, and how often reviews mention scenery and views. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
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1. Anna Ruby Falls
Cleveland, GA · White County · Northeast Georgia Mountains
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 6,521 photos of it on Google, about 4.2 for every review. 90% of its 1,559 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). Its listing describes it as: "Picturesque waterfall with a visitor's center accessible by driving through Unicoi State Park." The setting includes Smith Mountain (summit, 0.3 mi) and Hickory Knob (summit, 1.7 mi). It is one of 15 named falls in the Northeast Georgia Mountains region. The nearest town is Cleveland, about 12 miles to the south.
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2. Dukes Creek Falls
Cleveland, GA · White County · Northeast Georgia Mountains
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 1,949 photos of it on Google, about 4.3 for every review. 87% of its 449 reviewers rate it five stars (4.8 average). Its listing describes it as: "A moderate hiking trail with Mount Yonah views leads to this waterfall with a viewing platform." The setting includes Little Hickorynut Mountain (summit, 0.8 mi) and Jasper Gap (gap, 1.0 mi). It is one of 15 named falls in the Northeast Georgia Mountains region. The nearest town is Cleveland, about 7.4 miles to the south.
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3. Keown Falls
Calhoun, GA · Walker County · Northwest Ridges and Lookout Mountain
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 497 photos of it on Google, about 4.3 for every review. 80% of its 116 reviewers rate it five stars (4.7 average). Reviewers single out its overlook and beautiful scenery. The setting includes Johns Mountain (summit, 0.7 mi) and Gentry Gap (gap, 1.9 mi). It is one of 4 named falls in the Northwest Ridges and Lookout Mountain region. The nearest town is Calhoun, about 11 miles to the southeast.
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4. Helton Creek Falls
Blairsville, GA · Union County · North Georgia Blue Ridge
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 1,389 photos of it on Google, about 3.0 for every review. 82% of its 458 reviewers rate it five stars (4.7 average). Its listing describes it as: "Scenic double waterfalls in Chattahoochee National Forest with a short, kid-friendly hiking trail." The setting includes Nance Payne Cove (valley, 0.5 mi) and Fisher Knob (summit, 0.5 mi). It is one of 15 named falls in the North Georgia Blue Ridge region. The nearest town is Blairsville, about 9.2 miles to the northwest.
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5. Amicalola Falls
Dawsonville, GA · Dawson County · North Georgia Blue Ridge
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 1,168 photos of it on Google, about 2.5 for every review. 91% of its 465 reviewers rate it five stars (4.9 average). Its listing describes it as: "This towering waterfall in Amicalola Falls State Park is one of the 7 Natural Wonders of Georgia." The setting includes Grogan Mountain (summit, 2.0 mi). It is one of 15 named falls in the North Georgia Blue Ridge region. The nearest town is Dawsonville, about 12 miles to the southeast.
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6. Lula Falls
Chattanooga Valley, GA · Walker County · Northwest Ridges and Lookout Mountain
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 197 photos of it on Google. 79% of its 112 reviewers rate it five stars (4.5 average). Its listing describes it as: "Open during limited times, this popular, stunning waterfall is accessed by a steep hiking trail." The setting includes Lula Lake (lake, 0.1 mi) and Eagle Cliff (cliff, 0.4 mi). It is one of 4 named falls in the Northwest Ridges and Lookout Mountain region. The nearest town is Chattanooga Valley, about 0.9 miles to the east.
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7. Toccoa Falls
Toccoa, GA · Stephens County · Northeast Georgia Mountains
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 556 photos of it on Google, about 2.4 for every review. 82% of its 233 reviewers rate it five stars (4.6 average). The setting includes Smith Lake (lake, 1.2 mi) and Rock Quarry Mountain (summit, 1.9 mi). It is one of 15 named falls in the Northeast Georgia Mountains region. The nearest town is Toccoa, about 2.0 miles to the southeast.
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8. Hemlock Falls
Hiawassee, GA · Towns County · Northeast Georgia Mountains
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 326 photos of it on Google, about 4.7 for every review. 88% of its 69 reviewers rate it five stars (4.9 average). It is one of 15 named falls in the Northeast Georgia Mountains region. The nearest town is Hiawassee, about 11 miles to the northwest.
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9. Mud Creek Falls
Mountain City, GA · Rabun County · Northeast Georgia Mountains
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 177 photos of it on Google, about 2.1 for every review. 93% of its 85 reviewers rate it five stars (4.9 average). It is one of 15 named falls in the Northeast Georgia Mountains region. The nearest town is Mountain City, about 5.4 miles to the southwest.
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10. DeSoto Falls
Blairsville, GA · Lumpkin County · North Georgia Blue Ridge
Why it is so photogenic
Visitors have posted 650 photos of it on Google, about 3.0 for every review. 77% of its 215 reviewers rate it five stars (4.6 average). Its listing describes it as: "Tall waterfall in DeSoto State Park popular with visitors with a paved pathway & picnic area." The setting includes Swaim Cove (valley, 0.4 mi) and Cedar Mountain (summit, 0.7 mi). It is one of 15 named falls in the North Georgia Blue Ridge region. The nearest town is Blairsville, about 11 miles to the north.
When to Visit Georgia's Waterfalls
Georgia's mountain waterfalls flow most strongly from late winter through spring, when frequent rain systems and occasional snowmelt keep streams high. March through May also brings wildflowers, and rhododendron and mountain laurel bloom along many trails from late spring into early summer. Summer remains a good time thanks to steady afternoon thunderstorms, although popular sites like Anna Ruby, Amicalola and Helton Creek are crowded on weekends. Fall color usually peaks in the northeast mountains in late October, which draws heavy traffic to Helen, Dahlonega and Clayton, and dry autumns can reduce flow noticeably. Keown Falls and other plateau-rim falls in the northwest are more seasonal and are best visited after rain. Winter offers solitude, and hard freezes occasionally create ice formations at higher elevations.
Before You Go
Most north Georgia falls lie in the Chattahoochee National Forest, with others in state parks such as Amicalola Falls and Unicoi, and a few on private or institutional land. Anna Ruby Falls is a fee area, and Georgia State Parks charge a daily parking fee. Toccoa Falls is located on the Toccoa Falls College campus, and Lula Falls is privately managed with limited open days, so check before going. Forest service roads to trailheads can be gravel and narrow. The main hazards are slick rock at the tops of falls, where serious and sometimes fatal accidents have occurred, and fast-rising water after summer storms. Weekend parking fills early at the most popular sites during summer and fall color season.
Read our waterfall safety rules and packing list before heading out. For better pictures, see our waterfall photography tips.
Explore More Georgia Waterfalls
See all 36 waterfalls in the Georgia waterfall guide, or browse by town: Cleveland, Calhoun, Blairsville, Dawsonville, Chattanooga Valley, Toccoa, Hiawassee, Mountain City.
More Georgia Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most beautiful waterfall in Georgia?
Anna Ruby Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.8-star rating from 1,559 Google reviews. It is near Cleveland in White County.
How was this list made?
Beauty is subjective, so we let visitors decide. Among 27 publicly accessible Georgia waterfalls with Google reviews and photos, we ranked by three signals: the share of five-star reviews, how many photos visitors have posted, and how often reviews mention scenery and views.
How many waterfalls are in Georgia?
Our directory lists 36 named waterfalls in Georgia. See them all, sorted by town, in the Georgia waterfall guide.
Which north Georgia town is the best base for waterfall trips?
Clayton in Rabun County puts the greatest number of falls within reach, while Helen and Dahlonega are close to Anna Ruby Falls, Dukes Creek Falls and DeSoto Falls.