The short walk from the bookstore at Toccoa Falls College to the falls makes it one of the most accessible natural wonders in the state.
If follows Toccoa Creek, the upstream source of the falls.
At 186 feet, the falls are about the same height as Niagara Falls (Horseshoe Falls, on the Canadian side). A sacred and mythological place to the indigenous Yuchi, and later, Cherokee people, the falls were first occupied/owned by White settlers in the late 18th century.
The first two owners are believed to have been Col. James Irwin, and Joshua Catcher. The early owner with whom it was most associated was Col. William Wofford (1728-1823), but like the falls themselves, ownership changed constantly, with at least 23 different owners until 1911.
In 1911, Dr. Richard A. Forrest (1881-1958) established Toccoa Falls Institute and Bible School, after purchasing a hundred acres and the Haddock Inn, a popular tourist destination built in 1873, from E. P. Simpson.
The Inn burned circa 1913 but other structures soon sprang up to take its place and the college remains today.
The falls attract thousands of visitors each year, including artists who draw inspiration from their natural beauty.
The only way to access the falls is to stop by the Toccoa Falls College bookstore and pay a small fee. At $2 ($1 for seniors), it’s one of the best bargains in Georgia. You won’t be disappointed.
Tallulah Gorge is a nearly thousand-foot-deep canyon which follows the Tallulah River for two miles resulting in one of the most beautiful natural areas in Georgia. The spectacular site is accessed at Tallulah Gorge State Park and is a mecca for outdoor recreation enthusiasts. I didn’t have much time when I was here, but even a visit of a couple of hours is one of the most rewarding trips in Georgia.
The first thing you’ll see if you plan on the strenuous descent to the Hurricane Falls suspension bridge, is L’Eau d’Or Falls, actually a series of several smaller falls. It’s a mere 350 feet below.
The Cascade Falls Trail is part of the Pine Mountain Trail, located within the F. D. Roosevelt State Park. Several waterfalls punctuate the trail, and while they may be small compared to better known waterfalls in North Georgia, they nonetheless provide great views. This post focuses on the trail as hiked from the WJSB-TV tower parking lot, just south of Warm Springs. The round trip to Cascade Falls and back is approximately 4.1 miles and will take about 3 hours with stops.
I’ll share the waterfalls first, since they are the main attraction, and then images from the trail.
Waterfalls of the Cascade Falls Trail, FDR State Park
Csonka Falls, F. D. Roosevelt State Park
Csonka Falls will be the first waterfall you reach on the trail.
Big Rock Falls, F. D. Roosevelt State Park
Big Rock Falls will be the next point of interest. It’s a great spot to take a rest.
Slippery Rock Falls, F. D. Roosevelt State Park
The third waterfall is Slippery Rock Falls, and it is my favorite spot on the trail.
Slippery Rock Falls, F. D. Roosevelt State Park
It’s another good rest stop, but the rocks live up to their name and are indeed quite slippery.
Cascade Falls, F. D. Roosevelt State Park
About 2.1 miles from the trailhead, hikers are at last rewarded with the highlight of the trail, Cascade Falls. Like all the waterfalls along the trail, it’s marked with a wooden sign.
Cascade Falls, F. D. Roosevelt State Park
The pool below the falls is a nice place to cool your feet in the summertime, and to take a rest before returning to the trailhead.
Cascade Falls Trail, F. D. Roosevelt State Park
This easternmost section of the Pine Mountain Trail is popular with hikers for its waterfalls, but the landscape of this area is equally interesting. It’s the most mountainous section of Georgia south of Atlanta.
The first part of the hike crosses relatively flat land.
The topography changes as the trail winds it way toward the falls, following Wolfden Creek, also known as Wolfden Branch.
The creek runs mostly parallel to the trail, but it crosses it 13 times.
One of the interesting features of the trail are the large rocks that litter the woods.
They make good seats if you need to take a break from the walk.
You’ll also likely notice many fallen trees. They’re remnants of a 2011 tornado.
Past Slippery Rock Falls, the trail begins it highest rise.
For casual hikers, it can be a bit of a challenge.
Bumblebee Ridge is the highest point before reaching Cascade Falls, and offers nice views (and a bench).
Plants of Cascade Falls Trail, F. D. Roosevelt State Park
Early Spring is a great time to hike the trail, and you’ll encounter a variety of early wildflowers, and a reptile or two. Be careful of Copperheads, though, as this is prime habitat for the poisonous snakes.
Rhododendron canescens, light variety
Native azaleas were just beginning to bloom and were fairly common along the trail. I was here too early to see the Mountain Laurels, which reach the southern end of their range near here.
Viola pedata
Keep an eye out for one of my favorite native plants, the Bird-Foot Violet.
Oxalis
I found this Oxalis blooming in a crevice between two rocks. I believe it’s a Wood Sorrel, but am not positive as to which species.
Amicalola is the highest waterfall in Georgia and the views from the top of the falls are some of the nicest in the southern Appalachians. My apologies for not sharing a full shot of the falls.
When I was visiting Amicalola Falls I met several Appalachian Trail (AT) thru-hikers just setting out on their journeys. This gentleman had just made the drive up from southern Louisiana and was surprised by the warm weather. I think everyone was. The approach to the AT begins at Amicalola and winds its way up 8.5 miles to Springer Mountain, the trail’s southern terminus. Thousands of hikers pass through here every year with high hopes of making it all the way to Mount Katahdin, Maine. Most don’t quite make the grade, but all are drawn by the solitude and natural beauty of the trail. Whether seasoned hikers or first-timers, all come away from the experience with stories to tell.
*–Some of you may know this photograph and remember it was originally published in black and white. I still have the file for that but decided I like the color version for now.
When I was a student at Young Harris College, in 1988 and 1989, this was one of my favorite places. Years later, it’s charm remains. It’s one of the most accessible waterfalls in all of North Georgia, even if it’s barely over ten feet in height. It’s more easily seen from the small park above, but a short walk down to the creekbed affords this view. Ample free parking is available at the Corn Creek Preserve on Thomastown Road, which also features a couple of short trails, a children’s interpretive garden, and a marker commemorating the old mill which once operated here. (Be careful if walking down for this view, however, as the rocks are a bit difficult and always slippery).
It’s no surprise the name Cupid Falls was chosen for this small wonder of the mountains. It’s easy to imagine the appeal its seclusion and natural beauty holds for young couples. If you’re having trouble finding it, just ask anyone on campus and they’ll gladly point you in the right direction.
Rocky Creek Falls is one of the southernmost waterfalls in Georgia. The creek is a tributary of the nearby Ocmulgee River. The falls are part of the Broxton Rocks ecosystem, the largest exposed section of sandstone in the Altamaha Grit. Every year, locals gather for an Easter outing, a tradition that dates back over a century and gives the site the name Easter Rocks by some locals.
The property isn’t publicly accessible today, except through occasional tours with The Nature Conservancy. There are numerous rare plant and animal species associated with the site.
