For those who have explored Northeast Georgia, you'll likely agree—it's truly a special destination. The region's state parks and surrounding landscapes deserve to be a go-to escape for anyone seeking natural beauty and tranquility. Conveniently located and easy to access, these areas offer breathtaking opportunities for landscape photography. Nestled at the southern edge of the Appalachian Mountains, this part of Georgia is characterized by gently rolling hills, cascading waterfalls, vibrant wildflowers, and an undeniably serene atmosphere. Its proximity to Atlanta makes it an ideal getaway for city dwellers, yet it remains blissfully uncrowded and peaceful.
Flowering plants in full bloom. Click the arrows to advance the slideshow.
Tallulah River rushes through Tallulah Gorge in Tallulah State Park
L'Eau d'Or Falls is one of four waterfalls in the gorge.
A renowned destination for kayaking and rafting enthusiasts.
Hurricane Falls and suspension bridge.
The view from Black Rock Mountain (State Park) highest point in Georgia.
Low water falling over Ada-Hi Falls at Black Rock Mountain State Park.
Erratic boulder, Black Rock Mountain State Park
A typical mountain lake.
Nestled on the outskirts of the charming college town of Toccoa, Georgia, lies a serene park, home to a breathtakingly tall and roaring waterfall.
The stream below the falls.
Toccoa Falls is a beautiful 186-foot waterfall on Toccoa Creek, located on the campus of Toccoa Falls College in Stephens County, Georgia. The name "Toccoa" comes from a Cherokee word meaning "beautiful," which perfectly describes this serene spot.
The falls is involved in a tragic story:
In the early hours of November 6, 1977, after nearly five days of heavy rain, the dam holding back Kelly Barnes Lake (above the Toccoa Falls and College campus) gave way. About 176 million gallons of water rushed through the campus in just a few minutes. Many people living in the flood's path were asleep, and sadly, 39 lives were lost in the devastating flood along Toccoa Creek.
Helen is a small mountain town in northeast Georgia, famous for its charming Bavarian-style buildings. Unicoi State Park has a lake and places to camp. You can also hike through the Chattahoochee National Forest to see the beautiful Anna Ruby waterfalls.
Smith Creek flows down from the waterfall, passing over rocks and fallen logs. A smooth, paved path runs gently uphill alongside the creek.
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Anna Ruby Falls is actually twin waterfalls created where two separate streams- Curtis Creek and York Creek- join at the base of the falls to form Smith Creek, which flows into Unicoi Lake. Both Curtis and York creeks begin on Tray Mountain, Georgia's sixth-highest peak: Curtis Creek drops 153 feet (47 m) and York Creek drops 50 feet (15 m). The falls are named after Anna Ruby Nichols, the daughter of an early settler.
The duo falls above and separated below.
