Tallulah Gorge, Georgia: The Ultimate Weekend Guide

Tucked away in the North East Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains is one of the state’s most prized gems: Tallulah Gorge State Park. We’re surprised more people don’t know about it – but Tallulah Gorge hiking trails, epic scenery and so much more are absolutely worth a drive. Visitors could spend an entire weekend exploring this hidden gem in Georgia.

If you’re a fan of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina, the trails and epic scenery in Tallulah Gorge are sure to strike your fancy. Most know this historic state park in Georgia’s Rabun County from photos of the epic suspension bridge. We’ll let you in on a secret though – that’s not even the best of Tallulah Gorge’s hiking trails!

Great for hiking, biking, bird watching, swimming, and more – there is something for just about all outdoorsmen!

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Best Time To Go: Spring, Summer, and Fall (Summer can be very hot!)

Cost & Passes: $4 to park & hiking permits to special areas are free.

Permits Required: For some trails including South Rim and Wilderness Areas

Handicap Accessible: Certain viewing areas

Trail Difficulties (Scale 0-10) : 3-9 (Easy to Very Difficult)

Pet Friendly: On some trails

What To Expect at Tallulah Gorge

The Appalachian Mountain Hiking regions are truly some of the most beautiful and undiscovered parts of the country. Tallulah Gorge State Falls lays deep within the heart of the mountains and is every bit as beautiful as the pictures make it seem.

• If you’ve never traveled to Southern USA, you wouldn’t know how lush the South can be. During the summers we jokingly call this region we live ‘the Rainforest of the South’ because while not tropical – its dense and vibrant green forests come alive.

Bright pink and white Mountain Laurel and Trillium flowers bloom starting in the early spring and showcase their blooms into the summer. Protected species like the Monkey Face Orchid also bloom all year, complementing its fellow protected species the bright green salamander.

Other than the vegetation and protected animals, you’ll also see a ton of bright green pines trees towering over the 1000-feet-deep Tallulah Gorge. Once you get to the overlooks, your views will be greeted with white rocky cliffs leading down to the sparkling teal waters of the Tallulah River. We were genuinely surprised at how pretty the water is! Oftentimes you see edited photos of places but this time it was true!!!

Tallulah Gorge Dam Water Release Dates

During April and November, waters are released from the dam and allowed to flow unchecked throughout the base of the canyon. It’s a dramatic sight to see and kayakers can be seen coasting through the massive rapids created!

On these days – the waters won’t be the sparkling blue that many have come to know as picturesque. Instead, they’ll be gaining speed all weekend churning up dirt from the river beds. Waters reach speeds of 700 cubic feet per second (CFS) during these releases!! Normally Tallulah River flows around 35-40 CFS creating the five aesthetically-friendly waterfalls seen throughout the park.

• Rock climbers are not given permits on Tallulah Gorge dam release dates!

Directions To Tallulah Gorge State Park

Interstate 85 is the major thoroughfare through the Northern portions of Georgia, into South Carolina and North Carolina. To get to Tallulah Gorge State Park from Atlanta:

• Take I-85 N/I-985 N for 51 minutes until you see the exit for US-23 North in Hall County Georgia.
• Follow US-23 N for about 45 minutes and you’ll come to Tallulah Gorge State Park on your right.
• Follow the signs for parking at the Tallulah Gorge Interpretive Center.

If you’re heading anywhere else in the South, you may need our guide to all the best road trip stops off of I-65! I-65 runs from the bottom of Lake Michigan in Indiana all the way to Mobile on the Gulf Coast of Alabama.

What To Do At Tallulah Gorge State Park Besides Hiking

Have you seen all of the gorgeous photos of Tallulah Gorge State Park and decided you want to spend more than just a day there? Luckily for you, there are a ton of activities at this state park making it perfect for a romantic or family weekend getaway!

This giant park is also home to a beach, bird watching, biking trails, and kayaking opportunities throughout the year.

KAYAKING: In order to kayak at Tallulah Gorge, visitors have to cross two hurdles. Number 1: Kayakers are only allowed to kayak the rapids of the Gorge during the water releases. To get the official Tallulah Gorge Water release schedule, click here. The second hurdler kayakers will face in getting permits is needing their Class-V kayaking certifications.

BIKING TRAILS: Bikers are permitted on the Shortline Trail, the Stoneplace Trail, and the High Bluff Trail (part of the Stoneplace Trails in the Wilderness Management Area.) Bikers can also join the Muddy Spokes Club. Tallulah Gorge’s Stoneplace Trail is one of 11 trails on the Georgia State Parks bucket list for bikers and you can earn a t-shirt after biking all 68 miles. Learn more about the Muddy Spokes Club here.

ROCK CLIMBING: The number one destination for Rock Climbers in Georgia, make sure you get there early to get your permits! Only 20 are given out on a single day.

More activities include archery and geocaching! For more information on any of the above activities, see the Tallulah Gorge State Park official site.

Leisurely Activities

Some of the activities above may be a little more active than many are willing to undertake. If the more dare-devil activities aren’t for you, enjoy these leisurely activities at Tallulah Gorge State Park.

BIRDWATCHING: Two important birds to look out for are the Peregrine Falcon and Bald Eagles. Peregrine Falcons can reach speeds of up to 200 miles per hour as they glide along with the winds in Tallulah Gorge! During nesting seasons rock climbers aren’t able to get permits! Bald eagles have been seen to nest in the region as well. Make sure to ask at the visitors center for what’s been sighted in the region.

CAMPING & SWIMMING AT TALLULAH BEACH: After a full day hiking – taking a swim at Tallulah Beach is just the thing to cool off. Visitors can enjoy swimming at the campground’s private beach from Memorial Day until Labor Day.

EXPLORE THE JANE HURT YARN INTERPRETIVE CENTER: If you get to the park and it’s a little rainy, or you’ve just eaten lunch and aren’t ready to hit the trails, the Interpretive Center is a fun way to pass the time! This state of the art 15,000 square foot museum features exhibits on the history behind Tallulah Falls Victorian-era resort town, the gorge’s natural landscape, and delicate ecosystem.

Best Trails at Tallulah Gorge State Park Hiking Trails

There are over 20 miles of trails at Tallulah Gorge State Park spread across the 2,600+ acre park. The trails range in difficulty from easy to what we like to call – ridiculously hard. (Like straight up a 45-degree angle hill of boulders kind of hard!!)

We’ll remind you down in the ‘What To Pack for Tallulah Gorge’ section, but we’re going to say it again here: make sure to bring water!!!!! Especially if it’s in the heat of the summer. Both you and your partner (because hiking alone here is dangerous) should carry at least a 3-liter bladder in your backpack.

Even at our most fit – the trail to the suspension bridge is 600 stairs. That’s tough! Not to mention the trails to the gorge floor which you’ll definitely need the water for.

North & south Rim Trails

If you’re not capable of climbing all 300 steps down and back up to see the suspension bridge over the gorge floor, these trails are for you! Both North and South Rim trails are great for viewing almost all of the waterfalls in Tallulah Gorge.

• Sites to See On North Rim: From overlooks along North Rim Trail, you’ll be able to see the Tallulah Gorge Dam, L’ Eau d’Or Falls, Tempesta Falls, Hurricane Falls, and North Wallenda Tower.
• Sites to See on South Rim: From overlooks along South Rim Trail, you’ll be able to see Tempesta Falls, Oceana Falls, and South Wallenda Tower.

These trails connect in two ways, either by walking around the gorge and the connector path (with very few stairs) close to the campground OR by crossing the Hurricane Falls Staircase and Suspension Bridge.

The only way to get to the suspension bridge is from either the North or South Rim Trails – but accessing the Hurricane Falls Staircase is easily done from the beginning of the North Rim Trail near the Interpretive Center.

• Important Note: North Rim and South Rim trails are the only ones dogs are allowed on in Tallulah Gorge. The other trails are a combination of bridges and stairs not suitable for pets and people to pass!! Get our full guide to hiking with dogs here.

HURRICANE FALLS TRAlL: The Hurricane Falls Trail is really the connection over Hurricane Falls between the North and South Rim Trails on either side of Tallulah Gorge. It’s also where you’ll find the Instagram famous suspension bridge, accompanied by 600 stairs to get to it! (That’s 300 stairs down and 300 stairs up!) The reason the stairs are so steep is that the suspension bridge is only 80 feet off the gorge floor. This entire gorge is 1000 feet deep which is a pretty serious elevation change!!

North Rim, South Rim, and Hurricane Falls: 2.5 miles (Easy-Moderate)

Other Trails of Tallulah Gorge

SHORTLINE TRAIL: This short 1.5-mile paved trail through the upper Tallulah River wilderness area is great for families or anyone not able to do a lot of steps. This trail also takes hikers across a wooden suspension bridge over calm sections of the river. While not as much of a wow factor as the other suspension bridge – it’s still pretty!
Trail Length: 2.8 miles (easy)

STONEPLACE TRAIL: This trail leaves the Tallulah Gorge State Park area and winds through the Wildlife Management Area nearby. Hikers are not given permits until after 10 AM regardless of the season and are encouraged to wear bright orange for safety. 100 permits are available daily so be sure to get there early if it’s your intention to walk this 10-mile round trip trail.

• Sliding Rock Trail & Tallulah Gorge Floor Trail: Scroll for a more in-depth look at these trails and getting to the gorge floor.

Tallulah Gorge Floor Trail Hiking

There are actually two avenues to get to the bottom of Tallulah Gorge. One way you can hike along the river gong away from the suspension bridge. The other way is a short trail from the far side of South Rim.

Hiking With Kids? Children under 8 years old are not encouraged to do either of these trails. Not only are there slippery surfaces and the potential for some stronger currents, but you’ll also have to have appropriate footwear because the trail can be treacherous. Babies in carriers or anything that normal family hikers do may be too difficult to manage on either of the trails that will get you to Bridal Veil Falls.

Both trails start from the Jane Hurt Yarn Interpretive Center. Start going West on the North Rim trail (if you’re looking at the Interpretive Center from the front – go right). You’ll soon take a left turn at Overlook 3 to go down to the suspension bridge.

• You’ll pass Overlook 2 so make sure you stop and take a look at Tempesta Falls!

Once you cross the suspension bridge you’ll get Hurricane Falls {you’re on Hurricane Falls Trail at this point}, get ready to decide which way you want to go.

Sliding Rock trail to Bridal Veil Falls via South Rim Trail

To find this trail, the directions are as follows after the suspension bridge:

• At the split after the bridge, take a right and climb all stairs to get to South Rim Trail.
• Take a left and continue on South Rim Trail until you come to a fork in the trail. Follow it up across a grassy field along a tree line. (If you get to Overlook 8, you’ve gone the wrong way!)

You’ll soon see a sign to turn left into the forest for Sliding Rock Trail and the necessary permits to continue. REMINDER: Free permits to hike the Gorge floor are available through the Interpretive Center.

• You’ll come to one of the South Rim Wataba towers, and take a right. The trail is NOT CLEARLY MARKED. It’s sort of a… find your way down a very steep hill of boulders and continue in the right direction type situation.

You’ll come to one of the South Rim Wataba towers, and take a right. The trail is NOT CLEARLY MARKED. It’s sort of a… find your way down a very steep hill of boulders and continue in the right direction type situation.

Gorgeous, and cool – but SUPER difficult on the knees and very much like a rock climb? We’ve never done a trail that required us to be 100% hands-free to be able to make it up and down. This is one of those. Don’t think you’re going to have your camera out (unless it’s attached by a camera clip) and even then – we wouldn’t risk it.

This is a trail you need to make sure you bring PLENTY of water for!

Trail: 1.7 miles (Hard)

Wallenda Tightrope Towers

Time for a little history break! Did you notice that part of our directions for the last trail included passing the South Wallenda tower? There are two towers on opposite sights of the gorge constructed in 1970 for the famous daredevil Karl Wallenda.

His high wire walk was intended to bring in tourists and it did! This German-born performer traversed the 1,000 ft-across & 750 ft-high, doing not one but two handstands before completing the walk!

The town has taken off, and tourists today can still see Wallenda’s suit from the ’70s on display at the Interpretive Center!!

P.S. For many people this sounds insane – and doing so unaided by security tethers could certainly be considered dangerous. However, we’re super used to seeing them in the wilds of West Virginia and Kentucky! People still engage in high-wire walks all the time.

Bridal Veil Falls via Tallulah Gorge Trail

To follow the correct trail, when you cross the suspension bridge over Hurricane Falls take a left. You’ll continue down a set of stairs to the gorge floor and get a closer view of Hurricane Falls. Before you’re able to continue on the Gorge Floor Trail, you will need to cross the River!

Be careful looking at Alltrails for this trial. If you look at Alltrails, It seems like you would be following the trail on the same side of the river as where the bridge empties out on the other side of Tallulah River from the Jane Hurt Yarn Interpretive Center. This is not correct.

• Once you cross the river, you can take a right and continue down River to Bridal Veil Falls.

We ended up doing the Sliding Rock Trail via South Rim, but both trails are pretty epic! Regardless of which trail you take, you’re going to want to swim at the end! Make sure you take water shoes. You can’t see the bottom of the swimming hole, and in shallower spots, there is some metal in the water. We assume it’s from a long time ago when the dam was built? But either way – be cautious!

Trail Length: 3.4 Miles (Hard)

Hiking Badges of Honor

Have you ever done a particularly hard hike and felt like you deserved a reward? Maybe more than just the pizza that hikers famously reward themselves with?!

Join the Canyon Climbers Club after climbing Tallulah Gorge State Park’s suspension bridge! The other parks that complete the challenge are Amicolala Falls, Providence Canyon, and Cloudland Canyon. After adventurers get the $20 card from state park offices, and punched by a ranger at each spot, you can turn in the card for a T-shirt! See more here about the Canyon Climbers Club here.

Other Hikes In The Area

Once you’ve hiked, biked, or kayaked to your heart’s content in Tallulah Gorge State Park – check out some of the other hikes in the area.

Two spectacular hikes we did on our North Georgia road trip were Toccoa Falls and Bell Mountain.

• Toccoa Falls is interesting for two reasons. The first is that it’s one of the tallest waterfalls East of the Mississippi, and secondly – it’s behind a bookstore! Located on the Toccoa Falls evangelical college campus, visitors can pay just $2 to visit and walk this 0.1 mile trail to the falls. (Only 23 minutes from Tallulah Gorge!)
• Bell Mountain: An interesting hike and drive to say the least – Bell Mountain is a graffiti covered wonder. Located only 50 minutes away, it’s a perfect day trip if you’re staying in the area. Try to go at sunset or sunrise for the most scenic views.
• Brasstown Bald: Another amazing hike near Tallulah Gorge in the North Georgia mountains with 360 degree views. We did an incredible sunrise hike here and loved our morning in the clouds!

Where To Stay Near Tallulah Gorge

Visitors staying for the weekend may want to camp or stay in a hotel. Tallulah Gorge State Park has its own campground complete with both primitive and RV campsites.

• This park also offers three backcountry campsites perfect for anyone looking for a little more solitude in the evenings. These are first come first serve so make your reservations early!

If you’re more comfortable staying near hotels – try booking with some of these budget-friendly picks:

• Lake Rabun Hotel – Gorgeously restored boutique stay and only 15 minutes away.
• Tranquilty Place Cabin – 15 minutes away – Secluded and private!

P.S. Once you’ve explored Tallulah Gorge, you might want to take in some of the more refined parts of Southern culture? Get our guide to 14 Stunning Southern USA Resorts and Hotels. You deserve a little R&R!

What To Bring With You To Tallulah Gorge State Park

What To Bring With You To Tallulah Gorge State Park

Beyond just your typical hiking gear – this is a hiking trip you’ll need full gear for. More than just a 12 oz water bottle in hand kind of day. Tallulah Gorge has elevation changes of up to 1000 feet with more than 600 stairs on the most popular trail. If you’re wearing an activity tracker or a smartwatch – you’ll definitely have your workout in for the day!

We highly recommend you bring a hydration bladder and snacks regardless of what trail you’re hiking. (Get our recipe for gluten free-keto friendly crackers – one of our favorite trail snacks!) And if you’re into easier trail food, get our guide to 50 Sugar-Free Road Trip Snacks. If you forget water and snacks, the Interpretive Center where you get permits also has a gift shop.

• Get our full guide to hiking daypacks here. Emergency kits, our favorite hydration bladders, and so much more!!
• Get our Peak camera clip here for easier shooting throughout the day! This clip allowed us to be handsfree most of the day when we really needed it throughout all of the elevation changes.
• Pack waterproof sunscreen if you’re going to be swimming!
• Hiking boots are an absolute necessity if you plan to do the Gorge Floor trails or the Hurricane Falls Suspension Bridge Trail with all of it’s steps. We have great boots and still had some knee tenderness after the day was done.
• Water Shoes & Microfiber Quick-Drying Towels – if you’re doing the Gorge Floor trail at Tallualh Gorge this summer and you plan on going for a swim, make sure you grab a pair of water shoes.

LEAVE NO TRACE: We’re big on Leave-No-Trace Principles here at My Colorful Wanderings and we want to encourage you to do the same. It can be incredibly difficult to keep the parks open and clean year-round, and for everyone to keep visiting for years to come. Let’s do our park to make the park conservationists’ jobs easier!

Further Reading

Looking for more inspiration? Our blog is dedicated to finding the great hikes, the best restaurants, and all of the places that make us feel alive again. After visiting Tallulah Gorge, here are a few Southeast USA posts that might inspire you.

• Our Alabama Road Trip Guide for two weeks worth of grand adventures throughout this Southern state. Full of waterfalls, glow worm caves, and white sandy beaches, you’ll have plenty to do!
• Within just a haf day drive from Tallulah Gorge State Park, here are 12 Perfect Kentucky Summer Hikes. All if you’re looking to explore more of Kentucky, get our guide to 100+ Fun Things To Do In Louisville. (Kentucky’s biggest city!)
• Interested in exploring one of the most underrated Southern foodie destinations? Head to Louisville, Kentucky for delicious tacos, fresh seafood and so much more!

Interested in exploring more of the USA? We have blog posts for that too. We love the Southeast and all of our Southern neighbors, but we have an incredible country just waiting to be explored. You really don’t have to take an international flight to have an epic vacation.

• Explore 13 Gorgeous Bucketlist Bookstores around the United States (including a few in the Southeast!)
• Fall in the USA is one of our favorite times of the year to take road trips. Explore the best Fall Honeymoon and Romantic Getaway Destinations throughout the Southern USA, and if you need a little winter inspiration, get our guide to the Best Places to Travel in February in the USA and Internationally.
• If you loved the Tallulah Gorge Hiking trails but you’re looking for something more quiet and less traveled, get our guide to the 11 Most Underrtaed Hiking Destinations throughout the USA.

FAQ’s & Sharing This Guide!

Want to take a camping trip to Tallulah Gorge with your significant other or a group of friends? Share this guide and get the planning started. P.S. Traveling or camping with a group at Tallulah Gorge? Get our guide for 11 strategies to survive group travel.

The Best Time To Visit Tallulah Gorge State Park: Spring and fall are popular due to the blooms of Mountain Laurel in the Spring and autumnal color change in the fall. Tallulah Gorge hiking trails can be accessed all year and if you live close – you should try to experience this charming state park in all seasons.

How Much Time Do You Need To See All of Tallulah Gorge State Park: We recommend 2-3 days. The park itself is large, but once you do 3-4 trails, swim, and visit the Interpretive Center – you’ve seen it all. Get our guides to Travel While Working Full-Time and How To Make The Most of Weekend Getaways for a little planning help.

Are Drones Allowed In Tallulah Gorge? ‘Drone operation is prohibited in Georgia’s State Parks and Historic Sites. However, occasionally waivers are approved for professional commercial projects which may generate revenue or in other ways help promote the sites. In these cases, prior approval is required from the Division Director.’ – Georgia State Parks Department of Natural Resources

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Until next time friends,

Thanks for sharing!