Located on the campus of Toccoa Falls College in northeast Georgia, close to the Georgia-South Carolina state line, Toccoa Falls is a breathtaking, 186-foot-high waterfall. It’s easily accessible by way of a 100-yard path from the school’s gift shop.

The school charges a nominal admission fee of $2 for adults and children age 7 and older and $1 for seniors. Families of four or more are $6. 

Approximately two hours northwest of Atlanta at Cloudland Canyon State Park, Cherokee and Hemlock Falls can be seen at the end of the park’s Waterfalls Trail. For more experienced hikers, this two-mile-roundtrip trail starts at the park’s main trailhead, before dropping in elevation to reach the falls.

Hikers will reach Cherokee Falls first, which is approximately one-half a mile from the trailhead. Continue for another half-mile, including 600 stairs, to reach Hemlock Falls. Visitors are charged a $5 parking fee to enter the park. 

Located between Ellijay and Dahlonega, Amicalola Falls State Park showcases the highest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi River. Amicalola Falls plunges 729 feet down, and hikers can gaze on its full glory as they confront the trail, which includes several staircases and ends in a viewing platform.

For quick and easy access, a paved path leads directly to the viewing platform. There is a $5 parking fee to enter the park. 

In the northeast Georgia mountains, Tallulah Falls is actually a series of six waterfalls that cascade down through Tallulah Gorge in Tallulah Gorge State Park. One of the best views of the falls is from the suspension bridge hanging 80 feet above the gorge floor.

You can reach the bridge via the Hurricane Falls Trail Loop, but be warned: This trail is rated difficult thanks to the total of 1,099 stairs, including a staircase to the gorge floor. Know that if you want to hike the gorge floor, a permit is required along with proper footwear (no flip-flops or crocs). Also, the park charges a $5 parking fee. 

Found in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest near Helen, Anna Ruby Falls is a combination of two rivers coming together and plunging over a cliff. The larger of the two, the left fall, cascades down 150 feet, while the right plunges 50 feet down. Visitors can see the falls by following a brief, half-mile paved path.

Access to Anna Ruby Falls comes via Unicoi State Park. Admission to the falls is $3 per person for ages 16 and older. 

Also located in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, Minnehaha Falls actually isn’t far from Tallulah Falls. As if flowing down a staircase, these falls plummet 100 feet. A short, .4-mile trail takes hikers to the base of the falls. There is free parking at the trailhead and free admission.