Anna Ruby Falls in Georgia was a last-minute stop on our way to Helen. Steep, gorgeous, and totally worth it. Here’s what to know first.
The Best Stop We Didn’t Plan
Some of the best hikes are the ones you didn’t see coming. Anna Ruby Falls now belongs on that list for me.
Jeremy and I were driving toward Helen, Georgia on Monday, May 4th. We’d already had a packed day.
We’d fed goats at Goat Landing and Ladybug Landing in Tiger.
We’d stopped at the official Bigfoot Crossing, taken in the view at the Tallulah Point Scenic Overlook, and hiked the North Rim Trail at Tallulah Gorge State Park.
Our legs were tired. Our dogs Baileys and Kahlua – aka The Pampered Pomchis – had also been on the move all day.
Then we saw the signs for Anna Ruby Falls. And like any good road trip warriors who now choose to go off-highway 90% of the time, we said let’s do it.
I’m so glad we did.
Know Before You Go
Before I get into the actual hike, here’s a quick rundown of what I wish somebody had told me before we pulled into the parking lot:
- The parking fee is $6 per person, so plan accordingly if you’re traveling as a group (and yes! I saw that silly TikTok of hiding folks in the trunk at parks…don’t do that 😅)
- The trail is about a mile round-trip, but don’t let the short distance fool you, it’s steep
- Bring sturdy walking shoes, not flip-flops or anything that slides around on your feet
- The trail does allow dogs, but keep them leashed and pay attention to posted rules
- Check the closing time before you start, because the gates do close and you don’t want to rush (like we did…sigh…)
- The falls are located near Helen, Georgia, inside the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
- Bring water, especially in warmer weather, because the climb will have you working
- This is doable in an afternoon, but give yourself at least two solid hours to enjoy it properly…I wish we’d had more than an hour!
- Restrooms are available near the trailhead, so use them before you start the climb
- The trail is paved, which makes it more accessible than your average forest hike
Now let me tell you why this hike was worth every penny of that $6 per person.
How We Almost Missed It
I have to admit something. We pulled into Anna Ruby Falls a little too close to the closing time. Not dangerously close, but close enough that we had to hustle.
I don’t recommend that approach. If you’re going to hike Anna Ruby Falls, give yourself at least two or three solid hours before close so you can take your time, snap pictures, and actually enjoy the experience without watching the clock. We were checking our watches the whole way up, which took some of the joy out of the climb.
Lesson learned. Plan ahead.
The Trail Itself
The trail is paved, which I appreciated. Anyone who’s hiked an unpaved trail with two small dogs in tow knows the struggle.
Baileys and Kahlua handled the path beautifully because there were no roots or loose gravel for their little legs to navigate around.
That said, paved does not mean easy. This trail is steep. Like, my calves were burning before we hit the quarter way point. We had to stop a few times to catch our breath, and I’m in pretty decent shape from all my Zumba classes and stretch routines.
If you have mobility issues, this hike will be tough. The pavement helps, but the grade is no joke. Take your time, take breaks, and bring water.
What You’ll See
Y’all. The falls.
Anna Ruby Falls is actually two waterfalls coming together. Two separate streams flow down two different cliffs and meet at the bottom to form one creek. It’s the kind of natural feature you don’t get to see every day, and the viewing platforms put you pretty darn close.
The sound was incredible. We could hear the water before we could see it, and the noise got louder with every step. By the time we reached the viewing area, the whole forest was filled with the rush of those two falls hitting the rocks below.
I took way too many pictures. I always do.
The Dogs Did Great
Baileys and Kahlua were absolute champions on this hike. The paved trail made the climb manageable for their tiny legs, and they were entertaining the other hikers along the way. Pomchis tend to draw a lot of attention, and these two are no exception.
If you’re a fellow pet parent thinking about whether to bring your dog, I’d say go for it on Anna Ruby Falls. Just make sure your dog is leashed, in good enough shape for the climb, and that the weather isn’t too hot. Pavement can heat up fast in summer months and burn little paws.
We had no issues with the pet rules at this location, which was a refreshing change after the stairs situation we ran into earlier in the day at Tallulah Gorge. But that’s a story for another post.
Parking and Fees
The parking fee at Anna Ruby Falls is $6 per person. For Jeremy and me, that was $12 total, which was honestly a steal for what we got out of it. Yes, everywhere online says $5…but we were told at the gate it was $6 per person…
The parking lot is a decent size, and we didn’t have any trouble finding a spot. That said, we were there on a Monday afternoon. I imagine weekends are a completely different story, especially during peak tourist season.
If you’re trying to do this hike on a weekend, get there early to avoid any potential headaches.
The Visitor Center
There’s a visitor center near the trailhead too, which is worth poking your head into if you have time. We didn’t get to spend much time there because we were racing the clock, but I caught enough to know it would have been a nice add-on to the hike if we’d planned better.
This is another reason to give yourself plenty of time. The visitor center is part of the full experience, and rushing past it felt like a missed opportunity.
What I’d Do Differently
If I could rewind and do this stop again, here’s what would change:
– I’d give us a full afternoon instead of squeezing it in.
– I’d pack more water.
– I’d take time to actually visit the visitor center.
– And I’d plan to do this hike before Tallulah Gorge, not after, so my legs would have more energy for the steep climb.
But honestly? Even with the rushed timing and the tired legs, Anna Ruby Falls was the best surprise stop on our entire road trip. And, if I’m completely honest…had the prettiest falls we saw on this trip!
Final Thoughts
If you’re driving toward Helen, Georgia and you see signs for Anna Ruby Falls, take the turn. Even if you weren’t planning on a hike. Even if your legs are tired. Even if you’re not totally sure how much daylight you have left.
Just maybe arrive a little earlier than we did so you don’t have to rush.
This stop reminded me of one of my favorite things about road tripping off-highway. You find places you never would have known about if you’d taken the interstate. Anna Ruby Falls would have stayed off our radar forever if we’d been zooming up the interstate instead of taking the back roads to Helen.
Two miles, a $12 parking fee, and one steep climb later, we walked away with one of my favorite memories from the entire trip. Not bad for an unplanned stop.
Now I just need to come back and do it right.
