Look at this view! Do I need to convince you why you should go visit? It's so peaceful and…read morebeautiful.

Another beautiful Georgia State Park, we spent most of the day exploring this park, it's another…read moreexample of what the people of Georgia can be so proud of. The ammenties here are nothing less than outstanding with beautifully maintained hiking trails and meticulous maintained common areas. We spent a week in the area and only sampled a small part of what's offer here but it definitely checks all the boxes for a return trip. The staff here was so gracious and was quick to answer all our questions and provided some helpful tips to make our visit enjoyable and was eager to share the history of the area. The landscape is a drastic change from what we experience in our home state of Florida with the higher elevations and moderate temperatures and humidity which made this visit special and a real treat I can't wait to return...

He came here late August 2026. The website said it was only…read moreopen until 5:00 p.m. We got there right at 4:30 and the guy said we could stay as long as we want because the arm to get out will open automatically. We paid $6 per person to get in we were able to check out the gift shop a little bit before it closed at 5:00 p.m. we walked up to the falls which is not paved but it's not a bad walk at all once you get to the top they Have some wood walkways that take you closer to the falls. I loved it because we were basically the only ones out there until another couple showed up and they helped us take photos of each other so that was good. We stayed for about 20 minutes and then headed back. I must see if you're in this area.

If you are visiting Helen, GA, be sure to place visiting Ruby Falls at the top of your list…read more Honestly, this was the best part of our stop in Helen. You gain access to the falls through Unicoi State Park & Lodge. Anna Ruby Falls are nestled in the Chattahoochee Oconee National Forest. It's about a 5-minute drive uphill through the park and once you reach gate to the Unicoi State Park there is a $6 per person (per carload) fee. Once past the gate they have a Visitor Center with a large parking lot, a clean restroom, and gift shop with some refreshments available. On the back side of the visitor area lays a massive patio overlooking Smith Creek. There is a wooden boardwalk to the right that follows the creek down for a short walk but it comes to an end and you must turn back; this area was really buggy (they kept going for my eyes). If you go to the left of the main entrance, you will start walking upward the trail to Ruby Falls. The path is not paved and there is no boardwalk leading to the falls until you are within a 200' or so of the falls. However, the path is wide and clear of most debris so you could get a stroller through here but I wouldn't recommend it because you will have to really work at it. It's a 1/2 mile walk to the falls and it's a continuous uphill climb to 219 feet of elevation. Once you do get to the boardwalk there are stairs leading upward to platforms where you can take photos and achieve better views of the falls. Note: You can bring your dog but they must be leashed. Anna Ruby Falls are stunning; they are essentially two separate creeks crashing down; Curtis Creek - drops 153 feet and York Creek - drops 50 feet, they come together to form Smith Creek which flows through the south of the mountains and into the Chattahoochee River. There are plenty of wonderful photo op areas here and it's a great way to get away from the touristy downtown area of Helen and experience the natural beauty Georgia has to offer. Nancy and I came late in the day, about an hour and a half before close and there was only one other couple up here with us, so we basically had the whole place to ourselves at one point so this was a magical experience for us. Anna Ruby Falls was the most memorable experience we had while in Helen, GA. I highly recommend going if you happen to be traveling through the area.

While the offices and displays weren't open on Sunday morning, it was awesome to find a clean…read morepublic restroom that was available. Two cups of coffee and it was needed! The facility is located on the Dahlonega public square and if it's not super busy, you should have no problem finding parking. [Review 20359 overall - 692 in Georgia - 1337 of 2023.]

THE VISITOR'S CENTER IN DAHLONEGA…read more When in town for the Gold Rush Festival or just to check out the local area, you must stop in at the Visitor's Center. It is located at the heart of the square and this is where all the magic happens. During the festival, this is a great place to grab a seat and take a break because they have benches along the front windows and a little covered seating area off to the side. The center is always staffed with friendly people who are eager to assist you with whatever you need, (recommendations, directions, a good clean joke). We stopped in to get additional information about things to see and do in the area and were surprised to find information on the Atlanta area. We collected this information as well because some of it was simply new to us. A small gift shop can also be found inside of the center. The visitor's center is my preferred pitstop when I need to go to the ladies room because the bathrooms are spacious and always clean. If nothing else, stop in to say "Hey!

Oconaluftee Visitor Center is a must-stop during your roadtrip through the beautiful Great Smoky…read moreMountains. There's plenty of parking, clean restrooms, an indoor museum with a gift shop, the Mountain Farm Museum, hiking trails, and a large pasture where you might have the opportunity to see elk. We had a quick stop over so we didn't get to explore too much of the area, especially because we had our dog with us and it was quite a hot day. The indoor museum was curated well and was informative on the life in the Appalachians. The gift shop was nice, well stocked, and had plenty of options. I always buy something from National Park centers as a donation. I bought a sticker, a patch, and a magnet. They also have stamps for your National Park Passports, too!

Coming from Cherokee, this is the first Visitor's Center you will find as you drive into the Great…read moreSmoky Mountains. You may see elk, there's a lot of signage mentioning them. You may see bears, so drive slowly and be prepared to stop (carefully!) for wildlife! The farm here was so peaceful and next to the stream, and there's a museum on site as well. There were baby birds screaming from a nest above the bathroom, too, which was bonus wildlife since I saw a bear slightly further in, but no elk this time!

We stopped at the Spur Welcome Center during our Smoky Mountain vacation and were impressed by how…read moremodern and updated the facility feels. The staff were friendly and helpful, and there were plenty of maps, brochures, coupons for local attractions, and souvenirs to browse while we planned our adventures. The location is one of its biggest advantages. Compared to the smaller downtown visitor center, I much prefer this one because it's easier to get in and out of, has ample parking, and feels less hectic than navigating the busy Parkway area. It's a convenient stop whether you're heading into Gatlinburg or the national park. One thing to note is the new park parking policy: if you park for more than 15 minutes inside the Smokies, you'll need to purchase a parking tag. I was initially a little frustrated by that, but I understand the need to help support park operations and visitor services. Later, I learned the parking tag revenue goes to the federal government (currently being used on DC projects) rather than staying at this specific visitor center or within the local community, which was disappointing to me personally. Overall, this is a clean, welcoming, and well-organized visitor center that makes a great first stop before exploring the Smokies.

The Gatlinburg Welcome Center is a good stop for local information and Great Smoky Mountains…read moreNational Park updates. We made several visits to the center to pick up maps, parking passes, shirts, post cards and gifts. The staff is super friendly, helpful and will answer questions. Prices are reasonable. They carry hiking and Park guides. I highly recommend picking up maps because internet connectivity is rarely available in the Park. Free maps are available and specialty guides are only $1. Restrooms are available at the Center. There is limited parking and a larger lot up the hill. We always found parking no matter what time of day that we visited. The Center is also a stop and provides parking to ride the free trolly that goes to Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg.

This is our first stop on the way home from Gatlinburg. Restrooms are clean, with paper towels, as…read morewell as a blow dryer. There are benches to sit on when you exit, and a lovely gift store next-door. There are still recycling receptacles in the parking lot, and complimentary poop bags for cleaning up after your dog. Past the parking area are places to eat under shaded alcoves.

This Visitor's Center is beautiful and clean, and is in a great location…read more The lady at the counter was helpful, and offered a map and brochure to assist us in finding our chosen activities. There is a room full of informative They have coffee and bottled water available at a charge.

Friendly and helpful staff that gave us a few nearby hiking options. We hiked the loop trail that…read morestarted from the parking lot. Not sure if we were not paying attention while chatting but we ended up in a neighborhood and had to backtrack ha! Helpful to have the bathrooms in the visitor center to pop into before or after a hike!

Nice visitors center but the park ranger that was working last Sunday was not particularly friendly…read moreor particularly willing to provide much advice on where to go or what to see. She said go South because you cant go North. I said what is there to see to the South and she said well ii. 3 hours you cant get to the Smoky Mountains. I gave up at that point and asked for a map.

Sugarland Visitor Center on the Tennessee side on Great Smoky Mountain National Park was crowded…read morewith visitors during my visit. The parking lot was full at 9:30 in the morning! The Center offers a nice exhibit of animals and plants that can be seen in the park. Rangers are available to help answer questions and help design Park itineraries for visitors. The Center is a perfect place to pick up maps and other Park info. We bought parking passes and I picked up several cool walking sticks in the gift shop to give as gifts. Prices on some items were reasonable. The staff were super friendly despite the crowds. There are rest rooms available...the last real restrooms before entering the Park. Outside, are little "gardens" featuring native Park vegetation. Addition parking is being added. Every visitor to the Park should plan a stop at the Center. Plan 30 minutes to an hour.

A nice stop along the way into the National Park. Parking is a bit tough because it seems to…read morealways be busy. The museum inside is worth a look. The gift shop is really nice and has a large variety of things for purchase.

Really nice and well maintained stop along our route.. clean bathrooms and staff on site to give…read moreyou any help with info or routes or things to do.

The ladies inside were pleasant and cheerful. It's Sunday, 3/17/24, and one is dressed in her St…read more Patrick's Day green. She reminded us to sign one of the several visitor sign in sheets. If lots of people visit and sign, it keeps the center staffed and well maintained. The bathrooms were clean. I had to hunt for the soap - two, one on each side of the sinks. If you don't like the air hand dryers, bring a small towel. I did. Inside, Husband took a photo of me in the peach sign. He declined to have his photo with the bulldog. There are lots of pamphlets and books to take for more information about Georgia. Outside, the plum trees are in bloom.

At 6643 feet, Clingmans Dome, now known by its Cherokee name, Kuwohi, is the highest point in the…read moreGreat Smoky Mountains National Park. My visit to Kuwohi was a highlight of my visit to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The drive up to the summit is breathtaking. There are several overlooks along the way to stop and enjoy the views. When we arrived, it was about 20 degrees colder than in Gatlinburg and it was very windy. Fortunately, we had dressed warm for the hike. The half mile trail is paved and accessible, however, the climb is straight up and was very difficult for some people. At the top of the trail we passed the Appalachian Trail. Then we found a fantastic Mid Century concrete spiral structure to climb. At the top, is an observation deck with placards describing the magnificent views of Tennessee and North Carolina. The modern observation deck was completed in 1960, replacing a wooden structure. Thomas Lanier Clingman was one of the early explorers that mapped the region in the 1850's. Kuwohi was (and still is) a sacred mountain of the Cherokee people. The mountain held Magic Lake that is believed to have healing powers for those who value the earth and its people. Parking permits are required to park in the large lot. Permits can be purchased on site for $5/day. Restroom facilities are available, but no running water. A nearby Visitors Center sells maps, shirts and other hiking gear. Kuwohi is a must visit on a trip to SMNP. Bring warm clothes (gloves, hat, etc). Cell tower reception is poor, so maps are helpful.

This stop has been on my list for awhile, and I'm not really sure how I hadn't made it yet…read moreconsidering the amount of times I've road tripped to the Smokies... but here we are! Got to see a bear on the way coming from Oconaluftee, which meant the day was perfect no matter what else happened. The weather was a little rainy, scattered storms here and there, and the cloud cover wasn't great for a great view from the overlook, but.... The parking lot view was still excellent, and the overlook itself was cool to see, and there was a Passport stamp station and Visitor Center, loads of camp style restrooms, with plenty of parking, so, absolutely worth the stop!