I came here on a very hot summer day with the plans to see some waterfalls. We got here around…read more8:30am which I believe is when the park opens. We took the South Rim (At least I think it was the South Rim) and went to all 5 viewing points which is a flat walk and a round trip of about 1.5 miles. Then we went down into the Gorge which includes 1,099 steps (actual staircase) to the bottom and of course that many steps back up. You can't go all the way to the Gorge floor without a permit but that just means you can only walk down 1,089 steps to a platform. There are plenty of places to stop including a very cool suspension bridge that overlooks Hurricane Falls. This was pretty tough for a 50-year-old fat boy like me but it's doable if you can simply climb stairs. The views are amazing and worth the quads burning for the next 3 days. The visitor's center is really nice. There is of course a gift shop. a huge display of taxidermy of all the local wildlife and a very nice museum that goes through the history of the region. The most important part is they have air conditioning. Suck it up, take the stairs and buy the t-shirt saying you did it when you are done.

The visitor center is phenomenal! Movie was down for some reason. The gift shop has loads to choose…read morefrom and the rest rooms were clean and there were many stalls available. There is almost a museum quality to the taxidermy animal scene they have in the middle of the room and along the walls. Truly a special visit! The hike to see the inspirational point and the swinging bridge wasn't too strenuous for my 4 or 5 year old for people's reference when considering it. We are an active family who hikes etc. There were a lot of warnings but we found it wasn't as bad as it seemed.

Nice little playground for getting our kids' energy out on a long car trip. There's a shaded…read morepavilion in the back of the park, which is a nice respite from the otherwise unshaded playground. Well maintained bathrooms.

Overall great hike. A few steep sections but nothing too crazy. Beautiful scenery the whole way…read more Would recommend for anyone looking for a solid outdoor experience.

My partner and I recently visited Clarksville for a spontaneous hiking trip. Panther Creek Trail…read morewas at the very top of our list and we were not disappointed. At first we were worried that the trail would be closed due to the storm damage that occurred during the prior year but we drove by and there were multiple parties going in and out of the trail so we figured we would go for it! This trail is long and arduous, so be prepared! Us Floridians definitely overestimated our hiking abilities but we still got it done (thankfully). Bring around 2L per person or more if it's a hot day. We started on a Friday around 2pm and finished by 6:30pm and clocked in a total of 8 miles round trip. If you can go earlier, I highly recommend doing so to have plenty of light. There's two main parts of the trail where the bridges were damaged and removed. In one section, there's several logs that lay across the stream. Find a big stick, and scramble across. In the second section, the water is shallow enough to walk across without the possibility of getting your legs wet. But even if you get wet, both sections are not deeper than your ankle. I don't know if I'd recommend this for children as there are multiple sudden drop offs but more power to you if your family can do this! If you are a hiker, this does not disappoint!

This is the best waterfall we got to visit in SC this far. After we left Reedy Branch Falls we…read moredrove here. Well, as close as we could get. I didn't realize that we couldn't drive all the way to the trailhead so we had a long hike in store due to me having to carry my toddler most of the time. I should have re-read the previous reviews before coming. My friend did help me carry her as well and for that I was very thankful. So definitely don't recommend this hike with a little one unless strapped in a carrier. Also, I don't recommend it for the elderly either. It's definitely a wilderness hike deal with roots and elevation change. In fact, it's mostly downhill on the way to the falls, but on the way back it's pretty much all uphill, which was not fun with aforementioned young child. It's about a half mile to the actual trailhead and then another 0.7 mile to the falls. That's about 2.4 miles round trip. The reason of course that my boys absolutely became enamored with this place is the large swimming hole. It is wonderful and has plenty of space. The waterfall itself is beautiful and although it's not as tall as others, its width is quite impressive. I was trying to get as close as I could and even noticed a hidden part of the falls inside of the rock structure. That was so cool!! The sand at the base and shore give it a beachy vibe. We definitely packed it in and out making sure not to leave anything behind as to preserve the area as best as possible. Needless to say we were wiped by the time we made it back to our vehicles, but we're still glad we decided to venture here. Coming back with my hubby and boys in the very near future. Happy yelping!

I just wanted to update my 3/15/20 review below to add I've now done this hike several times, but…read moreTHIS time I had the chance to hike it with a friend who is directly related to the namesake of the waterfall... Riley Moore. Sandie is a church friend of mine and Riley Moore was her Great Great Uncle (I believe that's right). He once upon a time operated a grist mill here at the top of the falls. She's been trying to get here to see the waterfall, but couldn't find it and wanted to join us (along with her family) since I knew the way. Upon further research I discovered there are actually still remnants of the mill including visible drill holes, spikes and bolts. Thought that was pretty cool info to share! [ [ [ PREVIOUS REVIEW ] ] ] Riley Moore Falls is small in height but HUGE in personality. It's located off State Road S37-748, which is a nicely maintained gravel road where cars and trucks alike can comfortably traverse. ~~~ DIRECTIONS From Westminster, SC - DO NOT turn onto Cobb Bridge Road from Long Creek Hwy (Hwy 76) where you will see the brown & white sign pointing you in the direction of Riley Moore Falls. Our GPS had us go this way, then left onto State Road S37-748, but the road was CLOSED during our visit! INSTEAD, turn onto PU-32 also known as Rocky Fork Road. Turn left onto a gravel road near Rocky Fork Baptist Church and follow that until it dead ends @ State Road S37-748 (also known as Spy Rock Road). Turn right and drive approx. 1.4 miles (4 minutes) to 748c (aka Riley Moore Shoals Road). Park at the intersection of State Road S37-748 and 748c. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DRIVE 748c in a car or minivan. Low clearance vehicles will find the terrain on this road to be VERY difficult to navigate without bottoming out or getting stuck. I'd also recommend 4x4 capability on wet days! There can be several deep-pocketed muddy areas after heavy rains. ~~~ THE TRAIL Once you reach the intersection of Spy Rock Rd (S37-748) and 748c, park roadside on Spy Rock, secure your vehicle and begin your hike approx. 1/2 mile down the "primitive road." IF you have a high ground clearance SUV or truck, you can drive the primitive road another half mile or so to a second parking area near the trailhead. The primitive road is VERY BUMPY  and can be muddy in spots after heavy rains, so a 4x4 is best. After reaching the second parking area, follow the marked trail on the left!!! The trail is a little over a 1/2 mile to the falls from here. The trail is fairly straightforward and easy to follow. ~~~ THE FALLS Once you reach the Chauga River, you will notice a large sandy area with plenty of room for an entire horde of hikers!!! Riley Moore Falls is not very tall (only about 12 feet), but it is very wide and has a deep base pool. PRO TIP - Bring swimwear, towels and a picnic, but be sure to pack it in and pack it out. ~~~ THINGS TO KNOW Hiking Distance: 2 miles (round trip to falls from S37-748) Difficulty of hiking 748c: All downhill to trailhead (moderate return) Difficulty of hiking trail to falls: EASY Creek Crossings: NO Elevation Gain: 357 feet Waterfall Height: Approx 12 feet Access to top of falls: NO - not without getting wet Access to base of falls: YES Pool of water @ base of Falls: YES Sitting areas @ base: YES + sandy beach RESTROOMS: NO PARKING: YES (along road) + secondary parking area closer to trailhead for trucks and high ground clearance vehicles with room for about 6 cars. ~~~ [ FINAL THOUGHTS ] A lovely waterfall in any season, but also a great spot for a summer swim. While we had the waterfall practically to ourselves during our Mid-March expedition, be advised other trail website reviews say it gets trashy & crowded in summer months. What a shame if that is true because it truly is a treasure. ENJOY! 2022 / 74 #UPDATE 178

Worth every step! Follow the trail, listen for the water, and let the mountains do the rest…read more Minnehaha Falls is the kind of beauty you have to slow down to truly see.

Minnehaha falls is a hidden gem!…read more The trail is very short, about half a mile, so very doable and more than friendly for beginners. There are a lot of roots on the unpaved path but it's not a challenging trek. The part I would be most careful about is the end, as it can be slippery on the wet rocks closest to the waterfall. The waterfall itself is very large (larger than what pictures make it seem even) and nice to look at. The parking situation is very minimal - it's really just space off the side of the road for a few cars to park in. The drive there is nice, and you can see many old lake houses alongside the river.

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...

These falls are gorgeous. But they you will need an suv to ford the river on sandy ford road to get…read moreto trailhead. Currently the bridge to dicks creek is out and you have to either walk on stopping stones, walk on a tree log across or get in the water. All options are worth it as you will love seeing these falls and sitting ththere for hours. So plan ahead and u won't be ddisappointed

There are two things about Georgia that make me scratch my head. One would be some of the old laws…read morethat are still on the books here, such as: 1) It is illegal to keep a donkey in a bathtub. 2) No one may carry an ice cream cone in their back pocket on a Sunday. 3) In Atlanta, it is against the law to tie a giraffe to a telephone pole or street lamp. WHAT'S IN A NAME? The other thing that makes me scratch my head is how notorious Georgia is for having several places with the same name. Metro Atlanta has over 200 streets with the name Peachtree. Also, if you are looking at a map leading to THIS waterfall, you will notice a town by the name of Pine Mountain in the upper right corner of the state. However, there is also a town by the same name one hour south of Atlanta. Similarly, there are two Dick's Creek (as if one weren't enough) and both have waterfalls bearing their name. The other is "smaller", located about 55 miles east of these falls and is a gorgeous 20-foot multi-tiered waterfall with a swimming hole at the base of the final drop. It is (in my opinion) one of the best-looking waterfalls in Georgia and no hiking required to reach it. You can practically park on the upper tier and find your way down to the swimming hole below. A small waterfall that proves its how you use it that counts. THE HIKE THIS Dick's Creek Falls (located in Rabun County) is much taller @ 60' and looks like a giant Slip n' Slide. To get to the waterfall you must travel Sandy Ford Road until it intersects with the Bartram Trail. Follow the trail north until you cross Dick's Creek. Turn right after crossing the first foot bridge and when you see a second foot bridge on your right, cross it also and continue to follow the trail straight. There will be a small opening on the right side of the trail that leads you to the top of the falls. The vantage point here will allow you to see upstream of the Chattooga River. Continue a few hundred feet down the trail to find an opening that leads you into the Chattooga River. I did not find a direct trail to the base of the falls, but from this opening expect to get your feet wet! You must get wet IF you want a great photo of the falls. But don't fret, the view downstream and upstream on the river is actually more beautiful than the waterfall itself. The river bends and cascades 100 yards from the base of the falls and creates a very unique photo opportunity. The Chattooga River was not deep or raging the day I visited, so the current was mild. It only came as high as my thigh as I crossed over the weirdly hairy stones and a sandy bottom, which I suppose is where Sandy Ford Road gets its name. Upstream I could see kayakers approaching and on the dry boulders near the rivers bend there were sunbathers. The most attractive thing about Dick's Creek Falls is the area surrounding the falls is simply one of the best looking of any of the waterfalls I've been to in the state. Picturesque is the only world that comes to mind. NOTES: While driving to the trailhead, if you stay on Sandy Ford Road past the trail entrance it will lead to a beach-like area off the Chattooga River. This area is downstream of the falls. Also, there are only three places a vehicle could park comfortably near the trailhead. [ DIRECTIONS ] From US-23 (Hwy 441) in Clayton, Georgia travel east on Rickman Road. In 1/2 a mile it will merge into Warwoman Road. 5.3 miles from here make a slight right onto Sandy Ford Road. Stay right and follow it down to the small concrete bridge over Warwoman Creek. Stay on this road approximately 3.2 miles to the Bartram Trailhead (you will see wooden signs). Follow the trailhead to the left of the road as you drove in. The trail to the right will take you back to Warwoman Dell and NOT towards the falls. Once on the trail, make a sharp right after you cross the first foot bridge then another right when you see a second footbridge and follow the sounds of rushing water. Overall trail is about 1.2 miles round trip and not very steep. FINAL THOUGHTS A beautiful waterfall and a even more beautiful natural area to bring the family on a hike (and play in the water). Just know there is no easy way to get a full and unobstructed photo of the falls without walking out into the Chattooga River. I did see what seemed to be an unsanctioned side trail to the base, but it was steep and didn't at all look safe. Another option would be to bring your own kayak and launch from further upstream. Here also is a link to the OTHER Dick's Creek Falls just in case you have a little more adventure in you after your visit: https://www.yelp.com/biz/dicks-creek-falls-cleveland?osq=Dick%27s+Creek+Falls 2018/56

Definitely a unique experience! The Stumphaus Tunnel is an unfinished tunnel in Walhalla, SC, ,…read morecut through a portion of Stumphaus Mountain. It was started in 1853 and Irish miners dug using hand drills; however it was never finished due in part to the Civil War. All ages can easily walk the tunnel. There was even a dog in the group ahead of us. It is completely black inside so I suggest visiting with a group and bringing a flashlight. There was nothing scary......just total darkness! It's not super long......walking all the way to the end and back took less than 30 minutes. Admission to the park was $5 for a car of 5 of us and there was free parking right near the entrance. We also walked to the viewing area of Issaqueena Falls which is just a short trek away. Very cool experience overall!

The tunnel is cool, but very short. The trails make up for it and the waterfalls are a great sight…read more No wait time, no reservations recommended, price to entry $1-5. But make sure you have a flashlight with you to go into the tunnels and the waterfalls is so pretty. I recommend this to anyone who want to adventure.

You can find Yahoola Creek Park at 464 Mechanicsville Rd Dahlonega, GA 30533 - this is on the…read moredownward east slope from downtown Dahlonega and about a mile from campus. You could probably walk it but the elevation change might be extreme for those that aren't fit. There's parking at the main trail entrance and a small parking pull-off west on Mechanicsville Dr. I had no issues parking at the main lot which also has public restrooms. I traveled to Dahlonega for a wedding held at Wolf Mountain Vineyards and decided to leave early and get my bearings (also check in at the local IHG/Holiday Inn Express and get cleaned up). This hike was right up my ally - close to the Hotel, about 3 miles and not too strenuous. It's mapped as: Yahoola Creek Reservoir Trail" - facing the main parking lot it's North - to the left side with the restrooms to the South side. It's marked on maps as the "red trail" at 3.1 miles. The trail starts with a gravel path until you get around the low areas then climbs upward under a leafy canopy moving clockwise around the lake. You get the typical elevation changes as you move through small hollars, then a ridgeline (you can see the lake through the trees) continuing around until you get to the mouth of the creek (lowest point) - there's a swing that probably gave you a great view before all the Kudzu took over. Moving around you get back to another low area where you can get down to the water for a view, before coming onto the dam (you walk across it) and back to the parking area. There's an optional blue trail that adds 1.7 miles that I would have taken if I had more time. In all, quite a lovely hike with only a couple of elevation points that some might find strenuous but no hard rocks/boulders to overcome. Those in Dahlonega are very lucky to have this resource - I'll be exploring the other trails the next time I'm in the area.

Fantastic fun outside with lots of space to run and be free. Fun playgrounds and splash pad during…read morethe summer or just play in the creek. One of our favorite spots!

Great place! The guy at the visitors center was really nice and gave us information about the…read moretrails! The trails are very nice, and you can see lots of things along the way! 10/10

Venue Smithgall Woods State Park ( Smithgall Cottages) 5 out of 5 stars…read more After copious amounts of research and several venue tours, we decided on Smithgall Woods state park, and more specifically the cottages as the venue for our wedding on June 8th. We just have to say we loved the team we worked with at Smithgall, mainly Todd, Patty, and Art. Todd at Guestservices was simply fantastic! As he will be quick to mention "the venue sells itself", however having him as our man on the inside was a pretty huge selling point on its own. He was with us every step of the way to answer our plethora of questions, work with vendors, and generally keep our minds at ease. Honestly, I doubt the wedding weekend would have gone as smoothly and been as much of a success had it not been for Todd's guidance and cooperation. The venue is magical. I know how that sounds, but it's the truth. It's tucked away deep in the beautiful North Georgia mountains, surrounded by a lush forest teaming with wildlife. This majestic property consists of five "cottages", in quotations because they are more like log cabin style mansions. The two largest being; the expansive 4 bedroom 4.5 bathroom cottage called the Smithgall Cottage, and the even larger 5 bedroom 5 bathroom Dover cottage. The Creekside Cottage is 3 bedrooms, and The Laurel and Garden cottages are one bedroom cottages with hot tubs on secluded side porches. All the cottages were clean, modern, and a huge hit with our guests. We were able to house both our families, close friends and wedding party all on the same property. Which saved us a great deal on lodging. Which after factoring in the cost of rooms made this one of the more affordable wedding venues out there. Also you get it for the whole weekend!!! We used the Smithgall Cottage for our wedding location due to the large wrap around porch and decks, and also due to the picturesque, covered foot bridge under which flows a gorgeous champion trout stream. We had some difficulty deciding where on this property to hold our ceremony because it is simply lovely all over. Unfortunately, the record rainfall that weekend made the decision for us. Even though the storms limited our use of the enormous field in front of the Dover cottage, and the gardens next to Smithgall we still were able to comfortably host our 50 or so guests and dozen vendors, at the Smithgall Cottage and our ceremony and reception went along wonderfully. We would highly recommend this venue to anyone wishing to have a once in a lifetime event at a once in a lifetime location.