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

Panther Creek Recreation Area - Good hike today. Simple, relaxing, and Fun. - Hiking Near Me

My partner and I recently visited Clarksville for a spontaneous hiking trip. Panther Creek Trail was 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! read more

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UPDATE - 3/21/2020 HIKE The trail has been greatly improved with the construction of new stone stairs leading to the base of the falls AND a new route that takes you much more safely around the big stone outcrop overlooking the cascades above the falls. The descent to the base was once so bad that my wife refused to try (twice). This hike was the 1st time she ever made it all the way down. ALSO, they cleared many areas of heavy brush (especially at the beginning of the hike) and opened up other areas along the river. There were at least two areas perfect for photos that I don't remember being there on previous hikes. I was VERY IMPRESSED with the work they put into these improvements. There are still a few treacherous areas that could desperately use railing, but overall the changes make a big difference!!! ~~~ PREVIOUS REVIEW [modified] Looking for a challenging yet rewarding hike? Panther Creek is a calorie burner for sure!!! At 7 miles round trip, it is a fairly moderate hike to the falls as you scramble over roots, rocks, overgrowth and other hazards along the trail. But but once you cross the bridge to the other side of the creek, it gets much smoother until it begins to elevate near the falls. The hike back to the parking area will be far more of a workout and proved to be a bit tougher in reverse. Since my first visit in 2013, the trail has gotten extremely popular. I would often only see a handful of people at the falls or along the trail back then, but it has become incredibly crowded since. The crowd at the falls can easily reach 60 to 100 people on a hot summer Saturday... not counting the various full campsites along the way. Many trail repairs that I complained about in my previous review have been made, but still improvements on the narrow steep cliffs could use some work. However, in one of the most dangerous sections of the trail where there is a cliff side drop of 25+ feet, the railing is holding strong. ~~~ STATS AT A GLANCE: Hiking Distance - 7 miles (roundtrip) Difficulty - 4 out of 10 Bridged Crossings - 4 + a few small wet streams Hike time - 1.5 to 2 hours each way depending on your stamina Elevation Gain: 200+ feet Waterfall Height: 40' approx Access to top of falls: YES Access to base of falls: YES Pool of water @ base of falls: YES Sitting Area @ base: YES + beach & huge camping area Camping areas: Several along trail RESTROOMS: YES @ parking PARKING: YES (40+ cars) [ NOTES ] * Can get very very crowded on the weekends, so come early. * Can be muddy & slippery in areas * Trail continues beyond the falls all the way to Yona Dam. However, this section of the trail adds 4.7 miles round trip and is rated difficult and far less maintained. I hiked about half a mile of it before turning back due to extreme overgrowth and fear of injury on this less populated route. * Good sized parking lot, but not for its popularity. Get there early or park along the road. [ THINGS TO SEE ] * Stone cliffs, cave like indentations in rock, river views, lots of flora and of course a gorgeous waterfall said to be created by the fault line it sits on. * Other Photo Op's - Be sure to stop at the area just above the falls for a picturesque view of the cascades. There are several gorgeous cascades and points of interest along the creek. * Beautiful cascade near the parking area perfect to decompress from the long hike. * There is a large secret waterfall off one of the tributaries that I hope to find and report soon ;-) ~~~ FINAL THOUGHTS Panther Creek Falls has it all!!! A trail that gives you a great workout, beautiful scenic views, a beach, parking w/restrooms and one of the most beautiful heavy flow waterfalls in all of Georgia! The improvements on the descent to the base make this a winner again, but other trail improvements are still much needed. Some cliff-side drops are near slippery, muddy areas and extreme caution should be taken, especially with children. 2020 / 20 read more

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We parked our car on the street and got back after dark around 9pm. Make sure to take a headlamp if going back to the falls late. This was a very technical trail with roots and rocks all along the trail. My wife almost fractured he ankle on the way back so we took it easy after that happened. A group of 3 people that had passed us hiking back to the trailhead got slowed down also because one of them twisted their ankle also. You have to pay attention with eyes to the ground most of the time. If you're not good at this it's best for you to just stop to take in the scenery so you don't get injured. The falls were beautiful! It was a bit crowded but not too bad. This would be a great hike out and camp spot but make sure to set your tent downstream from the falls so you're not interrupted by visitors. Excellent trail all in all! read more

Panther Creek Recreation Area - Hiking Near Me

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Wanderlust-er. Hike this now. Panther Creek Falls' seven-mile (3.5 there and back) trail ranks as my favorite hike in Georgia. Physically, mentally, and spiritually challenging? Check. Hovering/ Lord of the Ring-talking trees? Possibly. Stunning, bathe-worthy waterfall ideal for the summertime and bombing your friends' Instagram feeds? YES. Going now? Nice! Things to know: ***** I. LOGISTICS: - Being from Atlanta, the drive from Atlanta is about 2.5 hours (and worth it every time). - It's a bit dangerous when wet (that's what she said). Check the weather, often, before your planned hike. - Consider downloading an offline map to account for spotty cell phone service. - Parking outside of the entrance is free (and on the highway). - Hiking alone took a bit more than an hour and a half each way. Plan on spending at least an hour or two at the waterfall, too. II. RECOMMENDED CLOTHING & EQUIPMENT: - Tennis shoes with grip or hiking boots. - A liter or two of water. - A bathing suit. - Small/ medium-sized towel. - Snacks. III. THE TRAIL: I think of it in three parts: PART I: The first "section" has somewhat challenging changes in elevation, and it runs high above the river. Know that there will be times where you'll have to climb a few steep rocks. If you're not somewhat fit, be prepared! Also, watch out for the roots protruding from the ground. One snag may cause serious injury. PART II: The trail becomes mostly flat making it easy to hike (while hugging the river). This section seems to last forever, but once you start ascending in elevation, know you're getting closer to Part III. PART III: The trail then becomes a bit more treacherous. You'll hike up cliffsides with guard rails, which don't look safe. (They're barely adequate.) Then you'll steeply descend/ climb down rocks into Panther Creek Falls. You're probably going to use your hands a bit here. Be prepared to get dirty! ABOUT THE FALLS: This breathtaking, three-to-four story high waterfall will make you smile. I suggest getting buck-naki behind a tree, throwing on your swimsuit, and bathing underneath this sucker. There's also a beautiful pool of water ideal for swimming. Take all the time you want there. You deserve it, hiker, you. OVERALL: Panther Creek Falls is ideal for anyone looking for a serious workout or who considers themselves a waterfall chaser. I'd do this hike every week if I lived in the north part of Georiga. read more

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Beautiful shaded walking trail, steady footing unless your on the bike trails. Will be back next time I'm in town

I've always wanted to go to Panther Creek Falls from looking at Instagram photos. I was up for the challenge but little did I know how much more difficult it was than I thought. It is mostly due to the wet grounds, slippery rock surfaces, big tree roots, and narrow passage ways. I had to put my phone away in my back pack, just in case my clumsy self dropped it 10 ft deep when hiking up the narrow, tree rooted passage ways. Overall, it is not a difficult hike.....but only towards the end. Plus factor in the day we went. A day (or two) after rain, colder weather, and on top of that, it started raining on the way back. I wouldn't recommend young kids to come on the hike. When I say this, I am thinking about my friends with young kids who run around and need supervision. This ain't no state park with paved sidewalks. You might as well go to Anna Ruby Falls for that. Usually when I go hiking, the walk on the way back is usually faster but not at Panther Creek Falls. Maybe it is due to the fact that it was still raining and wasn't going to stop. I am glad it wasn't a monsoon but being wet and cold was not very comfortable. I am very very very grateful for Richard R & Jamarcus T for organizing the Off the Grid Hiking Trip #3. Without the guys who have been here numerous times before, being great hosts and guides, I do not think I would have enjoyed it as much. Plus I got to see great pics taken during the trip with a DSLR. Thank you Richard! I am glad I came. Panther Creek Falls is checked off my Georgia waterfall hiking bucket list! 2017 Review #18 read more

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Panther creek is one of those trails where your fun can really be dependent on the weather. I saw several reviews on other sites that mentioned that panther creek was an easy to moderate trail, and when dry, I can see that, but when it's wet, you'll work a little more to not slip and fall Richard R and I took on this hike when it was misting to sprinkling raining on an early Saturday morning, and while neither of us were really huffing and puffing at any point of the trail (not until we hit a few spots on the way up and out), I don't think either of us I were anticipating slick wet rock faces that you could have a very hard time getting past without sliding off of. Panther creek has an elevation grade of right around 860 feet, give or take, but the elevation changes are never so ridiculous that you'll not have a great time. I'd say about 1.5 miles in you'll hit a branching of the trails, and i'd strongly suggest to hang to the left, closest to the water, because you'll fall in love with some of the water rushing at and past you! The water flows at almost white water rafting level (i'm not sure if anyone has rafted/kayaked it) and looks/sounds impressive along each leg of the trail Getting to the bottom of the trail is a delight, as the falls, while not tall, are very full, very powerful and they dump out into still waters that you probably will take countless photos of. It's really worth the hike. Couple of things to note. 1) This probably isn't as groomed of a trail as more well traveled trails, or state parks, which isn't a bad thing! You're also likely to only encounter a handful of hikers along the trail, again, not bad 2) When it's wet, or icy, you really should go with somebody, as there are several areas where you can really slip and hurt yourself (I know, most hikers are loners...just saying). 3) I saw both dogs (leashed) and kids along the hike. While I think all are fair game during dry times, i'd be a little cautious during wet weather to bring either. 3) Don't be afraid of the mileage. It's not a taxing hike at all until you hit a few of the elevation changes, but even then, you should be fine. This was my first time hiking Panther Creek, definitely wont be the last, and I had a great time. Thanks for the invite Richard! read more

I've been on this trail a few times (6+) and I thought I could handle its difficulty after being abroad for a year, but I was kinda wrong. I guess I lost my badass hiking skills after not hiking for a year. I slipped twice, got some bruises and scratches, but I did manage to finish the hike in 2 hours and 30 minutes (1 hour and 15 minutes per way). I always go on the 3.5 mile trail on way to the waterfall and back since there is a lack of visible trail after that point since not many hike further to the dam. THE TRAIL: At the beginning, the trail is somewhat narrow with inclines and declines throughout. But, it gets more spacious and easier once you see the first bridge. There are four small bridges on the trail and if you stumble upon the first one after 30 minutes in, the trail gets easier. But, after the fourth bridge, it gets pretty intense. Because of the weather and natural degradation, you'll notice that some railings may have been damaged due to fallen trees. So, be cautious. I went when it rained the day before, so it was moist and slippery in certain areas---which was why I fell twice. In terms of difficulty, it's moderate but there are definitely some rough spots that you have to overcome. PARKING: If you want to avoid paying the parking fees of $3, park near the sign to the entrance of the road or on both sides of the road. Don't go and park inside. REST AREA: There are no official benches or tables for you to rest at, but you can sit along some rocks, watch the water runs through the stream and rehydrate or have a picnic. You can also camp here, which I've done before. WATERFALLS: There are a few waterfalls leading up to the big one at the end of the 3.5 mile and when you're there, you can swim, camp, eat, and explore the area. But if you do decide to spend the night there, bring blankets because it got super cold once the sun sets--even when it's in the middle of the summer and super hot during the day. Overall, this trail sparked my love for hiking, so I definitely recommend this for anyone who loves nature and hiking. read more

Panther Creek Recreation Area - Hiking Near Me

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Went here with a group of friends after we failed to get Tallulah Gorge passes (Gorge Floor Passes) at nearby Tallulah Gorge State Park. We were told our best bet for next time was to come on a week day for greatest chance to get a pass. Panther Creek Hiking Trail is nearby and a great alternate option in the event you cannot get the Gorge Floor Pass at Tallulah Gorge State Park. Panther Creek Hiking Trail is a challenging hike to be sure; however, it is also a great trail with beautiful water falls (for swimming / wading) at the end. Friends of mine have camped alongside the trail overnight. You park in the lot on one side of the highway and cross the highway to get to the trail entrance. At the trail entrance you will see the sign which reads that the Panther Creek Hiking Trail is 3.5 miles to the falls and 3.5 miles back. You have some steep hilly climbs with a few flat stretches along the creek. There are a plethora of reviews here (and Stephie Z's in particular is accurate and typical ) so I'm not going to go into much more detail. Many other reviewers have already written about the warnings regarding how treacherous some areas of this trail are. Also note that many parts of the trail are moderately difficult to traverse. You really have to be in good physical shape! Plan on two plus hours in and two plus hours to get back out. You need good trail running shoes or light hiking boots; Many stretches of the trail require crossing streams with wet stones and rock cliff outcroppings. The hilly parts have protruding tree roots and many stretches require stooping, grasping and very careful foot placement. Some surfaces become very slippery if the rocks are wet from rain or water runoff. The trail gets very steep in quite a few places. I would say this trail is not a good trail for older dogs or small children. The trail is definitely not good for geriatric adults either or those adults who are not in good physical / athletic shape. Panther Creek Hiking Trail is definitely not good for those afraid of heights (as parts of this trail contain precipices that are very steep and there are many drop-offs to consider). Otherwise take it for what it is; a stunning piece of Georgia nature. Perhaps really deserves 5 stars; however, due to the challenging nature that this trail presents for some. I am going to dispense 4stars (I doubt this will hurt them). read more

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Normally, I hike the AT, but decided to go to a new place for an easy day hike. The waterfall was an awesome change from my normal hikes. I suggest bringing lunch, your dog, bathing suit, and a towel especially since summer is here. You can easily enjoy a few hours here before you hike back. It's a pretty easy hike about 3-4 on a scale of 10. read more

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Length: ~7 Miles Difficulty: Mostly Moderate. There isn't too much elevation but you'll definitely feel like you did some work to complete the trail. ~3 hours to complete, expect longer if wet. Dog Friendly: Experienced dogs only. There are a couple areas that require moderate climbing. Sights: Trail itself is pretty anti-climatic with few sights to see but completely worth it to reach the end. The waterfall is beautiful and a great spot to hang out for awhile - bring your swim suit and jump in. Summary: A must visit hiking trail in Georgia if you like waterfalls. Put it on your list. read more

Awesome hike!! I found this hike as we were taking a road trip through the U.S. (On Yelp). I'm always excited when the hike has a waterfall at the end to look forward to! I believe the hike was 7.5 miles or 8 miles round trip which wasn't bad at all. It was a little humid, but we didn't mind. The trails are heavily trafficked, you can't really get lost if you follow the trail... GREAT HIKE, with a WATERFALL! read more

Panther Creek Recreation Area - Hiking Near Me

I have been on many hikes in Georgia, and this was by far my favorite. Although I want to give credit to the amazing group I went with (shout out OTG hikers club woot woot!), it wasn't just them that made this hike great. The hike is ranked as 'moderate' and I guess that depends what your personal scale is. What makes this hike difficult is mostly because of the terrain... it gets bumpy and slippery in places with a narrow walkway and not much to separate you from the cliffs... except some broken railings. HINT: DONT LEAN ON THOSE UNLESS YOU TEST THE SECURITY FIRST. Otherwise, the hike itself isn't too bad, only a few steep uphills. eEther way, You should never go alone and even though we saw many kids there, I wouldn't bring mine (if i had any.. haha) You will get dirty on the hike and there are several areas you need to use your arms or get low, which I love. Those are my favorite kind of hikes! To get to the last waterfall it gets pretty steep but it's totally worth it. I didn't get to spend as much time down there as I wanted because it started to rain but overall was a gorgeous and fun hike. read more

One of my favorite day hikes! Panther Creek Falls is about 1 1/2 hours from downtown Atlanta. Head north up 85, then bear left onto 985 towards Gainseville and Tallulah Falls. 985 will eventually turn into 441. After about 45 minutes on 985 look for a Kangaroo gas station on your left. About 3 or 4 streets after that will be Travis Smith Rd. Turn left on to Travis Smith. Make your first and only right onto Old Hwy 441 and less than 1 mile down on your left you will see Panther Creek Recreation Area. Park in the lot (there are bathrooms there). Then walk back out and cross 441. The trail head starts across the street- you will see a sign for Panther Creek Falls. The reasons to hike this trail are A) it's gorgeous B) there are large falls at the end and C) you can swim in the bottom of the falls. I would consider the trail to be of moderate difficulty. I have seen plenty of older folks hiking so I don't think it is too tough, but right before the falls there are some pretty heavy rock areas that you have to scramble over and some sharp drop offs where you will want to pay great attention to where you put your feet. Oh and make sure you follow the green blazes. The trail to the falls is about 3.5 miles so keep in mind it is 7 miles total to get there and back. Not that tough, but plan for the hike taking several hours. The first part of the trail isn't very scenic. You walk through some scrub and under the 441 overpass. Don't let this fool you, you quickly make it into the woods where there are lots of easy up and down switchbacks. They will have you breathing heavy on the way out. You will then begin following the river providing for plenty of beautiful views. This trail is okay for dogs as long as you pay attention to where they are at and keep them leashed. There are some areas you might have to help them up and over. At about the 1.4 mile mark you will be right next to the stream and need to cross your first bridge. Don't worry, it's small. Now you will begin hiking next to the river and through a flat sandy trail. The river is pretty calm here. Again make sure you follow the green blazes. There was one part of the trail that wasn't well marked and a second trail broke off. (2 miles or so in) Go to the left, towards the river. *Remember this entire trail follows the river so if you are near to it, you are on the right path.* There are 2 more bridges to cross and tiny stream with rock stepping stones to "forge" before you get to your first steep "scramble". There are metal poles and guidewire here, but be careful since some of the poles have come loose from their mooring. You'll reach the upper falls at 3.4 miles and think you are there. Here will be more areas where you might have to get on your butt and maneuver, it's really steep and you want to be careful. Again the poles and guidewire haven't been maintained in some time so pay attention. You will then make it to the bottom of the falls where there is a nice flat sandy area. You can stop, take pictures, eat lunch, swim, do whatever. It is beautiful. You will probably not be the only one at the falls; it's pretty popular. Once your done admiring nature's beauty, rinse and repeat- go back the way you came in...and make sure you carry all your trash out. All in all a great hike that lends it's self to some fabulous pictures. read more

Panther Creek Recreation Area - Some of the falls - Hiking Near Me

I loved our visit to panther creek falls. I read a lot of the yelp reviews and I have to say I agree with some things, some things I dont. So here is my perspective to add to the considerations before visiting 1. stamina- this trail whether you stay on the trail (or venture off for a harder challenge) you need good stamina. If you cant walk 7-8 miles flat, dont even bother this. You wont enjoy your walk despite how beautiful the scenery is. You need energy for 6 hours roughly. 2. Bathroom- go before, there is no where to go unless you wanna go in the water lol 3. Water/food - bring water and food, no where to buy any (seriously, someone should sell water and food down at the end- they would make a good few bucks!) 4. Shoes/clothing - I see so many old people exaggerating by having hiking backpacks, poles, hiking boots and saying this trail isnt for kids and yada yada yada.......seriously, you dont need it and its a waste to us young folks. If you stay on the easy trail you can go in flip flops (most of us did) with a water bottle in hand. There were a tons of kids and dogs. Anyone can hike here! 5. Trail Level- higher up trail is easier and quicker. Lower down where you get to see 3-5 waterfalls in total is a longer and harder trail......or maybe we just got lost. But our dog did it so no excuses! You have to definetly grab some roots and jump a lot to get around like a rock climber but its more fun for sure and rewarding. The waterfall is beautiful and very rewarding. I say totally worth going here once. read more

Panther Creek Recreation Area - Great place to try hiking for your first time. The waterfall is worth the 7/8 miles! - Hiking Near Me

This trail has a 3.5 mile option and a 8 mile option. The views are pretty nice. It is a decent, moderate level trail. The paths are overall pretty dog and older kid friendly too. The path seems to be maintained well. There are railings in area where it may be a more difficult. The trees provide good shade and protection from Georgia's summer heat here. Do NOT forget the bug spray! I went with a group of 9 friends and got stung by a yellow jacket in the calf (though I do not think bug spray deters jellow jackets). The difficulty ratings of 7.1 you may find online is likely due to the length of the hike and not so much the inclination. Also, the hike back is definitely more difficult than the hike to the falls. Enjoy! read more

A rock solid 5 stars all the way! This trail is just what I was looking for in getting some exercise, being outdoors and enjoying some beautiful scenery. The cost is only $3 bucks to get park and access the trail and there was ample parking. The trail is a definite moderate rating. Very rooty and rocky in some places. Please be careful as other reviews say. Sure footing is a must. There are several steep drop offs that could land you in the creek! Dogs and kids both should be leashed! There is several back country camp sites all along the trail. The scenery is awesome too. Several waterfalls, shoals and rock outcroppings. Beautiful waterfalls at the end. Make sure you take your time and allow plenty of time so you dont get stuck in the dark!! Go, go, go! You wont be dissapointed! read more

Panther Creek Recreation Area - Hiking Near Me

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I am in L O V E with this place! We got to this one a little late in the day and thought we would just look around and maybe come back another time to actually hike it. Turns out our 'look' around took us about 2.5 miles in! We really wanted to get to the end but were running out of daylight. Because of that, we hiked it pretty fast and still didn't make it :( I hear the waterfall at the end is beautiful! One day I will see it! and when we return, we will hike a bit slower to enjoy what we must have missed the first time. There are plenty of spots to camp. We plan on doing that on our return trip and have picked the perfect spot!! I am so excited and can't wait! Please wear hiking boots! This is NOT flat land. There are elevations and it is very rooty. I lost my footing once and I think my honey almost lost his lunch! Bring plenty of water, especially if you are hiking this during the warmer months. I would not bring pets or children, as it seems a little unsafe for both. And for the love of nature, PLEASE pick up your trash! This is a beautiful trail and nobody wants to see your empty bottles or snack wrappers laying around! If you are a hiker or wanna be one... do yourself a favor and do this one! read more

One of the hardest hikes I have done! This is a multi terrine hike, climbing under and over fallen trees, though streams, over bridges, through narrow path ways and steep inclines. There are a few very dangerous spots. Some of which you have a foot wide pathways over the edge of a cliff thats 60ft down. Be prepared, wear good shoes with good grips, bring lots of water and food and be sure that you're in decent health, and probably not for children under 8. But the fall is beautiful! The mile marker said that its 3.5 miles to the falls but it's a bit farther, about a mile or so more. Some people said they have done this trip in 3 hrs. Our GPS tracker was going and it said the total trip was 8.6 miles and it took us about 6 hrs to complete it! I cannot say enough.... This hike is not for the faint of hearts. It's a moderate at its easiest and difficult when you come to the slipper slopes looking over cliffs. I have hiked many many places in the Smokey Mountains and around GA and this was the most dangerous. Oh but it's worth it! And you'll be glad you did it! read more

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Great trail with beautiful falls at the end. Have camped overnight here several times. There are plenty of reviews here so I'm not going to say too much here except to heed the warnings about how treacherous some areas of this trail are. You absolutely need good boots as parts of the trail require crossing streams and parts are simply a total bog. Very very slippery when the rocks are wet from rain or runoff. Incredibly steep on places. Not a good trail for young kids. Too steep and too many drop offs to consider. Otherwise take it for what it is, a stunning piece of GA nature. read more

Don't Miss This Great Hike! The hike was super nice on cool trails riding through the forest. The waterfalls were really tranquil and just a nice spot to live for the rest of your life next to them in a tent! Make your way out here for sure if you are within a couple of hours... You will not regret it. read more

This park has one of my favorite hikes in Georgia -- a several mile hike through the Georgia woods to arrive at a swimming hole under a falls. Other folks have described the hike as moderately difficult and that's pretty accurate. There's a fair amount of up and down through the woods -- with switchbacks winding up some of the steeper slopes. Once you descend from the beginning of the hike, the trail winds along beside a river. Up and down a few more times on the trail and you'll arrive at a waterfall and swimming hole. The watering hole has a nice sandy bottom and a lot of shallows. The river is picturesque and you'll probably find a few folks swimming when you get there. It's a wonderful spot to swim or wade or just sit on a sandy beach in the sun. Bring a lunch. It's a nice spot to sit and rest for awhile before hiking back out. read more

Since everything has already been said Here's a video of what to expect. http://youtu.be/FoTXcnnH5F8 read more

damn, i thought i'd get FTR. but i've done this hike, many many times before Yelp was wearing diapers, and just did it again this past weekend. stephie Z lays out the directions, so i'll spare the technicalities. it's a great short day hike with a splendid reward. beware this time of year (august) as the yellow jackets are out with a vengeance, as i was stung several times. but hey, i think i'm tough, so despite flailing my arms and braying like a jackass eating briars, i hiked on. we started from the east end trail head. small parking area. 3 bucks but i noticed several cars didn't have the tags hanging from their mirror. which is a shame, because people complain about parks being closed down but think they are so sly by not paying a measly 3 bucks to park and support the park system...anyway. the trail is easy, and i guess you can camp anywhere you like. we passed several tent campers along the trail. it's truly lovely. i guess you can camp further away from the water feature and avoid the noise or camp closer to the water which is beautiful. the trail pretty much parallels the creek the whole time, with a few bridge crossings. it was pretty busy today. and dogs everywhere. i'm torn about the whole leash thing. my brothers dogs....pit bulls, very well behaved, extremely docile. but always leashed. others, not so much. i'm sure your lab/terrier/sheep dog is also friendly, but dogs are fickle and ....well, enough of that. after about 3-4 miles, the trail dumps into panther creek falls. an extremely beautiful, large cascade of waterfalls over the granite rock. i foolishly forgot to wear something that would dry and couldn't swim, but there were smarter hikers whom were bathing and enjoying the cool creek and falls. i think there is a west side approach, but we decided to have lunch and head back to the car. it took us about 2 hours to hike in, and about an hour to drive there from suwanee, ga. wonderful hike!!!!!! read more

My wife and I are new to Georgia and wanted to explore the local hiking trails. We came across the chattahoochee forest and its many trails. Panther Creek was listed as one of the best and thus we decided to embark on this journey. Bring $4 dollars for parking if you don't want to park along the road. FYI the trail marker states that is 3.4 miles; however, it is closer to 4 miles there and 4 miles back. The trail is a very easy and leisurely walk for the most part except for the last .5 miles. On this particular day there was a downed tree blocking part of the trail which required us to climb over. Things to note: there are actually two falls on this trail (one small and the one you actually came for) see my photos/videos, second there are nice flat areas which you can pitch a tent or hamrock and enjoy the sounding of rushing water along the small creek/river and lastly bring your hiking shoes. Regarding the last note, there are many areas with sharp tree roots, rocks, and slippery surfaces along the rocky areas. Overall this was a pleasurably experience and we look forward to exploring the other waterfalls and hiking areas of Georgia and the south. read more

Panther Creek Recreation Area - Trail art - Hiking Near Me

Used to be a great local hike. This recreational resource is being over utilized. First off it's super crowded. Secondly Irresponsible pet owners leave feces all over the trail and inexperienced backpackers leave garbage strewn EVERYWHERE. The hike itself is still great but do us all a favor and bring an extra bag to haul out as much trash as you can. This isn't a city park where a paid employee picks up after those who don't know better. We must pack our own trash and unfortunately the trash of others as well from time to time. read more

My favorite place to hike! Challenging in some places and easy going in others. If you make it to the end the waterfall is worth it all. You can relax on the sandy beach there until you get rested up enough to head back. Be sure to bring a picnic lunch! read more

A very fun hike! My family and I go here to walk after dinner fairly frequently and while the trail is nowhere near crowded, you come across other people (and more importantly, dogs) on occasion. The waterfall at the end is beautiful, but beware if you aren't particularly ready for a long (and in some places, a bit treacherous) hike. Wear shoes with a good tread for this, be prepared to watch where you step, and make sure to be aware of other hikers in the slimmer sections of the trail. Definitely do NOT bring very young, walking kids or difficult dogs that may get away from you, as it definitely could be dangerous for them should they not have your complete attention at certain points. read more

Visited: 08/20/2016 We were doing the Panther Creek Falls Hike that was 3.5 miles, so essentially it was a short day hike. Please note though that when we went, the conditions were: moist-clearly wet/muddy trails since we went after it rained, plus it rained right when we were leaving. I had to tell you all the conditions because that is what caused some of the trips, falls, and made the overall simple day high not so simple. Since we went during those conditions, it was more of a moderately difficult day hike when it could've been fun and easy if everything was dry. We also noticed that in some parts of the trail, if you go a slightly different way back (which we accidentally did) there are steeper ways down :) Granted it was a fun adventure overall, but you should be prepared for possible options throughout the trail :D Towards the end of the trail, right before you reach the falls, there are quite precarious areas which I think are in the difficult/hard level. There was a handrail that was a wire rope type of cable that I honestly did not trust since it was a sharp/steep pathway down to get to the falls. With me not even being 5'5", it was a bit difficult to get down (plus it was slippery and wet). Luckily, I had help getting down :D I certainly recommend this trail, but just be aware that the level of difficulty definitely depends on the weather conditions that effect the conditions of the trail. The conditions of the trail will of course effect your footing, and thus whether or not you may or may not get injured. Keep in mind when hiking, even a day hike, safety is super important! Enjoy the hike and be safe! :) read more

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This place is just a short drive from Atlanta - about 2 hours North. There is a parking spot where you could leave your car across the road from the trail entrance, but when my friends and I went there it was full. You can actually park on either side of the road near the entrance. The hike to the falls is about 3.5 miles, and I would say is moderate in difficulty. It would be helpful if you had some experience hiking, or at least physically fit as there are some spots in the trail that are elevated. For someone like me who is rather short-legged and has a knee problem, I did have some slight issues going up or down. But I made it back to write this review, didn't I :) And compared to other hikes I've gone on, this still leans toward the easy side. Along the way, I actually saw a lot of young kids, seniors, and dogs take the hike with ease. Also make sure that you wear footwear that has good traction. Some areas of the hike require you to walk on huge rocks that may be slippery when wet. Along the way, we saw some camp sites - so it looks like you can set up your tents there. The falls was not very big, but spacious enough that you can just swim at the bottom, or hang out near the falls and get a free massage :) The rocks there are also very slippery, so be very careful. Water was cold, but that felt great after the hike (which took about 2 hours - at a reasonably slow pace). There were plenty of people at the falls when we got there, but not enough to ruin the experience. You might want to bring a hammock or blanket - there's a spot where you can use either. I think if you go further (about 4 or 5 miles), there's a dam....but my friends and I hiked back to our car after spending some time at the falls. Please don't forget to bring your trash back with you - there are no trash bins in the area, and it is sad to see a few people leave their mess and ruin the beauty of nature. read more

Awesome hike, awesome place to camp. This trail is not for beginners or those looking for a leisurely stroll to some scenery. Nearby Amicalola can provide that with their ADA access paths and overcrowded falls. However, the views here are gorgeous. The trail is not dangerous per se, you just have to watch where you're walking at all times, especially nearby the falls. I love that the trail is still rugged and you are responsible for your actions! What a concept. I wish all trails and parks were like this one. read more

The hike took us 4 hours start to finish, including time to swim in the pool at the base of the waterfall and eat lunch. Deceptively steep (on the way out it is mostly downhill, so the way back is more exhausting. Overall a fun, moderate difficulty hike. I recommend starting early in the day, it can get crowded in the afternoon. read more

My wife and I are both 45 and not in particularly good shape. However, we loved this trail and would highly recommend it for the scenery and some good exercise! We are not experienced hikers but at no time did we feel conditions were too dangerous to attempt. Yes, there are some steep drop offs but we breezed right by those spots. I wouldn't want anyone to be discouraged by some of the feedback. This is a fabulous hike. I think dogs might struggle especially near the falls. However, there were several dogs on the trail. We only saw two small dogs at the falls. A couple with 2 labs did turn back. Hiked on Nov 8, 2014. read more

Very hard to find if you are using a cell phone / google maps... don't search for Panther creek falls, it will try to drive you to the falls. Try panther creek trail hike. It is off 441 to "OLD 441" about three miles south of Tellula Falls. The parking area and trail head is just down the road a ways. Fabulous falls and a good work out. 7 miles roound trip. Up hill one way and downhill back. Worth the trip. read more

This is a must do when visiting tallulah falls! One of the best hikes, so rewarding !! The falls were amazing and we got some amazing photos. read more