Georgia · Hiking

Helton Creek Falls

Helton Creek FallsPhoto: samhozan, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)
0.3 mi
round trip
25 ft
climb
2,219 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–May, Aug–Nov
best months

Caution at last check

Agency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is good · USFS, OpenWeather · checked 18 h ago

Is Helton Creek Falls open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests. It doesn't name Helton Creek Falls, so check the source for the area it covers (4 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Helton Creek Falls is a short, easy hike in the Blue Ridge Ranger District of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests in north Georgia, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is about a quarter mile long, with a total climb of about 25 feet, so it works well as a quick stop on a longer day in the area. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Blairsville show October highs around 70°F with lows near 43°F, and May highs around 76°F. That station sits a few hundred feet lower than the falls, so temperatures at the falls run slightly cooler. Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area, about a mile away, offers camping. The Nottely River, Trahlyta Lake Trail and Bear Hair Gap are all within about 2 miles.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Mar–May, Aug–Nov

    Best time to visit Helton Creek Falls

    Best months: March–May and August–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      49° / 25°

      12 wet

    2. Feb

      53° / 28°

      12 wet

    3. Mar

      60° / 34°

      12 wet

    4. Apr

      69° / 41°

      11 wet

    5. May

      76° / 50°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      82° / 58°

      13 wet

    7. Jul

      85° / 62°

      13 wet

    8. Aug

      84° / 61°

      12 wet

    9. Sep

      80° / 55°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      70° / 43°

      10 wet

    11. Nov

      61° / 33°

      10 wet

    12. Dec

      52° / 29°

      12 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Blairsville Exp Stn, GA, 7.5 mi away at 1,949 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

    Closures we've recorded since August 2026

    • Spring 2026 Forest-wide Fire Restrictions

      Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests · Order dated April 23, 2026; seen Aug 23, 2026 → lifted Oct 13, 2026 · Forest Service

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Byron Herbert ReecePhoto: Pete Seabolt, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Byron Herbert Reece

~4 min drive

1.40-mile out-and-back trail in Georgia with 111 ft gain and 488 ft loss.

Coosa BackcountryPhoto: TranceMist, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Coosa Backcountry

~5 min drive

A 6-mile out-and-back backcountry hike through Georgia's Coosa region.

Woods Hole ShelterPhoto: TranceMist, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Woods Hole Shelter

~6 min drive

0.40-mile out-and-back trail at Woods Hole Shelter in Georgia

HIKE

Coosa Backcountry

~4 min drive

10.10-mile out-and-back trail in Georgia with 3,712 ft elevation gain.

Coosa Backcountry TrailPhoto: TranceMist, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Coosa Backcountry Trail

~4 min drive

2.32-mile out-and-back hike in Georgia with 1,182 ft elevation gain

HIKE

Jacks Knob

~13 min drive

4.43-mile out-and-back trail in Georgia with 2,159 ft gain

Desoto FallsPhoto: Bas van Oorschot, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Desoto Falls

~6 min drive

1.90-mile out-and-back trail to Desoto Falls in Georgia with 409 ft elevation gain.

Whitley Gap ShelterPhoto: Bas van Oorschot, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Whitley Gap Shelter

~6 min drive

2.18-mile out-and-back trail to Whitley Gap Shelter in Georgia.

HIKE

Yellow Mountain

~14 min drive

6.30-mile out-and-back trail on Yellow Mountain in Georgia

Slaughter Creek TrailPhoto: ChattOconeeNF, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Slaughter Creek Trail

~7 min drive

0.7-mile out-and-back trail in Georgia with 397 ft gain and 3,086 ft max elevation.