Last updated October 28, 2026
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Most waterfalls make you choose: an easy walk or a big payoff. Anna Ruby Falls gives you both.
A paved path climbs less than half a mile from the parking lot to two waterfalls side by side. Curtis Creek drops 153 feet right next to York Creek's 50-foot plunge, and the two meet at the bottom to form Smith Creek. It's about 10 minutes from downtown Helen, and it's one of the few big waterfalls in Georgia you can reach with a stroller.
I went to Anna Ruby Falls by myself, and my first reaction at the base was simple: this is absolutely beautiful. It's well worth the $6 and the 30-minute walk up.
Here's what to know before you go: what it costs (and which passes work), the hours, the best time to show up, and how to turn it into a full Helen day.
Free download: my North Georgia Waterfall Checklist. 14 falls ranked from 100-yard walks to all-day hikes, on one list you can check off on your phone. Get the free checklist
The Quick Basics
Where: Anna Ruby Falls Recreation Area, 3455 Anna Ruby Falls Road, Helen, just past Unicoi State Park in the Chattahoochee National Forest
Drive time: About 10 minutes from downtown Helen, about 2 hours from Atlanta
The walk: 0.8 miles round trip, paved, with a steady uphill and benches along the way
Cost: $6 per person, ages 16 and up. Kids 15 and under are free.
Hours: Open year round, 9 AM to 5 PM daily. Last admission is at 4 PM.
Passes: America the Beautiful, Senior, Access and Military passes are accepted. Your Georgia State Parks ParkPass doesn't work here, because this is Forest Service land.
Best for: Families, grandparents, strollers, and anyone who wants a big waterfall without a big hike
How to Get There
From downtown Helen, take GA-356 toward Unicoi State Park, then follow the signs onto Anna Ruby Falls Road, which winds through the park to the recreation area gate. You don't need a ParkPass just to drive through Unicoi on your way. You pay at the Anna Ruby Falls entrance instead, and the fee is per person, not per car.
The Walk to the Falls
The paved trail follows Smith Creek uphill for about 0.4 miles to the base of the falls. It's short, but it's a real incline, which is why there are benches along the way. Take your time. The creek is beautiful the whole walk up.
Don't let the short distance fool you. The hike can be deceiving, and a few parts of the trail are a little steep, but it's doable. It took me about 30 minutes to walk up, and then I spent about an hour there just staring at the falls and admiring how beautiful it was.
At the top you get both waterfalls at once, side by side, from upper and lower viewing decks. That's what makes Anna Ruby different from every other falls in North Georgia. Strollers can make it if you're ready to push uphill, but the short, steep sections mean the main trail isn't wheelchair accessible. The Lion's Eye Trail below is.
Distance: 0.8 miles round trip, paved
Difficulty: Easy, with a few steep sections
Time: About 30 minutes up, then as long as you want at the falls. I stayed about an hour.
Two More Trails Here
Lion's Eye Trail: A 0.1-mile paved trail with a cable handrail and Braille signs, built for visitors who are blind or have low vision. It's wheelchair accessible and a thoughtful stop for anyone.
Smith Creek Trail: About 4.6 miles one way through the forest to Unicoi State Park. Set up a car at each end, or plan on more than 9 miles out and back.
When to Go
Weekday mornings: Right at 9 AM opening is the calmest this place ever gets.
Oktoberfest season: Helen's Oktoberfest runs from September into early November, and on Saturdays the lot fills from late morning through mid-afternoon. Go early, go on a weekday, or save it for another month.
After a good rain: Both falls run fullest in spring and after storms.
Fall color: Around Helen, color usually peaks mid to late October.
Holidays: Closed the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
What to Bring
Anna Ruby doesn't need much gear, but a few things make the visit better:
Shoes with good grip: The path is paved, but it's steep in spots and the viewing decks get wet from the spray.
An insulated water bottle: That uphill walk will make you thirsty, especially in summer.
A small phone tripod: Two waterfalls side by side are hard to fit in one handheld shot. A tripod on the deck helps.
A packable rain jacket: Mountain weather changes fast, and it can get misty near the falls.
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Know Before You Go
The fee is per person, not per car. Ages 16 and up pay; kids 15 and under are free.
Your ParkPass won't work here. Anna Ruby Falls is Forest Service land, not a state park. An America the Beautiful, Senior, Access or Military pass covers the fee.
No admission after 4 PM. The gate opens at 9 AM and closes at 5 PM, so don't plan a late start.
Strollers are fine, wheelchairs are tough. The main path is paved but has short, steep sections. The Lion's Eye Trail is the wheelchair-accessible option.
Parking: Fills on Oktoberfest Saturdays. Arrive at opening. Dogs are welcome on a leash.
Make It a Day Near Helen
Anna Ruby is the easy half of a Helen waterfall day. Pair it with Raven Cliff Falls, a 5-mile creekside hike to a waterfall that pours through a split in a granite cliff, or Dukes Creek Falls, a shorter overlook hike on the same highway. Unicoi State Park is right next door too, with a lake and more trails (that one does need a ParkPass).
That's what I did. After the falls, I drove over to Unicoi State Park and walked the Lake Trail, an easy 2.5-mile loop around Unicoi Lake. Then I headed into Helen and ate at the Alpine Brew Deck.
Got more time? In the hotter months, you can go tubing on the Chattahoochee River right through downtown Helen with outfitters like Cool River Tubing and Helen Tubing and Waterpark. And for a little thrill, ride the Georgia Mountain Coaster (8409 S. Main St.), an alpine coaster that runs down the mountain and through the woods in Helen.
For the full Helen waterfall day, see my Raven Cliff Falls guide, and for more falls across the region, my 12 Best Waterfalls in North Georgia.
Want the whole weekend planned? Helen is one of five trips in North Georgia Weekends ($79): a Saturday planned hour by hour, plus Friday night and Sunday, three places to stay and a rain plan for every stop. Just want one great day? Start with 5 Perfect North Georgia Saturdays ($9.99).
Anna Ruby Falls FAQ
Is there a parking fee at Anna Ruby Falls?
No separate parking charge. Anna Ruby Falls charges per person, not per car: $6 for ages 16 and up, kids 15 and under free, paid at the gate when you arrive. You do not need to buy ahead.
What is the Anna Ruby Falls address?
Anna Ruby Falls Recreation Area, 3455 Anna Ruby Falls Road, Helen, Georgia 30545. It is about 10 minutes from downtown Helen, just past Unicoi State Park.
How long is the Anna Ruby Falls trail?
0.8 miles round trip on a paved path, about 0.4 miles each way, uphill on the way in with benches along the way. Plan on about 30 minutes up.
How much does Anna Ruby Falls cost?
$6 per person for ages 16 and up. Kids 15 and under are free.
Can I use my Georgia State Parks pass at Anna Ruby Falls?
No. Anna Ruby Falls is in the Chattahoochee National Forest, so the state ParkPass doesn't apply.
Does my America the Beautiful pass work at Anna Ruby Falls?
Yes. The Forest Service accepts America the Beautiful, Senior, Access and Military passes here. Show your pass when you pay. Without one, it's $6 a person for ages 16 and up.
What are the hours at Anna Ruby Falls?
9 AM to 5 PM every day, with no admission after 4 PM. It's closed the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Are dogs allowed at Anna Ruby Falls?
Yes, as long as they stay on a leash.
How tall is Anna Ruby Falls?
Curtis Creek drops 153 feet and York Creek drops 50 feet, side by side.
Is Anna Ruby Falls stroller friendly? Yes. The path is paved the whole way, with a steady incline and benches.
How far is Anna Ruby Falls from Helen? About 10 minutes by car, through Unicoi State Park.
More in North Georgia, or find a trip by drive time. Want company on the trail? The Explore Georgia Hiking Club is free, and every pace is welcome.