There is a famous poem by Robert Frost called “The Road Not Taken.” I remember reading it in high school and imagining where the road less traveled by would lead. Well I think I may have found it. Today’s Georgia Gem is even more beautiful than what I once imagined. Minnehaha Falls is located in Rabun County, Georgia off of Bear Gap Road. Getting there definitely felt like taking the road less traveled, especially when GPS led us down a winding gravel road. The views getting there are scenic. Cell service is spotty. Along the way, you’ll pass Lake Rabun and the beautiful homes/ boathouses that line its shore. It took us over two hours to reach this location in Northeast Georgia, but it was certainly worth the drive.
According to the Blue Ridge Mountains Travel Guide, Minnehaha means waterfall in Dakota and the land the waterfall is located on once belonged to the Cherokee Indians. [1] If you do a Google search, you’ll see that there are two Minnehaha Falls in the United States: one in Minnesota and one in Georgia. Make sure to choose the one in Georgia to save yourself a much longer drive! You’ll approach a small parking area across from a set of stairs and a Minnehaha Falls Trail sign. There is only room for a few vehicles, and we happened to be the only car there. As I approached the stairs, a monarch butterfly hovered nearby as if it was welcoming me to one of Georgia’s best-kept secrets. If you check my Instagram reel, you’ll see the butterfly I’m referring to.
The set of stairs was a bit steep, and the path leading to the waterfall was not manicured like the one you’ll find at Amicalola Falls. A word of caution: while this is considered an easy hike, it is more strenuous than any Georgia Gem featured thus far. I like sharing locations that everyone can enjoy because appreciating our beautiful state should not be limited to those who are willing and able to hike. Minnehaha Falls, while considered easy, is slightly more difficult to travel given the incline and exposed tree roots. Although it is only 0.4 miles round-trip, it felt much longer than the walk to Toccoa Falls and Amicalola Falls. It is not a handicap accessible location either, so this is also a downside.
The entire “hike” I could hear the waterfall in the distance; yet I couldn’t see any sign of it. Then, like a true hidden gem, I stumbled upon one of the most magnificent waterfalls I have ever seen. It was tucked away and surrounded by trees. A small rock platform framed Minnehaha Falls, offering a place to sit and take everything in. In terms of waterfalls, this might take my number one spot. There is something so ethereal about this waterfall, and I can’t quite put it into words. You want to know what’s even more amazing? There wasn’t anyone else there. My dad and I stood before a 100-foot waterfall, and it felt like Minnehaha Falls belonged to us. I couldn’t believe that we were the only ones witnessing this gorgeous sight.
Unlike Toccoa Falls, Minnehaha is not a single drop; it cascades down layer after layer of rocks. We saw a sign beside the waterfall warning visitors of the inherent danger. While it might seem harmless to climb the rocks or step into the water, this is a very dangerous idea. The stark warnings are a great reminder to be careful and use common sense.
I’ll admit: I was nervous we might run into a bear, but thankfully, we did not! As we made the trek back to the car, we saw a group of people who had just started the journey. As they reached the top of the stairs, they all asked “How much further?!” in a somewhat exhausted tone. I could tell it was a bit strenuous for them, and this reconfirmed my own thoughts that this was a little more strenuous than I initially thought. One of the older men I spoke with had a hiking staff, and I told him that I would have to get one for future hikes. He smiled and replied, “I couldn’t do it without it.” So incorporating a hiking staff or trekking poles might make your journey a little easier.
There are not enough wonderful things I can say about Minnehaha Falls. This is exactly the type of gem that inspired me to create this blog. While words will do this beauty no justice, I hope my pictures and videos will. Since visiting in April, I haven’t stopped thinking about this place. It is even better than what I first imagined when reading “The Road Not Taken.” You will stand there surrounded by a waterfall that supersedes anything you could have imagined. It’s the type of place that makes you grateful to call Georgia home.
Thank you for reading this far and taking a trip with me to Minnehaha Falls. I hope you’ll check it out for yourself soon!
[1] Love, B., & Gabbett, M. (2020, October 23). How to get to Minnehaha falls, GA at lake Rabun. Blue Ridge Mountains Travel Guide. https://blueridgemountainstravelguide.com/minnehaha-falls-ga-lake-rabun/
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