Happy Waterfall Wednesday! I am so excited about this week’s Georgia Gem, and I know you will be as well. Today I am taking you to Toccoa Falls, a 186 foot waterfall located in Toccoa, Georgia. It is tucked away on the beautiful Toccoa Falls College in Northeast Georgia. From Marietta, this is a 1 ½ hour drive. As with all of North Georgia, the views are beautiful whether you have made it to your destination or are on your way. Toccoa Falls has been on my must-see list for a long time. While I had planned on seeing it in the Fall, now is the perfect time to visit! No matter what I write about it here, you have to see it in person. We’ve written blog posts about Amicalola Falls and Panther Creek Falls before, and this one is just as spectacular. Toccoa Falls is easily accessible and doesn’t require a hike.
As you arrive on the campus, you’ll pass an information kiosk with a campus employee who can give you directions and answer questions. After this, you will come to a fork in the road where you will make a left. This leads you to a parking lot beside a lake and a visitor center. You will need to walk through the Toccoa Falls Books and Gifts shop to access the waterfall and pay a $2.00/person fee.
A short walk is all that’s required to see one of the most magnificent waterfalls in Georgia. I walked out to a beautifully manicured path and a stream that runs beside it. There were azaleas lining the gravel path that curves around to the left. Within a minute I stood before one of the most magnificent sights I have ever seen. Picture yourself in front of a 186 foot waterfall, one that is taller than Niagara Falls and the “tallest free-falling waterfall east of the Mississippi River.”[1][2]Beautiful boulders and trees frame a single drop waterfall. As it plunges below into a pool of water, mist rises above. The water flows down the stream that runs along the pathway and further onto campus. Words fail to describe this place; you really must see it in person.
Like I often do with other gems featured on this blog, I stood there in disbelief…disbelief that both a waterfall this beautiful exists and that it’s located in Georgia. When you first start the 0.4 mile walk to the falls, you have no idea just how magnificent the view will be. Within minutes, you are standing at the base of Toccoa Falls. You can even feel the mist hitting your face as the water plunges below; this gives you an idea of just how close you are. While I did not climb the rocks to get closer, there were other visitors who did for a better view. There are also a few benches along the path if you want to stop and take it all in.
On November 6, 1977, the Kelly Barnes Dam above Toccoa Falls collapsed; it resulted in a flood that took almost 40 lives and caused severe destruction to the Toccoa Falls campus and surrounding area.[3] There is a plaque dedicated to these victims located near the waterfall; it displays the names of everyone who died that day.[4]
What I Loved Most
While I love all the gems featured on this blog, Toccoa Falls is a new favorite. It is unlike any waterfall I have ever seen, and it is accessible to everyone. The path is handicap accessible and 0.4 miles to the base of the falls, so this is perfect for anyone who wants to appreciate a beautiful view. I try to feature places that everyone can enjoy because you don’t have to be a hiker to appreciate a gorgeous view. The short walk leads to one of the most incredible Georgia Gems you will experience in North Georgia.
Advice
Given that this is a popular wedding venue, I would call in advance to make sure you can plan around these events. The waterfall will be closed during these occasions, so it’s worth knowing before you make the trip. I would also call to verify the hours of operation because this information varies when looking online. The best bet is to check the website. According to the Toccoa Falls College website, the waterfall is open weekdays 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. and weekends 12:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. The college recommends checking its Instagram account and clicking “The Falls” highlight tab for updates on closures and hours of operation. Here is their Instagram account. If you can visit during the week, this will reduce crowd size.
One downside is how early the waterfall closes, although this is somewhat understandable given that it is located on a college campus. An employee will come out to the waterfall at 4:00 p.m. to remind visitors that it’s time to leave. So you should plan accordingly so that your time there is not rushed. You'll want to soak up all the beautiful views!
[1] Toccoa Falls College. (2022, April 18). Toccoa Falls. Toccoa Falls College - North Georgia Christian College. Retrieved May 4, 2022, from https://tfc.edu/about/our-campus/toccoa-falls/ [2] World of Waterfalls. (n.d.). Toccoa Falls. Stephens County Georgia | Official Site. Retrieved May 4, 2022, from https://stephenscountyga.gov/toccoa-falls/ [3] Brian McCallum, U. S. G. S. (n.d.). The 1977 toccoa flood, report of failure of Kelly Barnes dam flood and findings. USGS South Atlantic Water Science Center - The 1977 Toccoa Flood, Report of Failure of Kelly Barnes Dam Flood and Findings. Retrieved May 4, 2022, from https://www2.usgs.gov/water/southatlantic/ga/flood/toccoa/ [4] ibid
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