Visit White County Parks -Check out the Chestatee Overlook, DeSoto Falls, Dukes Creek Falls and Recreation Area, Smithgall Woods-Dukes Creek Conservation Area, Tray Mountain Wilderness Area, Upper Chattahoochee Recreation Area and more. Stay and Play in Georgia!
Chestatee Overlook is in the Chattahoochee National Forest and is a scenic vista of Blood Mountain Cove. Picnicking. Phone: 706-745-6928 - Location: GA Highway 60 North of Dahlonega, in Cleveland Georgia 30528 - Directions: Take GA Hwy 60 N from Dahlonega for 12 miles
DeSoto Falls and scenic area in the Chattahoochee National Forest - There are 5 beautiful waterfalls along the 3-mile section of the DeSoto Falls Trail located in the 650-acre recreation area. Hikers can access three of the falls, designated as the lower, middle, and upper DeSoto Falls. The lower falls cascade 20 feet, whit the middle and the most scenic falls drop 80 feet. Water at the upper falls surges down a ganite rock incline for almost 200 feet and may be viewed from the flat, granite formation which overlooks the falls. US Forest Scenic Area with waterfalls, hiking trails, fishing and picnicking.
Phone: 706-745-6928 - Location: US 129/19 N, Dahlonega Georgia 30533 - Directions: US Hwy 129 north from Cleveland or U.S. Hwy 19 north from Dahlonega
Dukes Creek Falls and Recreation Area in the Chattahoochee National Forest is a majestic waterfall located just north of Helen. Falls drops 150 feet down a sheer granite canyon into Dukes Creek. Scenic beauty and gold panning opportunities. The falls can be viewed from several observation points that are reached by a 1-mile trail. Hiking and fishing are other activities. Phone: 706-754-6221 - Location: GA Highway 348, Helen Georgia 30545 - Directions: Take GA Hwy 75 N from Helen for 1.5 miles. Turn L on GA Hwy 356 (75 Alt) for 2.3 miles to the Russell Brasstown Scenic Byway.
Horse Trough Falls in the Chattahoochee National Forest - Horsetrough Trail leads to beautiful Horse Trough Falls, high in the Chattahoochee watershed. Horsetrough Mountain is a peak on the Appalachian Trail. This high eastern ridge of the Blue Ridge Mountains is home to many falls that feed the Chattahoochee River, which forms within a mile of the falls, about 300 feet below the aptly named Chattahoochee Gap. The water that passes over these falls joins the larger river within a few feet, beginning a nearly 500 mile journey to the Gulf of Mexico.
Horsetrough Falls is in the Mark Trail Wilderness, an expansive area containing most of the Upper Chattahoochee River. The hike to the falls is from the Upper Chattahoochee Campground. The road that runs past the campground follows the river for the next five miles down to the city of Helen. Phone: 706-754-6221 - Location: GA Hwy 75 & F S 44, Helen Georgia 30545
Raven Cliff Falls in the Chattahoochee National Forest is perhaps one of the most unusual in North Georgia because the water flows through a split in the face of a solid rock outcropping to the ground 100 feet below. Behind the split, the water drops approximately 60 ft. and then rushes through the rock face and rops 20 ft. into a deep pool. The water then cascades 20 more feet to Dodd Creek. Three other waterfalls may be found on Dodd Creek. Phone: 706-754-6221 - Location: Off of Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway, Helen Georgia 30545 Directions: GA 75 Alt. to the Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway.
Smithgall Woods-Dukes Creek Conservation Area-DNR - North Georgia's premier trout stream, Dukes Creek, runs through this spectacular mountain property and is a favorite for catch-and-release fishing.
Four miles of trails and 18 miles of roads allow hikers and bicyclists to explore hardwoods, streams and wildlife. Trout fishing and shuttle service are offered only on certain days of the week, so visitors should call for a current schedule and to make reservations. Van tours are offered daily at 12:30 p.m.
The Lodge at Smithgall Woods is an elegant mountain retreat perfect for romantic getaways or corporate retreats. Five beautifully decorated cottages provide 14 bedrooms with private baths. Rates include accommodations, meals and activities. Smithgall Woods-Dukes Creek Conservation Area was acquired by the state in 1994 as a gift-purchase from Charles A. Smithgall, Jr., a noted conservationist and businessman.
North Georgia's premier trout stream, Dukes Creek, runs through this spectacular mountain property and is a favorite for catch-and-release fishing. Four miles of trails and 18 miles of roads allow hikers and bicyclists to explore hardwoods, streams and wildlife. Trout fishing and van tours are offered only on certain days of the week, so visitors should call for a current schedule.
Facilities:
5,663 Acres 3 Picnic Shelters (Call for fees) Pioneer Campground (youth groups only; fee per person) The Lodge at Smithgall Woods Visitor Center 4 Miles of Nature Trails Wildlife Viewing Stands and Food Plots Activities:
Trout Fishing – reservations required Hiking and Bicycling – 22 miles of roads and trails
Interpretive Programs - advance notice required Environmental Education activities - advance notice required Guided Tours Picnicking Nature Photography Wildlife Observation
Hunting - reservations required Phone: 706-878-3087 or 800-318-5248 - Address: 61 Tsalaki Trail, Helen Georgia 30545 Directions: On GA Hwy. 75 Alt. between Cleveland and Helen.
Stovall Mill Covered Bridge - Georgia's shortest clear span covered bridge. C 1895, King-post design, one span wid and 33 feet long. Featured in Susan Hayworth's movie, "I'd Climb the Highest Mountain". Picnic area. Phone: 706-878-2181 - Location: GA Highway 255, Sautee Georgia 30571 - Directions: GA Highway 255 3 miles past Old Sautee Store.
Tray Mountain Wilderness Area in the Chattahoochee National Forest offers two of the most enjoyable hikes in the area are the Moccasin Creek Trail and the Appalachian Trail leading up to the crest of Tray Mountain. Both of these trails offer up a wealth of beauty for the hiker.
A couple of other unique sites in the Tray Mountain area are Ramp Cove with a breathtaking stand of giant buckeyes, exciting boulderfields, pastures of wildflowers, and numerous overlooks for you to take in the view of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
This wilderness area is located in the Blue Ridge Ranger District.
Upper Chattahoochee River Recreation Area in the Chattahoochee National Forest - It is located near the headwaters of the Chattahoochee River, the recreation area offers camping, picnicking, hiking, and fishing.
The Chattahoochee River is one of the best trout fishing streams in north Georgia. In addition, the Appalachian Trail is nearby, as well as the Horse Trough Falls Interpretive Trail and the Mark Trail Wilderness.
Wildlife flourishes in this area, where black bears, turkeys, deer, song birds and other small animals make their home. Anna Ruby Falls, the most visited waterfalls in Georgia, is located just a short distance from the campground.
The campground sits at an elevation of about 2,200 feet above sea level which gives you a feeling of being in high mountain forest. It's noticeably cooler here in the summer time. Phone: 706-754-6221 - Location: Helen Georgia 30545, White County - Directions: From Helen Georgia, take State Rt. 17/75 north for 8.6 miles to Upper Chattahoochee River sign (River Road 44 - Mark Trail Wilderness). Turn left onto River Road 44 and go 4.6 miles to campground. NOTE: River Road 44 is gravel, single lane with turnouts. It is also steep in places with some switchbacks.
3 Picnic Shelters (Call for fees) 
