Raven Cliff Falls (Georgia) facts for kids
- This article refers to Raven Cliff Falls in Georgia; for the South Carolina falls, see: Raven Cliff Falls (South Carolina).
Raven Cliff Falls is a beautiful waterfall located in White County, Georgia. It's found on a creek that eventually joins Dodd Creek. This amazing waterfall has three main sections. First, the water drops about 60-foot (18 m), then it falls another 20-foot (6.1 m) into a deep pool. After that, it cascades (flows down like a small waterfall) about 20 feet (6.1 m) more to reach Dodd Creek. What makes Raven Cliff Falls special is that it's a double waterfall! It flows right through a crack in a huge granite rock. Dodd Creek also has three other big waterfalls, with the tallest one dropping about 70-foot (21 m).
Exploring Raven Cliff Falls' Location
Raven Cliff Falls is created by Dodd Creek, which is a lovely mountain stream. Both the waterfall and the creek are part of the Raven Cliffs Wilderness. This wilderness area is inside the Chattahoochee National Forest. Many people think Dodd Creek is one of the prettiest creeks in northern Georgia!
Raven Cliff Falls is one of four popular waterfalls you can visit in the Chattahoochee National Forest, close to the town of Helen, Georgia. Two of these other waterfalls, Anna Ruby Falls and Dukes Creek Falls, are also in White County. The third waterfall, DeSoto Falls, is in a nearby area called Lumpkin County.
Hiking the Raven Cliffs Trail
You can reach Raven Cliff Falls by hiking the Raven Cliffs Trail. This trail follows Dodd Creek all the way to the waterfalls. The hike is about 5 miles long, going there and back. It's usually quite an easy walk until you get closer to the very end.
The trail starts at about 2,040 feet (620 m) high, near Bear Den Creek. It then gently goes uphill to about 2,600 feet (790 m) at the bottom of the falls. Blue markers, called blazes, help you stay on the right path, so it's easy to follow.
The start of the trail is just off the Richard Russell Scenic Highway. From the parking area, the trail heads into a beautiful valley. You'll see lots of mountain laurel, rhododendron, different kinds of trees, and mossy areas. As you walk, you'll pass smaller waterfalls, clear pools, and rushing whitewater.
The trail ends at an amazing 80-foot (24 m) tall cliff. This cliff is split right down the middle, and Raven Cliff Falls flows through that split! There's also a steep path that leads to the top of the cliff. From there, you can get wonderful views of the valley and the creek below.
While the trail is usually peaceful, it can get busy on weekends. It's a great spot for a day hike with family and friends. The area is also popular for camping in tents. For your safety, rappelling (climbing down ropes) from the cliff face is no longer allowed.
