Tallulah Gorge State Park facts for kids
- This article refers to the Park. For the gorge see Tallulah Gorge, for the town, see Tallulah Falls, Georgia, for the lake, see Lake Tallulah Falls and for the river, see Tallulah River.
Quick facts for kids Tallulah Gorge State Park |
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Tallulah Gorge
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 Tallulah Gorge State Park
Location in Georgia (U.S. state)
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| Location | Rabun County, Georgia, Habersham County, Georgia USA |
| Nearest city | Tallulah Falls, Georgia |
| Area | 2,689 acres (10.88 km2; 4.20 sq mi) |
| Governing body | Georgia State Park |
Tallulah Gorge State Park is a huge park in Georgia, covering about 2,689 acres. It's right next to the town of Tallulah Falls, Georgia, and sits on the border between Rabun and Habersham Counties.
This amazing park surrounds Tallulah Gorge, which is a very deep canyon, about 1,000 feet deep! The Tallulah River carved out this gorge and flows along its bottom. One of the main attractions here are the six beautiful waterfalls called the Tallulah Falls. These falls make the river drop 500 feet over just one mile (about 150 meters over 1.6 kilometers).
Contents
The History of Tallulah Gorge Park
Even though Tallulah Gorge State Park officially opened in 1993, people were talking about protecting this special place much earlier. Back in 1905, there were already ideas to create a park here.
How the Park Was Formed
The park was finally created in 1993 thanks to teamwork between the state of Georgia, led by Governor Zell Miller, and a company called Georgia Power.
Early Visitors and Protection Efforts
Tourism to the area really grew in 1882. A new railroad, later called the Tallulah Falls Railroad, brought thousands of people to see the gorge every week. Later, when Georgia Power started building hydroelectric dams (which use water to make electricity) along the Tallulah River, people became even more determined to protect the gorge.
A woman named Helen Dortch Longstreet tried to get the state to protect Tallulah Gorge in 1911. She was the wife of a famous general from the American Civil War. Even though her efforts didn't succeed then, the idea of protecting the gorge stayed alive.
Exploring the Tallulah Gorge Area
The Tallulah Gorge is located upstream from a hydroelectric dam that is managed by Georgia Power. This dam controls how much water flows through the gorge.
Water Flow in the Gorge
Normally, the river in the gorge flows much lower than it used to naturally. However, there are special times when a lot of water is released from the dam. These big water releases are usually planned for kayaking and whitewater rafting. You can often see these exciting releases on the first two weekends of April and the first three weekends of November.
Seeing the Natural River
The park also schedules "aesthetic water releases" during weekends in the spring and fall. These releases let visitors see what the river would look like with its natural, stronger flow through the gorge. It's a great way to experience the power of the Tallulah River.
Fun Things to Do at Tallulah Gorge State Park
Tallulah Gorge State Park offers many different facilities and activities for visitors to enjoy.
Park Facilities
- 50 campsites for tents, trailers, and RVs
- Backcountry Adirondack shelter (a simple, open-front shelter for hikers)
- An interpretive center where you can learn about the gorge, and a film to watch
- Several overlooks where you can get amazing views of the gorge
- A cool suspension bridge that hangs high above the gorge
- A 63-acre lake with a beach that's open during certain seasons
- 2 picnic shelters, perfect for outdoor meals
- Tennis courts for playing a game
- A pioneer campground
- A gift shop where you can find souvenirs
Exciting Activities
- Whitewater Paddling: You can go whitewater paddling on the first two weekends of April and the first three weekends of November when the water is released.
- Aesthetic Water Releases: Enjoy watching the powerful water releases in spring and fall.
- Hiking and Mountain Biking: There are more than 20 miles of trails to explore.
- Bicycling: Ride your bike on the 1.7-mile paved "Rails to Trails" path.
- Swimming: Take a dip in the lake.
- Rock Climbing: For experienced climbers, there's rock climbing in the gorge.
- Fishing: Try your luck at fishing.
- Picnicking: Enjoy a meal outdoors at one of the picnic areas.
- Interpretive Programs: Learn more about the park through special programs.
- Playing: Just have fun and enjoy nature!
