Anna Ruby Falls
- Height
- 153 ft
- Hike
- 0.4 mi each way
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Not required
- Dogs
- Allowed
Anna Ruby Falls drops about 153 ft on Smith Creek in White County, Georgia. Reaching it is a 0.4 mi hike each way.
Closures and warnings
USFS waterfall-danger alert for Anna Ruby Falls Recreation Area: stay on established trails; never climb on or around waterfalls; never jump or dive into plunge pools. As of August 10, 2026.
The falls
| Height | 153 ft |
|---|---|
| Flow note | Twin falls: Curtis Creek drops 153 ft and York Creek drops 50 ft, joining at the base to form Smith Creek. USFS describes the tallest plunge as more than 150 ft. |
| Swimming allowed | No |
|---|---|
| Jumping | Prohibited |
Access
| Hike | 0.4 mi each way |
|---|---|
| Road | Paved |
| Road note | Access road reaches the recreation area through the Unicoi State Park corridor; pay at the Anna Ruby Falls gatehouse, not the Unicoi gate. |
| Parking | Admission includes parking at Anna Ruby Falls Visitor Center & Recreation Area, 3455 Anna Ruby Falls Rd, Helen, GA. Accessible parking near the visitor center. |
| When it fills | Parking can be limited during busy times; follow posted signs and staff guidance. |
| Fee | $6 ages 16+; under 15 free. Georgia State Park Pass not accepted. America the Beautiful passes accepted. |
| Hours | Open year-round 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; last ticket sale 5:00 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. |
| Reservation or permit | Not required |
| Seasonal closure | Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. |
| Wheelchair access | Lot to visitor center accessible. Main paved trail too steep for wheelchairs/scooters; use Lion's Eye Trail (~0.1 mi), which does not reach the falls. |
| Managed by | USDA Forest Service, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest (operated by FIND Outdoors) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
|---|---|
| Picnic sites | Yes |
| Note | Visitor center and gift shop; restrooms and gift shop close 5:30 p.m. during the main season; gatehouse locks at 6:00 p.m. |
Rules
| Dogs | Allowed |
|---|---|
| Camping | Not allowed |
Common questions
Common questions
Is Anna Ruby Falls open?
USFS waterfall-danger alert for Anna Ruby Falls Recreation Area: stay on established trails; never climb on or around waterfalls; never jump or dive into plunge pools. As of August 10, 2026. Seasonal closure: Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Hours: Open year-round 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; last ticket sale 5:00 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
How tall is Anna Ruby Falls?
Anna Ruby Falls drops about 153 ft.
Can you swim at Anna Ruby Falls?
No, swimming is not allowed at Anna Ruby Falls.
How long is the hike to Anna Ruby Falls?
It's a 0.4 mi hike each way. The road in is paved. Access road reaches the recreation area through the Unicoi State Park corridor; pay at the Anna Ruby Falls gatehouse, not the Unicoi gate. Parking: Admission includes parking at Anna Ruby Falls Visitor Center & Recreation Area, 3455 Anna Ruby Falls Rd, Helen, GA. Accessible parking near the visitor center. Parking can be limited during busy times; follow posted signs and staff guidance.
Do you need a reservation for Anna Ruby Falls?
No reservation or permit is required.
Is there a fee at Anna Ruby Falls?
The fee is $6 ages 16+; under 15 free. Georgia State Park Pass not accepted. America the Beautiful passes accepted.
When is Anna Ruby Falls flowing?
Twin falls: Curtis Creek drops 153 ft and York Creek drops 50 ft, joining at the base to form Smith Creek. USFS describes the tallest plunge as more than 150 ft.
Photos
Nearby
Camping nearby
Public land
Anna Ruby Falls is inside Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests .
Sources
6
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/chattahoochee-oconee/recreation/anna-ruby-falls-recreation-area (accessed September 28, 2026; backs manager, waterfall.heightFt / waterfall.flowNote, access.fee)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Ruby_Falls (accessed September 28, 2026; backs waterfall.heightFt / waterfall.flowNote / waterbodyName)
- https://gofindoutdoors.org/sites/anna-ruby-falls/ (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.hikeDistanceMi, access.hikeDistanceBasis, access.roadSurface)
- https://gofindoutdoors.org/anna-ruby-admissions/ (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.fee / access.hours / access.seasonalClosure / access.permitRequired)
- https://gofindoutdoors.org/anna-ruby-know-before-you-go/ (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.parking / access.parkingPattern / access.roadNote / access.wheelchairAccess / access.amenities / rules.dogs / rules.camping / swimmerNotes.swimmingAllowed)
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/chattahoochee-oconee/alerts/caution-waterfall-dangers (accessed September 28, 2026; backs swimmerNotes.jumpingProhibited / hazardNote)
More: Georgia waterfalls · waterfalls near Atlanta · waterfalls near Helen