DeSoto Falls
- Height
- 200 ft
- Hike
- 2.4 mi round trip
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Not required
- Dogs
- Allowed
DeSoto Falls drops about 200 ft on Frogtown Creek in Lumpkin County, Georgia. Reaching it is a 2.4 mi hike round trip.
Closures and warnings
USFS waterfall-danger alert for DeSoto 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 | 200 ft |
|---|---|
| Flow note | Three falls on Frogtown Creek: upper 200 ft, middle 67 ft, lower 35 ft. USFS notes two waterfalls easily viewed along the trails. Overall cascade/stream-bed height sometimes cited as 480 ft. |
| Jumping | Prohibited |
|---|
Access
| Hike | 2.4 mi round trip |
|---|---|
| Road | Paved |
| Road note | Recreation area entrance off US 19/129; day-use visitors park in the main lot on the left upon entering. |
| Parking | Day-use parking in the main lot immediately on the left after entering DeSoto Falls Recreation Area. Cell service can be spotty for Recreation.gov Scan & Pay. |
| Fee | $5 per vehicle/day (Recreation.gov Scan & Pay). Forest Annual Pass $25 at FS offices. Senior/Access discounts apply. |
| Hours | Recreation area open 24 hours a day; quiet hours 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Day-use hiking during posted/daylight use of trails. |
| Reservation or permit | Not required |
| Managed by | USDA Forest Service, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest (Blue Ridge Ranger District) |
| Restrooms | No |
|---|---|
| Drinking water | Yes |
| Picnic sites | Yes |
| Note | Potable water April 1 to October 31. Campground requires Recreation.gov reservation (not sold on site). |
Rules
| Dogs | Allowed |
|---|---|
| Camping | Allowed |
Common questions
Common questions
Is DeSoto Falls open?
USFS waterfall-danger alert for DeSoto 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. Hours: Recreation area open 24 hours a day; quiet hours 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Day-use hiking during posted/daylight use of trails.
How tall is DeSoto Falls?
DeSoto Falls drops about 200 ft.
How long is the hike to DeSoto Falls?
It's a 2.4 mi hike round trip. The road in is paved. Recreation area entrance off US 19/129; day-use visitors park in the main lot on the left upon entering. Parking: Day-use parking in the main lot immediately on the left after entering DeSoto Falls Recreation Area. Cell service can be spotty for Recreation.gov Scan & Pay.
Do you need a reservation for DeSoto Falls?
No reservation or permit is required.
Is there a fee at DeSoto Falls?
The fee is $5 per vehicle/day (Recreation.gov Scan & Pay). Forest Annual Pass $25 at FS offices. Senior/Access discounts apply.
When is DeSoto Falls flowing?
Three falls on Frogtown Creek: upper 200 ft, middle 67 ft, lower 35 ft. USFS notes two waterfalls easily viewed along the trails. Overall cascade/stream-bed height sometimes cited as 480 ft.
What facilities are at DeSoto Falls?
Drinking water and picnic sites. No restrooms. Potable water April 1 to October 31. Campground requires Recreation.gov reservation (not sold on site).
Photos
Nearby
Camping nearby
Public land
DeSoto Falls is inside Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests .
Just outside: Raven Cliffs Wilderness (0.5 mi) , Blood Mountain Wilderness (0.6 mi) .
Sources
3
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/chattahoochee-oconee/recreation/desoto-falls-recreation-area (accessed September 28, 2026; backs manager / access.fee / access.hours / access.parking / access.roadNote / access.amenities / rules.dogs / rules.camping, access.permitRequired, waterfall.flowNote, access.roadSurface)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DeSoto_Falls_(Georgia) (accessed September 28, 2026; backs waterbodyName / waterfall.heightFt / waterfall.flowNote / access.hikeDistanceMi / access.hikeDistanceBasis / elevation context)
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/chattahoochee-oconee/alerts/caution-waterfall-dangers (accessed September 28, 2026; backs hazardNote / swimmerNotes.jumpingProhibited)
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