All You Need to Know About Tallulah Gorge State Park

Tallulah Gorge is a state park located in North Georgia, making it an easy day trip from your cabin rental in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Considered one of the most spectacular canyons in the eastern US, Tallulah Gorge is two miles long and nearly 1,000 feet deep. Over the millennia, the canyon was formed as the Tallulah River carved through the Tallulah Dome rock formation.

Tallulah Gorge State Park is popular with visitors and locals alike and offers numerous activities, such as hiking, mountain biking, picnics, fishing, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, and more.

A free permit is required to hike to the bottom of the gorge and is not available on water release days, but even without hiking to the bottom, the area is spectacular. A visit to this Georgia State Park will make your getaway to the North Georgia mountains even more memorable than it already is.

About Tallulah Gorge State Park

Leashed pets are welcome on all the rim trails at Tallulah Gorge, so even your furry friends can experience the park’s beauty. For the animals’ safety, pets are not permitted on the gorge floor, the sliding rock trail, or the hurricane trail to the suspension bridge.

The Jane Hurt Yarn Interpretive Center

Photo Credit: SUSAN LEGGETT

The Jane Hurt Yarn Interpretive Center is more than just a typical visitor center for the park; it also offers a gift shop and a fun and educational mini-museum for kids and adults alike. Be sure to pick up some trail maps here so you are well equipped for hiking in the park.

A Unique History in the Park

An interesting and slightly terrifying historical fact about Tallulah Gorge is that some brave adventurers have actually traversed the gorge on a tightrope! While Tallulah Gorge is certainly a historic site, it’s most likely not in the history book you assumed!

The most famous tightrope walker was in 1970 when the German daredevil Karl Wallenda was asked by the Tallulah Falls city to make the walk in hopes of increasing tourism to the gorge. The Georgia governor and 30,000 viewers watched as Wallenda walked 1,000 feet across the gorge in 18 minutes before receiving a martini from his wife on the other side. The metal towers holding Wallenda’s tightrope are still visible today.

Before Wallenda’s precarious walk, J.A. St. John, known as Professor Leon, is considered the first person to walk across the gorge on a tightrope. In 1886, he took 30 minutes to walk across the canyon, nearly falling multiple times in the process.

Luckily, Tallulah Gorge no longer needs such stunts to draw in tourists, as the beauty of the gorge speaks for itself!

Location and Nearby Area

Less than two hours from Ellijay, Tallulah Gorge is a fantastic family-friendly destination to add to your vacation. Tallulah Gorge is located just outside the small town of Tallulah Falls, two hours north of Atlanta.

There are a number of stops around Tallulah Gorge if you can’t get enough of the North Georgia beauty.

A few other places in the area you should visit include:

• Black Rock Mountain state park is only 16 miles from Tallulah Gorge and is Georgia’s highest elevation state park.
• The Cherokee, NC entrance to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is a little over an hour from Tallulah Gorge
• The Nantahala National Forest is only 50 minutes away. Both here and the national park offer excellent hiking opportunities.
• The kooky roadside attraction, Goats on the Roof, is only seven miles from Tallulah Gorge and is located on Highway 441. Kids will love feeding the goats and mining for gems.
• Mountains and quaint small towns characterize north Georgia. Springer Mountain, just outside of Ellijay, is the start of the world-famous Appalachian Trail. The Appalachian Trail goes through 14 states, from Georgia to Maine.

When to Visit Tallulah Gorge

Tallulah Gorge is open year-round from 8 a.m. until sundown. Permits to hike to the bottom of the gorge are limited to 100 per day and cannot be reserved in advance, so plan to arrive early if you would like to venture to the canyon floor.

Each season offers a different experience at Tallulah Gorge. Consider the pros and cons as you are planning your visit.

Spring

Spring in Tallulah Gorge offers endless beauty and fantastic wildflower viewing opportunities. Persistent trillium and monkey-faced orchids are just some of the flora found in the gorge.

Georgia springtime often means rain, so be sure to pack a raincoat! The temperatures at this time of year are generally quite pleasant, making spring an excellent time to visit the gorge, so long as you don’t mind a potential afternoon shower.

Summer

Summer weather in Georgia can be characterized by heat and humidity, but all that sunshine and rain means lush greenery at Tallulah Gorge. Overlooks offer views of distant green hills, and the picnic areas are a great spot to relax and cool down with some ice cream.

While the area’s elevation helps avoid the triple digits temperatures common for Georgia summers, it can still get quite hot, and visitors need to be well prepared for hiking in the gorge.

Bring plenty of water and start hikes early in the morning to avoid the midday heat. This season is perfect for swimming and paddling in the lake, and a slide down Bridal Veil falls is exhilarating.

Autumn

North Georgia is well known for its beautiful nature and is especially popular in the autumn when the fall colors paint the trees in vibrant shades of orange, red, and yellow. Tallulah Gorge is particularly stunning during this season, and you will be amazed by the incredible colors surrounding you. The area is beloved by leaf peepers, so larger crowds than usual are to be expected.

The weather in Georgia will begin to cool down at this time of year but it can be unpredictable. Prepare for all weather conditions by wearing layers, and don’t forget your water!

Winter

Visitors of Tallulah Gorge in the wintertime get to enjoy the park with minimal crowds. The trails stay open year-round, so you can enjoy a brisk hike on a cold winter day. Snow is rare in Tallulah Gorge, with an average of 2” per year.

Features of Tallulah Gorge

Tallulah Gorge has numerous features that are sure to delight visitors. Some require a hike to view, while others can be enjoyed from the canyon rim.

Suspension Bridge

Photo Credit: JayL

The suspension bridge is one of the most popular features of Tallulah Gorge. Located about 300 steps down the Hurricane Falls hiking trail, the bridge sits 80 feet above the canyon floor and provides incredible views of the canyon and waterfalls. This iconic bridge is one of the best places in the park for photography.

Waterfalls

Photo Credit: Anne Elle

When you’re in Tallulah Gorge, you absolutely should go chasing waterfalls! There are five stunning falls in the park, four of which can be seen from the canyon’s rim.

Bridal Veil Waterfall is the only waterfall that cannot be seen from the canyon rim. Also called Sliding Rock, due to the fact that visitors can slide down the rock into the pool below, this waterfall is one of the most popular in the park and provides beautiful views.

The other four beautiful waterfalls are L’Eau d’Or Falls, Tempesta, Hurricane, and Oceana falls. All of these can be seen from the rim, so even if you aren’t hiking, you can enjoy these beauties.

On a typical day, the level of the water flowing through the gorge is 30-45 cubic feet per second, which is plenty to enjoy the waterfalls and swimming. During aesthetic water releases, the dam releases more water, so the flow is 200 cubic feet per second. Hiking into the gorge is not permitted on release days, but the view of the waterfalls from the rim is particularly spectacular.

On select days in April and November, the park has whitewater rafting releases, where the water flows an incredible 500-700 cubic feet per second. On these days, enjoy watching from the rim as talented kayakers test their skills below.

The Canyon

Photo Credit: Sean Pavone

The canyon itself is, of course, the main attraction at Talulah Gorge. At two miles long and nearly 1,000 feet deep, the canyon is a truly stunning sight. Whether you choose to make the journey to the canyon floor or prefer to enjoy it from above with a walk around the rim, this is sure to be one of the most memorable parts of your North Georgia vacation.

What to Do at Tallulah Gorge

There are numerous things to do at Tallulah Gorge and it is easy to find activities to suit everyone in your group. From hiking to picnics and everything in between, you won’t be wanting for anything when you visit this stunning canyon.

Hiking

Photo Credit: Anne Elle

Tallulah Gorge has over 20 miles of trails of varying difficulty. You can find trails leading to waterfalls, overlooks, down the canyon floor, and even the beloved suspension bridge.

A few of our favorite hiking trails in the park include:

• The North Rim Trail and South Rim Trail are on mulched paths with a moderate incline. This trail is pet friendly and great for families with older kids.
• The Gorge Floor Trail requires a free gorge floor permit and is rated very difficult, so it is best to only attempt this trail if you are in good shape and a confident hiker.
• For a longer hike, the Stoneplace Trail is approximately 10 miles roundtrip. This trail also requires a permit, and it is recommended that during hunting season (September to January), you wear reflective orange clothing and obtain your permit before 10 a.m.
• High Bluff Trail also requires a permit obtained from the Interpretive Center. This trail is about four miles roundtrip and bright clothing is recommended during hunting season.
• The Hurricane Falls Trail is about two miles roundtrip but requires 1,099 stairs. The suspension bridge can be found about a quarter of a mile into the trail, down 300 stairs. Thanks to the incredible views from the bridge, this is the most popular trail in the park.
• For a leisurely stroll suitable for young children and pets, the Bill and Dustie MacKay Trail is a great option. It is three miles and paved, following an old railroad bed.

Biking

Mountain biking is a popular activity at Tallulah Gorge. The Stoneplace Trail is approximately 10 miles and is bike friendly. The other bike-friendly trails are High Bluff Trail, four miles, and Bill and Dustie MacKay, three miles and paved.

Rock Climbing

Experienced rock climbers will find numerous multi-pitch trad and mixed aid/trad climbing routes at Tallulah Gorge, mostly rated difficult with a few moderate lines. A permit is required to climb here, and climbing is not allowed on water release dates. It is recommended to call ahead to ensure climbing is possible on the date of your visit.

Swimming and Boating

Above the dam controlling the water flow into the gorge, you can find a beautiful and calm lake perfect for swimming, fishing, and boating. Bring your own SUP, kayak, or canoe, or rent one when you join a paddling tour led by park rangers.

In summer, the Bridal Veils Waterfall becomes a popular swimming hole as well and allows brave visitors to slide down the rock into the pool below.

Whitewater Rafting

Photo Credit: JayL

For experienced paddlers, there are select dates in April and November where the water release levels are far higher at 500-700 cubic feet per second than the aesthetic release levels, 200 cubic feet per second. Paddlers must prove their experience to be permitted to kayak in these class five rapids.

Spectators will enjoy watching from the rim as the kayakers test their skills in the raging whitewater.

Guided Activities

Tallulah Gorge State Park offers numerous guided activities, such as the popular full moon hikes, guided paddling tours, and archery lessons. There is something for people of all ages at Tallulah Gorge.

Picnicking and Family Fun

Tallulah Gorge is the perfect location for a relaxing picnic with beautiful scenery and awe-inspiring views. A picnic shelter is available, or you can set up your lunch at one of the overlooks.

There are also two playgrounds, perfect for families visiting with young kids. Depending on the time of year, the park offers family-friendly events, such as the Trunk or Treat in October.

In Summary

Tallulah Gorge State Park is a perfect choice if you want a fun day trip from your North Georgia cabin rental. The park is only a short drive from Ellijay and Blue Ridge and is surrounded by other interesting stops.

Tallulah Gorge is fun for everyone, from young children to experienced hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, and the memories you make in this gorgeous state park will last a lifetime.