Everything You Need to Know about Anna Ruby Falls!
Anna Ruby Falls looks like something you’d find on a post card! Even better, it’s located less than 2 hours from Atlanta, making it a perfect day trip. The hike is short, paved, and family-friendly, with beautiful views the entire way. Keep reading for everything you need to know before visiting Anna Ruby Falls.
Getting to the Trail Head
Anna Ruby Falls is located just 15 minutes from Helen, GA. To get to the falls, you’ll pass through Unicoi State Park. Once on the other side of Unicoi you’ll reach the gate where you’ll have to pay an entrance fee. State park passes do not work for Anna Ruby Falls, it is $5 per adult (children under 16 are free).
Drive a short distance more and you’ll reach a large parking lot. At the trailhead is a visitors center, bathrooms and a few vending machines. The trail to the falls starts on the left side of the parking lot, by the bear statue.
Anna Ruby Falls Trail
The trail is only .8 miles round trip and usually takes less than an hour to complete. The trail is paved, well maintained, and wide enough to allow traffic to pass both ways. You can expect to encounter a lot of people on this trail since this is a very popular waterfall.
The trail is uphill the entire way, though some sections are steeper than others. Thankfully, it’s a short hike, so you’ll reach the falls fairly quickly. There are two viewing platforms once you arrive. To reach the first, continue straight and take a short set of stairs to a smaller overlook. From here, you’ll get a beautiful, full view of the twin waterfalls from a slight distance.
You can also enjoy a similar view from the bridge leading to the second platform. To get there, take a short flight of stairs to a spacious platform with benches, perfect for resting and soaking in the scenery. Since everyone wants photos of (and with) the falls, be sure to stay considerate and wait your turn for that perfect shot.
The Best Time to Visit
Anna Ruby Falls is gorgeous year round so there really isn’t a bad time to visit. It will likely be busier in the summer, but there were still quite a few people when we visited in January. Like any waterfall, it will be fullest during the rainy season or after a few good days of rain.
The falls are typically open Monday- Friday from 9:00am- 5:00pm, with the last admission at 4:00pm. During the winter (January & February) they are only opened Thursday- Sunday.
Frequently Asked Questions
Other Things to do in the Area
Anna Ruby Falls is close to Unicoi State Park and Smithgall Woods State Park. You could easily spend the morning exploring the falls and the afternoon in one of these state parks.
Helen is also just a quick 10 minute drive away from the falls, making it a perfect place to stop by for lunch for even just a coffee. Helen has many shops, an alpine roller coaster and mini golf if you wanted to spend a little more time there.
If you’re up for another hike, Duke Creek Falls is only 20 minutes away and is a must visit.
