Located just 2 hours northwest of Atlanta in Rising Fawn, Georgia, Hemlock Falls is one of two gorgeous waterfalls that can be found deep inside a gorge in Cloudland Canyon. We’re nearby locals, so this is one of our favorite Georgia waterfalls to visit during a day trip or weekend off. Here’s a list of our top tips and secrets for making the best of your visit!
Best Time to Visit Hemlock Falls
We definitely prefer and recommend fall! Not only does the waterfall look extra pretty when framed by the golden-leaved colors of the season, but fall is also the best time to visit Hemlock Falls in order to see clearer and calmer waters, which will result in all your photos looking more peaceful, tranquil, and full of that social-media aesthetic that everyone is always looking for.
The other seasons are good picks as well, of course, and if you’re a big adventure enthusiast, you might actually love summer the best. During the summer months, it rains a lot so the waterfall tends to flow more powerfully and aggressively. This can be a lot of fun but also results in kicking up a lot of sediment which will turn the waterfall and pool beneath it a muddy shade of brown instead of clear or blue-tinted.
There’s More Than One Hemlock Falls in Georgia
This is one of the first things I need to point out. Otherwise you will probably get confused. And if you Google “Hemlock Falls,” you will probably get even more confused because it’s the other Hemlock Falls that will come up first if you search for this waterfall by name. The better known Hemlock Falls is located in Clarkesville, Georgia, at Moccasin Creek State Park near Lake Burton. This is NOT that waterfall. The lesser-known but even more beautiful Hemlock Falls is located in Rising Fawn, Georgia, at Cloudland Canyon State Park near the western edge of Lookout Mountain. This article refers to the Hemlock Falls that can be found at Cloudland Canyon. This is the one you want!
How to Get to Hemlock Falls
Hemlock Falls is located inside of Cloudland Canyon State Park, our favorite state park in Georgia! From Atlanta, it’s a 2-hour drive northwest on I-75 North. From Chattanooga, it’s an even shorter 30-minute drive southwest on I-24 West and I-59 South.
Once you enter the park, you’ll be situated near the top of the canyon, and there will be signs nearby to direct you to wherever you want to go. To find Hemlock Falls, follow the signs for the Waterfalls Trail. From the main parking lot and lookout areas, this means heading to the left to find the correct path to start your waterfall adventure.
What Does it Cost to See Hemlock Falls?
To see Hemlock Falls, you only need to pay for parking. It costs just $5 per vehicle and gives you access to the entire state park, with over 100 miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails across 3,538 beautiful acres that beg to be explored. There’s also an annual pass available for $50 which will give you access to any and all state parks in Georgia, not just this one.
Is There a Hike to Get to the Waterfall?
There is a hike required to see Hemlock Falls. You’ll need to take the Waterfalls Trail from the top of Cloudland Canyon. It’s just 2-miles roundtrip but is classified as strenuous due to the steep descent and elevation change required to go down and come back up again. The waterfall is located at the bottom of the canyon floor, along with a second waterfall, and you will descend almost 400 feet in just a mile in order to reach it. There are stairs throughout the hike to make the journey easier, but with over 600 stairs total, be prepared to have your legs burning!
The hike is well worth it though, and the trip will take you past a lot of really neat geological features. One of my favorites is this ginormous boulder that is perfectly balanced so that it looks like it’ll fall on your face and crush you at any moment.
How Many Stairs Do You Have to Climb at Hemlock Falls?
There are over 600 stairs required to get to Hemlock Falls, but the trail there is actually the easy part because it’s all downhill. The waterfall is actually located at the bottom of a deep canyon floor, so you’ll be descending nearly 400 feet in just a mile of hiking. Of course, that means that for the trip back you’ll have to climb up those 600 stairs, and that’s when you’ll really get tired, so be sure to give yourself plenty of time to rest. Those stairs can easily get your heart racing really fast if you’re not used to strenuous hikes or climbs such as this. Bring lots of water (it helps!) and stop at the rest points located throughout the stairs to catch your breath and calm your heart.
Can You Swim at Hemlock Falls?
The pool at the bottom of the falls may look inviting, but the official rule by the park is that wading or swimming in Hemlock Falls is prohibited.
I do see a lot of people breaking the rules and getting into the water a lot during summer, so there probably won’t be anyone to stop you if you do attempt to try it, but the park does ask that everyone stay on the designated viewing platform. This is for your safety as well as the safety and preservation of the local environment.
The falls can also be very dangerous if you get too close, but the wooden deck provides a safe place to admire them from afar.
This hike will also take you alongside Daniel Creek on your ways to the falls, so if you really want to get your feet wet, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to dip your toes in as you pass by the pretty water here.
Can You Walk Behind the Waterfall at Hemlock Falls?
Can you? Yes. Should you? Probably not. Like other state parks in Georgia, Cloudland Canyon asks that visitors stay on the designated trails and not travel beyond the provided waterfall viewing platforms, but I do see a lot of people at Hemlock Falls venturing behind the waterfall to take photos or experience the roar of the tumbling water overhead. This isn’t safe, as the rocks are wet and slippery, and you could easily fall into the white water, injure yourself, or become trapped underwater and drown.
I do genuinely think that some people miss the signs and just don’t even realize that it’s proper trail etiquette to stay on platform and not get in the water. And then once one or two people start getting in the water or going behind the falls, that’s all it takes before everyone else will soon start to follow. So it’s not uncommon to see a lot of people getting in the water or trying to walk behind the falls. But the official statement from park rangers is that it’s not allowed and you’re not supposed to do it.
How Tall is Hemlock Falls?
Hemlock Falls is a plunge waterfall and is over 90 feet tall!
Is Hemlock Falls Dog-Friendly?
Yes, the Hemlock Falls located at Cloudland Canyon is dog-friendly! So you can bring your furry buddies with you, but just make sure that you keep them leashed at all times (a requirement). Note that while all dogs are allowed on the Waterfalls Trail, smaller and shorter-legged ones might have a difficult time with it due to all the stairs required on the hike (over 600) so definitely proceed with caution if you are unsure about your pup’s capabilities.
Are There Bears at Hemlock Falls?
Bears definitely frequent the area, and there are even signs located throughout the park that warn you of their presence, so be aware. You’re less likely to encounter them on the way to Hemlock Falls than in other areas of the park though since the Waterfalls Trail is so popular. The noise of constant travelers walking this path will more often than not scare away any bears who might be in the area, but if you are still worried about it, just sing aloud or make other noises while walking to help keep you from sneaking up on one and startling it.
What’s the Other Waterfall That’s Located Right Next to Hemlock Falls?
Cherokee Falls is the other waterfall located on the Waterfalls Trail hike at Cloudland Canyon. You will actually reach it first, at around the half mile point of the descent, and then Hemlock Falls will be located another half mile further (and deeper) into the canyon. Cherokee Falls is actually our favorite of the two, so you definitely won’t want to miss it! (We have a separate article about that waterfall coming soon, too!)
What Else is There to Do at Cloudland Canyon?
There’s so much to see at Cloudland Canyon! The canyon itself, of course, is the biggest attraction! It is so beautiful any time of year but especially during fall or summer! The park covers 3,538 acres total and has over 64 miles of hiking trails, 30 miles of biking trails, and 16 miles of horseback riding trails for you to explore on your visit. There’s also campsites, cottages, and cabins available to rent and plenty of overlook spots perfect for taking souvenir photos.
Read Next: 10 Best Cloudland Canyon State Park Waterfalls, Trails, & Things to Do
Other Attractions Nearby
Rock City is located just 25 minutes away and is one of my favorite places in all of Georgia! It’s actually probably my number 1 favorite place!
Chattanooga is also less than just a half hour away!
There’s also Fort Mountain State Park, which is a little further away at around an hour and 22 minutes by car.
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