Atlanta’s rolling, hilly, forested terrain and abundant rivers, creeks, and streams create the perfect environment for one of the most loved of all scenic views: the waterfall. And though they might not be as grand as the waterfalls the North Georgia mountains, Atlanta’s waterfalls are most definitely hike-worthy. Close to the city and easy to explore, these easy to moderate, family-friendly trails are perfect for an afternoon picnic or an early morning hike to start the day.
Waterfalls near Atlanta: our favorite hikes
Grab a water bottle, a friend, and a snack – and then hit the trail to catch some cool, cascading falls. Here are ten of our favorite waterfall trails in metro Atlanta:
![Hike a four mile loop at Sweetwater Creek, just outside Atlanta's I-285 perimeter, to a whitewater-filled creek filled with small, cascading waterfalls]()
Sweetwater Creek State Park
Sweetwater Creek White Trail
4.1 miles
Hike a four-mile loop at Sweetwater Creek State Park, just outside Atlanta’s I-285 perimeter. Visit a whitewater-filled creek filled with small, cascading waterfalls, and hike past a serene pond and through wide-open meadows.
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Emory University
Lullwater Park
2 – 4 miles
Explore meandering trails through the lush forests of Emory University’s campus and visit the spillway waterfall that once powered a 1920s powerhouse. The Lullwater Park Trail makes a great intown waterfall hike, and it’s a fantastic running trail, too.
VIEW TRAIL INFO & MAPS![Hike to terraced, tumbling waterfalls on the Yellow River Trail near Atlanta, GA]()
Yellow River Park
Yellow River Trail
3.2 miles
Hike the Yellow River Trail through some of the most scenic areas along its namesake river, located near Atlanta’s iconic Stone Mountain. This mostly-flat trail meanders along the river’s sandy banks before reaching its shoals, where the river spills in cascading sheets of shallow waterfalls.
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Sweetwater Creek State Park
Sweetwater Creek Red Trail
2.3 miles
Hike the popular Sweetwater Red Trail along the banks of the rushing, whitewater-filled Sweetwater Creek just outside Atlanta. The trail visits mill ruins destroyed in the Civil War and explores the river’s rocky banks, trekking to small, cascading, whitewater-filled waterfalls.
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Roswell Mill
Vickery Creek Trail
4.7 miles
Hike or run the banks of Big Creek in Roswell, exploring rolling forests and two historic mills at Roswell Mill. Near the mills, the Vickery Creek Trail visits the historic Roswell Mill dam, where a stacked-stone spillway offers abundant tumbling waterfall beauty.
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Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area
Arabia Mountain Cascade Trail
.2 – 3.25 miles
Looking for instant gratification? This is your hike! The rushing cascades of Pole Bridge Creek are an easy, family friendly .2 mile hike from the trailhead of the Cascade Trail. For a longer adventure, continue hiking the Wilburn Farm Trail a historic barn and farmhouse ruins to complete a 3.25-mile loop.
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Cochran Mill Park
Henry Mill Falls Trail
4.8 miles
Hike a moderate 5 miler at Cochran Mill Park to visit a cascading waterfall at Henry Mill Falls. The trail explores a scenic forest south of Atlanta and splashes through several creek crossings, making this a great hike for keeping cool in Atlanta’s warm summertime months.
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Chattahoochee River NRA
Johnson Ferry Trail
1.8 miles
Hike this often-overlooked trail in the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area to a small series of cascading waterfalls on Mulberry Creek.
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Cascade Springs Nature Preserve
Cascade Springs Trail
1.9 miles
Escape the urban buzz in the tranquil surroundings of the Cascade Springs Nature Preserve in southwest Atlanta. Trek through a wildflower-filled forest to a historic stacked-stone spring house, a former Civil War battlefield, and a cascading waterfall on this moderate intown loop.
VIEW TRAIL INFO & MAPS![Hike to a small spillway waterfall at Sope Creek Park in Atlanta, the site of a Confederate paper mill on a tumbling tributary creek]()
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
Sope Creek Trail
1 mile
Hike an easy 1 miler, rolling through a shady, fern-filled forest on the Sope Creek Trail near Marietta. You’ll explore the ruins of a Civil War-era paper mill and the waterfall spillway that once powered the mill along the shady, boulder-lined bed of Sope Creek.
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Our favorite hiking gear
What to pack for your waterfall adventure?
Ready to hit the trail, but wondering what to pack? Our hiking gear list features our favorite, trail-tested hiking gear for day hikes on local trails and in the Georgia backcountry. We print and stitch our Atlanta Trails shirts and hats locally in Atlanta and Asheville, and they’re our favorite for trail adventures all over the South. And no matter what you pack in, pack it all back out. Please leave no trace and help preserve Georgia’s beauty.
OUR HIKING GEAR LIST
North Georgia waterfalls
Looking for a more remote hike, or down to chase some larger falls? Hike our top ten North Georgia waterfall hikes to catch some seriously stunning waterfalls nestled in the southern Appalachians. New to hiking, or planning a hike with young kids? Check out these seven waterfall hikes in Georgia, all under two miles, to grand cascades without a difficult hike. And search for a stunning cascade near you with our Georgia waterfalls map.
REMINDER: Slippery rocks and fast moving water can be extremely dangerous! Do not climb, stand above, swim near, or jump from any waterfall. See more water safety tips.
Please Remember
Always leave no trace, pack out everything you pack in, and if you see trash, pick it up and pack it out.
Stay on the marked trail, tell someone where you're going, pack safety and wayfinding essentials, and don't rely on a mobile phone to find your way. Please always practice good trail etiquette. And before you go, always check the trailhead kiosk, official maps, and the park or ranger office for notices of changed routes, trail closures, safety information, and restrictions.
