Atlanta TrailsbyTrailful Outdoor Co
Hiking Trails in Georgia

Angel Falls Trail at Lake Rabun Beach

Hike the Angel Falls Trail at North Georgia’s Lake Rabun Beach campground to two beautiful waterfalls, Angel Falls and Panther Falls.

georgia hiking trails: 0-2 miles 1.75 miles
(round trip)
? Your mileage may vary! Accuracy of your GPS device, weather conditions, and stops along your route will affect your own recorded distance.
georgia hiking trails: moderaterelatively
moderate
?Our difficulty estimate, based on distance, terrain, elevation change, & ease of wayfinding. May vary daily due to weather, trail reroutes, downed trees, etc.
georgia hiking trails: dog-friendly Dog-
friendly
?Leashed dogs are allowed on this trail. We’ve loved hiking this route with our trail-loving Labrador Retrievers! Check out more of our favorite dog-friendly trails in Georgia for a great hike with your pup.

LOCATION:Rabun County, east of Hiawassee, Georgia

PACK:our Osprey day pack and our hiking gear list

OFFICIAL MAP: Nat Geo 778 Trails Illustrated Map (find it at Trailful Outdoor Co.)

Near the historic lakeside town of Lakemont, the Angel Falls Trail explores two tumbling waterfalls, Panther Falls and Angel Falls, in a beautiful creek valley. Hiking less than two miles, round trip, the trail is a fantastic family-friendly hike for campers at the Lake Rabun Beach Campground, and worthy of a visit for anyone exploring the namesake lake of Rabun County.

Angel Falls Trail: hiking at Lake Rabun Beach Campground

Nestled deep in rolling mountains, Lake Rabun’s winding shoreline and glassy waters are a favorite North Georgia destination for hiking, boating, kayaking, and camping. Just below the lake’s dam, the Tallulah River plummets in a series of enormous waterfalls deep in the steep-walled depths of Tallulah Gorge.

Hike the Angel Falls Trail at North Georgia's Lake Rabun Beach campground to two beautiful waterfalls, Angel Falls and Panther Falls. #hiking #trailrunning #camping #atlanta #georgia #travel #outdoors #adventure

Angel Falls Trail: the hike

The adventure begins at a trailhead in Loop 2 of the Lake Rabun Beach Campground (view maps and driving directions). The trail follows Joe Creek upstream, crossing a wooden bridge and catching sight of a small, multi-tiered waterfall near the trailhead. The hike ascends stone stairs, climbing elevation into a sun-dappled forest filled with fern, rhododendron and mountain laurel.

The hike continues to ascend, with Joe Creek tumbling over a rocky creek bed on the trail’s right side. The hike reaches a historic, moss-covered stone bench at .3 mile, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps at the site of a small spring in the early 20th century. Now diverted, the spring once flowed through the stone channel below the bench, a source of water for the nearby CCC camp.

Angel Falls Trail: hike to a historic stone spring and two stunning waterfalls in North Gerogia

The trail passes a large, rocky, mossy outcrop on the right before crossing two bridges, and the sound of tumbling water grows louder. The trail reaches Panther Falls at just under .6 mile, where Joe Creek cascades down a stair-stepped rock outcrop into a tranquil pool of water below.

Departing Panther Falls, the hike hangs a right, climbing the trail’s steepest stretch through a sharp switchback. (Metal cables serve as a safety railing on this stretch of the trail; take extra caution with dogs and children.) The hike climbs, reaching a trail loop; a turn in either direction leads to Angel Falls.

Angel Falls Trail: hike through a fern-filled forest to two waterfalls near Lake Rabun

The trail reaches this hike’s second waterfall at .9 miles, catching views of Angel Falls from a wooden platform. Above, the waterfall cascades down over an angled, multi-tiered rock face framed in leafy rhododendron.

Departing the waterfall, the hike retraces its outbound steps to the trailhead. The hike reaches the trailhead at the Rabun Beach Campground at 1.75 miles, finishing the adventure.

Note: slippery rocks and fast moving water can be extremely dangerous! Please don’t climb, stand on, swim near, or jump from any waterfall.



Nearby waterfall adventures

In the area and up for some more waterfall-chasing adventures? Don’t miss the nearby Minnehaha Falls just north on the Lake Rabun shore, a shorter hike to a much larger waterfall. And further north, a beautiful waterfall cascades down into a shady creek valley near the shores of Lake Burton, reached by a popular 2-mile hike on the Hemlock Falls Trail.


 
Leave No Trace: Atlanta Trails, Asheville Trails and Trailful are official Leave No Trace partners

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.

Angel Falls Trail at Lake Rabun Map, Directions & Details

This map shows our approximate route while exploring this trail, but does not replace an official trail map. Please refer to the official trail map for the most current and accurate route.

Love the trail?

This trail is maintained thanks to the hard work of countless volunteers and donations from supporters of the Chattahoochee National Forest. Please support them by making a donation or joining a volunteer day. Let's work together to keep these fantastic trails maintained and open for use!

Driving Directions



Parking

$4 (daily). Camping at the Lake Rabun Beach campground? Walk to the trailhead and save the parking fee.


GPS Coordinates

34.761333, -83.472700     //     N34 45.680 W83 28.362

Elevation Profile

Angel Falls Trail at Lake Rabun: Elevation Profile
 

Eric Champlin is a creative director and photographer who loves to explore southeast. He's the co-owner of Trailful Outdoor Co, a locally-owned hiking outfitter shop in Hiawassee in the Georgia mountains near the Appalachian Trail. He’s also the co-founder of Atlanta Trails and Asheville Trails, digital magazines that highlight the South’s best outdoor adventures. His mission? To inspire others to get fit outdoors and explore the South’s incredible scenic beauty.