Name: Anna Ruby Falls
Rating: 5

Hikes Map Explore

Anna Ruby Falls Anna Ruby Falls Recreation Area, GA

LENGTH 1 MILE

DIFFICULTY 1.3 Easy

DURATION 30 minutes

ELEVATION GAIN

220

feet

TRAIL TYPE

There And
Back Again

Anna Ruby Falls

Enjoy this easy hike along a short paved that follows a beautiful creek to Anna Ruby Falls. From several observation decks you'll get amazing views of this powerful series of waterfalls. While it can get crowded, this is still a great family hike suitable for all skill levels.

Begin next to the Visitor Center where you'll find restrooms, snacks, drinks and merch. To the left, follow the wide paved path along Smith Creek up to the falls. The entirety of this hike is along this scenic creek and there are plenty of places to stop and enjoy it's smaller cascades.

Information signs dot the pathway adding more interest about the area. At .4 miles, the Smith Creek Trail connects to the right. This is a much longer and more difficult trail. Here you also come to the first observation platform for Anna Ruby Falls.

Cross over the bridge and up to the larger observation deck for a closer view. Smith Creek and York Creek converge in an impressive series of multi-tiered waterfalls, each quite powerful on its own. You'll have no doubts why this trail is so popular. This is one of the best waterfalls Georgia has to offer.

Anna Ruby Falls.
The large parking lot should tell you this trail gets crowded on weekends.

Anna Ruby Falls.
There was live music at the Visitor Center on the Saturday I was here.

Anna Ruby Falls.
Cross over the Smith Creek a couple times by way of footbridges.

Anna Ruby Falls.
Large boulders along the trail.

Anna Ruby Falls.
The paved trail follows the Smith Creek closely.

Anna Ruby Falls.
Information signs line the path to add additional interest.

Anna Ruby Falls.
The only side trail is the Smith Creek Trail that connects just before the falls. This is a one way 4.3 mile trail that is significantly more difficult than the paved path you're on.

Anna Ruby Falls.
The creek just below the falls.

Anna Ruby Falls.
View of the waterfalls from the lower observation deck.

Anna Ruby Falls.
View from the closest observation deck.

Elevation Map Length (miles) by Elevation (feet)

Slope Breakdown

Elevation Gain

Elevation Range

Grade Range

Length

Elevation Gain

0 - 250 ft/mi

~ 0 - 5 %

0.1 mi

18 ft

250 - 500 ft/mi

~ 5 - 10 %

0.2 mi

75 ft

500 - 750 ft/mi

~ 10 - 15 %

0.1 mi

76 ft

750 - 1000 ft/mi

~ 15 - 20 %

207 ft

35 ft

1000+ ft/mi

~ 20+ %

79 ft

16 ft

For out-and-back hikes, elevation loss is the same as the gain.

Terrain Map Click to control map

Navigation

Details

length1 mile

difficulty1.3 Easy

duration30 minutes

features Dog Friendly Paved Path River/Stream Waterfall

trail typeThere And Back Again

blazeNone

elevation gain220 ft.

state Georgia

park/forestAnna Ruby Falls Recreation Area
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest

ranger districtChattooga River District
9975 Highway 441 S
Lakemont, GA 30552
706-754-6221

parking fee$3/person

trailhead coordinates 34.757989, -83.7103 (Degree Decimal, DegDec)
N 34°45.48, W 83°42.62 (Degree Minutes, MinDec)
N 34°45'29'', N 34°45'29'' (Degree Minutes Seconds, DMS)

Trailhead Directions

N 34°45.48, W 83°42.62

Google Map It

Parking Capacity

130+ parking spaces.

Notes

Restrooms, snacks, drinks, and merch are available at the Visitor Center.

Nearby Hikes

Anna Ruby Falls via the Smith Creek Trail

8.7 mi

12.2

Tray Mountain via Indian Grave Gap

5 mi

9.4

Rocky Mountain via Indian Grave Gap

2.3 mi

7.1

Tray Mountain via Tray Gap

Similar Hikes

Amicalola Falls Base of the Falls

0.7 mi

2.6

Amicalola Falls Lower Loop

1.6 mi

3.2

Upper Whitewater Falls

0.5 mi

1.2

Upper Whitewater Falls Loop

Reviews / Comments

Average Review Rating

5 (2)

New Review New Comment

Smokey12-4 years ago

Gorgeous!

Such a beautiful falls!!! A short hike but combined with the short nature hike near the visitor center it would be great for an outing with the kids. Lots of signs with interesting info along the trails. One note - because of the pandemic they were limiting parking to 65 cars so we had to wait in a line of about 10 cars. As one car left, they let one car in. This meant it wasn't all that crowded on a Saturday afternoon when they'd normally be packed and it was easy to practice social distancing.

Easy | Hiked Summer 2020

hikethesouth-5 years ago

Easy Paved Path

If you're not looking for a real hike, this is a perfect trail that takes you to one of GA's best waterfalls. Good for all skill levels. Wide, easy paved path.

Easy | Hiked Summer 2019

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Disclaimer: Hiking can be dangerous. The information on this site is meant as a guide and represents trail conditions at a given time. Always let someone know where you are going. A basic knowledge of first aid, backcountry navigation, and some common sense are highly encouraged. The difficulty and duration ratings are subjective and will not be representative of everyone's experience.

Disclaimer Disclaimer: Falling off a cliff, drowning in a river, or being eaten by a bear is still a better way to go than dying of a heart attack while sitting in traffic on the way to the office.