Named for the plate of armor found at the falls believed to have belonged to Hernando DeSoto, DeSoto Falls hike is an easy, wide path to two scenic waterfalls. Perfect for a family outing with younger children and just 30 minutes from Helen, Ga.

The trailhead, parking, and restrooms are located along US 19. Following the signs to the trail, you will notice many camping spots with fire pits. The path crosses Frogtown creek, which is where it splits. A quarter of a mile to the left is the lower falls and ¾ of a mile to the right is the upper falls.

Easy to follow and marked with green blazes, the only moderate section along this hike is the few switchbacks climbing the hillside to reach the lower falls observation deck. The rest of the path never strays far from the creek. Due to the short length and lower difficulty, don’t expect to find solitude on this hike, especially in the summer months. The best time to view the falls is shortly after a good rain, especially in the spring and winter. The images here were taken in December a couple days after rain.