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Tallulah Gorge State Park: A Natural Wonder

Explore a 1,000-ft deep canyon with waterfalls, hiking trails & a suspension bridge in Northeast Georgia's Tallulah Gorge State Park.

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Tallulah Gorge State Park protects one of the most dramatic canyons in the eastern U.S., a 2-mile-long, 1,000-foot-deep gorge carved by the Tallulah River [5, 11]. Visitors can explore rim trails with stunning overlooks, hike to a suspension bridge, and, with a permit, descend to the gorge floor [2, 5]. The park also features a lake for swimming and paddling, a visitor center, and a rich history as a Victorian resort town [4, 8].

A brief summary to Tallulah Gorge State Park

  • Monday 8 am-5 pm
  • Tuesday 8 am-5 pm
  • Wednesday 8 am-5 pm
  • Thursday 8 am-5 pm
  • Friday 8 am-5 pm
  • Saturday 8 am-5 pm
  • Sunday 8 am-5 pm

Local tips

  • Arrive early to secure a parking spot, especially on weekends and holidays [6, 13].
  • Obtain a free permit at the Interpretive Center to hike to the gorge floor, as only 100 permits are issued daily [2, 5].
  • Check the park's event calendar for water release dates to witness the waterfalls at their fullest [4, 11].
  • Wear appropriate footwear for hiking, as trails can be steep and rocky [13, 14].
  • Bring cash for the $5 parking fee [6, 12].
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Getting There

  • Driving

    Tallulah Gorge State Park is located off of GA-15 N. From downtown Atlanta, take I-85 N to I-985 N, then exit onto US-23 N/GA-365 N toward Tallulah Falls [6]. Follow the signs to Tallulah Gorge State Park, which is clearly marked off of GA-15 N [6]. Upon entering the park, you'll pass the camping area before reaching the Welcome Center, where you can pay the $5 parking fee [6, 12]. Parking is $5 per vehicle [2, 12].

  • Public Transport

    While there is no direct public transportation to Tallulah Gorge State Park from Atlanta, you can take a bus to Gainesville, GA, and then a taxi to the park [24]. The bus ride takes approximately 3 hours and costs $14-$60 [24]. A taxi from Gainesville to the park will cost around $95-$120 and take about an hour [24]. Habersham County Transit provides limited public transportation within Habersham County, operating on a reservation basis [26]. Contact them at 706-839-0167 for scheduling and fare information [26]. Keep in mind that this service operates only Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m [26].

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Discover more about Tallulah Gorge State Park

Tallulah Gorge State Park, located in the mountains of Northeast Georgia, is a 2,689-acre haven surrounding Tallulah Gorge, a stunning natural canyon [16, 11]. The gorge itself is approximately two miles long and nearly 1,000 feet deep, formed over millennia by the Tallulah River carving through the bedrock [5, 20]. The Cherokee Indians called the falls Ugunyi, but settlers later named the area Tallulah [16, 21]. The park's main attraction is the series of six waterfalls, known as Tallulah Falls, which cascade down the gorge, dropping a total of 500 feet in one mile [11, 3]. Visitors can experience the gorge from various vantage points. Rim trails offer moderate hikes to overlooks providing panoramic views [2, 5]. For a closer look, the Hurricane Falls Trail descends via numerous stairs to a suspension bridge swaying 80 feet above the riverbed [2, 4]. Adventurous visitors can obtain a free permit to hike the Gorge Floor Trail, which leads to Sliding Rock, a natural waterslide [2, 14]. However, permits are limited to 100 per day and are not available during water release events [2, 13]. Tallulah Gorge has a rich history as a tourist destination, dating back to the 19th century when a railroad brought visitors to the area [3, 11]. In the early 20th century, Georgia Power dammed the Tallulah River for hydroelectric power, leading to conservation efforts to protect the gorge [3, 16]. Today, Georgia Power partners with the state to maintain the park, offering controlled water releases on select weekends so visitors can witness the falls' full power [3, 21]. The Jane Hurt Yarn Interpretive Center offers exhibits about the gorge's history, ecology, and the area's Victorian past [2, 8].

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