Right now
Right now as of Oct 28, 2026
- Permit Ticket required ($6 / person (16+)).
Status note (Oct 28, 2026): Open daily except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The Forest Service page (updated April 17, 2026) lists the site open and defers to FIND Outdoors for operations. What the status labels mean
Anna Ruby Falls is a pair of side-by-side waterfalls in Chattahoochee National Forest near Helen, Georgia. A 0.4-mile paved trail leads to two observation decks. Admission is $6 per person ages 16 and up, and FIND Outdoors lists hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the last ticket at 5 p.m.
About Anna Ruby Falls
Two creeks create this waterfall. Curtis Creek drops 153 feet and York Creek drops 50 feet, according to Wikipedia, and the two streams meet at the base to form Smith Creek. The Forest Service describes twin waterfalls with the tallest plunging more than 150 feet.
The falls are named for Anna Ruby Nichols, the daughter of an early settler. The land belongs to the National Forest, but the nonprofit FIND Outdoors runs the site day to day. It was called the Cradle of Forestry in America Interpretive Association until a 2020 rename.
Anna Ruby Falls is run separately from Unicoi State Park, by FIND Outdoors with the Forest Service, even though the road to it runs through the park. The falls charge their own per-person fee, and FIND Outdoors says a Georgia ParkPass does not cover admission. The pass is required at state parks such as Amicalola Falls.
Two more north Georgia falls are on this site. Raven Cliff Falls lies west of Helen in the same national forest, and Toccoa Falls is a 186-foot drop on a university campus in Toccoa.
Anna Ruby Falls vs Ruby Falls
Anna Ruby Falls and Ruby Falls are different places. Anna Ruby Falls is a pair of outdoor waterfalls in the national forest near Helen, Georgia. Ruby Falls is an underground waterfall inside Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Getting there and parking
The visitor center and parking lot are at 3455 Anna Ruby Falls Road, Helen, GA 30545. FIND Outdoors says parking is included with admission, and you must park only in designated areas.
Directions from Helen
FIND Outdoors gives this route from Helen: take GA-17/75 north (Main Street), turn right on GA-356 east, then bear slightly left onto Anna Ruby Falls Road. Stay left to arrive. We found no official mileage or drive time.
The road passes through Unicoi State Park. Continue past the Unicoi gatehouse and pay at the Anna Ruby gatehouse, where FIND Outdoors takes cash or card. No advance tickets are needed.
Admission and hours
Admission is $6 per person for ages 16 and up, and children 15 and under get in free, according to FIND Outdoors (as listed Oct 2026). Older guides and a 2025 Forest Service page list $5, which is out of date.
FIND Outdoors lists hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the last ticket sale at 5 p.m. An older Forest Service page listed shorter hours, but the current Forest Service page defers to FIND Outdoors for operations.
Questions on the day? FIND Outdoors lists its phone number as 706.878.1448. Restrooms are available during operating hours, according to FIND Outdoors.
Map and nearby falls
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The hike
The main trail is paved and runs 0.4 miles each way along Smith Creek to two observation decks. FIND Outdoors notes it is steep in places, with benches along the way. It suggests planning at least 2 hours for a visit.
FIND Outdoors says the main trail is not suitable for wheelchairs, scooters or other mobility devices. Strollers are allowed at your own risk because of the steep grade. The Forest Service says the route from the parking lot to the visitor center is wheelchair accessible.
The paved Lion's Eye Trail is designed for visitors with visual impairments, with interpretive signs in normal text and braille, according to the Forest Service.
For a longer outing, the Smith Creek Trail leaves the main trail near the upper bridge and continues to Unicoi State Park. FIND Outdoors warns that the gate closes at the end of the day and staff cannot offer pickup or rescue.
Dogs must stay on a leash at all times, and FIND Outdoors asks you to clean up after your pet. Dogs are not allowed in the gift shop or restrooms.
When to visit
The falls are open 7 days a week, year-round, apart from holiday closures. FIND Outdoors lists hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the last ticket at 5 p.m.
Closures
FIND Outdoors closes the site on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. A Forest Service page also lists the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, so check before a holiday trip.
Weather and upkeep can close the trail too. FIND's FAQ says heavy rain, storms, ice, high winds or maintenance can affect trail access. FIND posts weather interruptions on its Facebook and Instagram pages.
As of October 2026, we found no report of Hurricane Helene damage at Anna Ruby Falls.
| Height | 153 ftNote: 153 ft on Curtis Creek and 50 ft on York Creek, per Wikipedia; the Forest Service says the tallest drops more than 150 ft |
|---|---|
| Trail | 0.4 mi each way on a paved trail to two observation decks |
| Difficulty | Easy, with a few short steep sections (FIND Outdoors) |
| Time needed | Plan at least 2 hours for the visit (FIND Outdoors) |
| Entry fee | $6 per person ages 16 and up; 15 and under free (FIND Outdoors, as listed Oct 2026) |
| Permit / reservation | No permit; per-person admission fee applies |
| Parking | Visitor center lot; included with admission |
| Hours / season | 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., last ticket sale 5 p.m.; closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (FIND Outdoors, as listed Oct 2026) |
| Dogs | Allowed on a leash at all times; not allowed in the gift shop or restrooms (FIND Outdoors) |
| Swimming | No. FIND Outdoors does not allow swimming or fishing and asks visitors to stay out of the creek |
| Wheelchair / stroller | Main trail not suitable for wheelchairs or scooters (FIND Outdoors); the Forest Service says the route from the parking lot to the visitor center is wheelchair accessible |
| Walk behind the falls | No |
| Restrooms | Yes, during operating hours (FIND Outdoors) |
| Managed by | U.S. Forest Service, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest; operated by FIND Outdoors |
Safety and swimming
Swimming is not allowed at Anna Ruby Falls, and FIND Outdoors asks visitors to stay out of the creek. Fishing is not allowed either, and you should stay on the trail.
Drones are not allowed. View the falls from the paved trail and the two observation decks, and do not climb on the rocks along Smith Creek. The Forest Service page carries a standing caution about waterfall dangers.
The main hazard on the trail itself is its steep sections. Take them slowly, especially with a stroller or young children, and use the benches to rest.
For general tips, see our waterfall safety page.
Where to stay near Anna Ruby Falls
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Photos
Anna Ruby Falls FAQ
How much does Anna Ruby Falls cost in 2026?
$6 per person ages 16 and up, according to FIND Outdoors (as listed Oct 2026). Children 15 and under are free. A Georgia ParkPass does not cover admission.
What are Anna Ruby Falls' hours?
FIND Outdoors lists 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the last ticket sale at 5 p.m. The site closes on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
How long is the walk to Anna Ruby Falls?
0.4 miles each way on a paved trail, so 0.8 miles round trip. It is steep in places, with benches along the way. FIND Outdoors suggests planning at least 2 hours for a visit.
Is Anna Ruby Falls wheelchair accessible?
Not the main trail. FIND Outdoors says it is not suitable for wheelchairs, scooters or other mobility devices. The Forest Service says the route from the parking lot to the visitor center is wheelchair accessible.
Are dogs allowed at Anna Ruby Falls?
Yes, on a leash at all times. FIND Outdoors asks you to clean up after your pet, and dogs are not allowed in the gift shop or restrooms.
Is Anna Ruby Falls the same as Ruby Falls?
No. Anna Ruby Falls is a pair of outdoor waterfalls in Chattahoochee National Forest near Helen, Georgia. Ruby Falls is an underground waterfall inside Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Why is Anna Ruby Falls closed?
It closes on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Heavy rain, storms, ice, high winds or maintenance can also affect trail access. FIND Outdoors posts closures on Facebook and Instagram, or call 706.878.1448.
Is Anna Ruby Falls part of Unicoi State Park?
No. It is run separately by FIND Outdoors with the Forest Service, in Chattahoochee National Forest. The road in runs through Unicoi State Park, but Anna Ruby charges its own fee, and a Georgia ParkPass does not cover admission.
Nearby waterfalls
High Shoals Falls5 mi straight-lineOpen
Raven Cliff Falls6 mi straight-lineOpen60FT
Helton Creek Falls10 mi straight-lineOpen100FT COMBINED, 100+
Panther Creek Falls19 mi straight-linePartly open70FT
Toccoa Falls23 mi straight-lineOpen186FT
Glen Falls33 mi straight-lineOpen70FT
Amicalola Falls33 mi straight-linePartly open729FT
Dry Falls34 mi straight-lineOpen75FT
Bridal Veil Falls35 mi straight-lineOpen45FT
Whitewater Falls44 mi straight-lineOpen411FT
Bald River Falls47 mi straight-lineOpen90FT
Mingo Falls59 mi straight-lineOpen120FT
City guides: Waterfalls near Atlanta, GA · Waterfalls near Blue Ridge, GA · Waterfalls near Helen, GA
On these lists: Dog-friendly waterfalls · Easy waterfall hikes
Sources
The Forest Service pass rule and the Wednesday-before-Thanksgiving closure come from search-result excerpts of an older Forest Service page. Confirm fees and rules on the official sites.
- FIND Outdoors: Anna Ruby Falls (hours, admission, phone)
- FIND Outdoors: Anna Ruby Falls FAQs (swimming, drones, ParkPass, accessibility, dogs)
- USDA Forest Service: Anna Ruby Falls Recreation Area (last updated April 17, 2026)
- Explore Georgia: Anna Ruby Falls Recreation Area
- Helen, GA CVB: Anna Ruby Falls
- Wikipedia: Anna Ruby Falls
- Blue Ridge Outdoors: FIND Outdoors, new brand for the Cradle of Forestry in America Interpretive Association
- Georgia State Parks: ParkPass
Last verified Oct 28, 2026 by The Waterfall Guide editorial team. Conditions change: confirm with U.S. Forest Service, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest; operated by FIND Outdoors before you go. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.