Located just ten minutes from the cute German village of downtown Helen, Georgia, or a short hour and 45 minute drive from Atlanta, Anna Ruby Falls is a beloved stop for many Georgia travelers due to its unique features. The most celebrated of these is the fact that Anna Ruby is made up of not just one single waterfall but two twin waterfalls, flowing side by side.
This is one of the best and most popular waterfalls in Georgia. Being locals ourselves, we visit here often, especially during Georgia’s fall season, when the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest comes alive with the pretty and vibrant colors of the changing leaves. You won’t want to miss this beautiful stop if you’re anywhere near the area, so here’s our favorite facts and top tips for making the most of your visit!
Anna Ruby Falls is Two Twin Waterfalls, and the Tallest is 153 Feet
The name Anna Ruby Falls might mislead some people to believe that this is just one waterfall, but the name actually collectively refers to two separate waterfalls, located at the same destination, which tumble over the cliff side by side.
The tallest flume lies on the left side of the twin falls, just behind the upper viewing platform, and reaches 153 feet in height. You can see its full height pictured below.
Where Anna Ruby Falls Got Its Name
Legend says that a local Confederate soldier, Colonel John H “Captain” Nichols, found the twin waterfalls while horseback riding in the area and decided to collectively name them Anna Ruby, after his only daughter.
Where the Water Comes From
Hidden from your view when standing at the bottom of the waterfall, the water from Anna Ruby Falls actually comes from a 2,600 acre basin on the southern side of Tray Mountain. This watershed stores, filters, and funnels rain water into the streams that lead to Anna Ruby Falls. The speed and volume of the flow changes from day to day, reaching 3,000 gallons per second after a typical rain storm.
Go Early or You Might Not Get In
There’s a big sign out front that says that the park closes at 5 PM, but sometimes they close the gates an hour or 2 before this to give time for people to make the trek out to the falls and back before it gets too late. We arrived one time, years ago, at around 3 PM and the attendant told us we could not enter, so definitely try not to cut it too close to closing time when you go, just to be safe.
The Entire Trail to the Falls is Paved for Accessibility
The trail most people traverse is the main one that leads to the waterfalls, of course. The path is paved so it is easily walkable, and its entire length runs for just 0.4 miles (less than a half a mile), making it an easy-level, leisurely hike that people of all ages and most skill levels can enjoy. The trail will take you into the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, and your way is guided by a series of informational signs that tell you fun facts about the surrounding nature and wildlife.
Walk a Half Mile Along the Creek (and Scenic Bridges)
The majority of the 0.4-mile-long trail runs alongside Smith Creek or, in some instances, will take you over cute little bridges that cross directly over the creek, so the sound of rushing water is always your companion on this hike.
And the path is paved, of course.
Furniture Trees
The forest and pathways leading to Anna Ruby Falls are populated by 4 species of Hickory Trees. They produce dense, strong wood, making them a popular choice for building furniture and tools. (You’ll see signs along the way that tell you all about this.)
Canoe Trees
Tulip Poplar Trees are also found abundantly along this forest path. Once known as Canoe Trees, their wood was historically used by Cherokee people to make dugout canoes. These types of trees can reach heights as tall as 200 feet and often have no limbs until halfway up the tree, so this makes them incredibly valuable to the timber industry.
Natural Stone Benches
If you get tired, you can take a rest on one of these benches, made from stone and rock that naturally exists along the trail.
Multiple Waterfall Viewing Decks
Anna Ruby Falls contains not one but two separate observation decks so that visitors can view the full length of the falls from farther away but also see them close up in all their glory.
You’ll reach the lower deck first, so be sure to stop here if you want any photos featuring the tip top of the falls.
From here, you’ll continue on to the upper deck, where the view is even more breathtaking, but being so close to the water will make it difficult to photograph the falls without cutting off the top of the taller twin waterfall. (For reference, take a look at our photo of the falls at the very top of this article. It was taken from the close-up, upper deck view, so you can see what we mean about the top of the falls getting cut off.)
There’s a Separate Secret Trail that Most People Miss – The Lion’s Eye Nature Trail
Most tourists in this area are in a hurry to get to the main attraction–the waterfalls–and end up completely missing out on a second, separate trail that exists at Anna Ruby Falls. This hidden trail is found near the visitor center and features touch and feel boxes, as well as instructions for other sensory experiences, designed for people with visual impairments. Stone signs equipped with forest knowledge written in both braille and regular text are located throughout the area so that anyone and everyone can enjoy this location.
This tiny path is separate from the main Anna Ruby Falls trail and does not take you to the twin waterfalls. It 0.1 mile long and is wheelchair accessible.
Other Cute Things to See
We loved this little cute birdhouse found out front of the Anna Ruby Falls Recreation Area.
Anna Ruby Falls is open year-round (except Thanksgiving and Christmas) and costs just $5 per person entry fee, with kids aged 15 and under getting in for free.
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