Toccoa GA, Stephens County & Northeast Georgia

Spectacular Anna Ruby Falls lies in the heart of the Chattahoochee National Forest. Only the thundering rush of water flowing over the rugged cliff face breaks the quiet coolness of the area.

Anna Ruby Falls marks the junction of Curtis and York Creeks. Both Creeks begin on Tray Mountain and are fed by underground springs, rain and snow. Curtis creek drops 153 feet and York Creek 50 feet to form the twin falls known as Anna Ruby Falls. From the falls, Smith Creek tumbles downhill to Unicoi Lake and then to the Chattahoochee River. Its journey continues south, eventually joining the Appalachicola River in Florida and ending its 550-mile journey in the Gulf of Mexico.

Hiking
A paved 0.4-mile footpath leads from the parking lot to the base of the falls. Walking is easy to moderate and will take approximately 30 minutes to complete. Benches are provided along the way. Walking shoes are recommended since the trail can be wet and slippery. The Lion's Eye Trail gives people who are blind or have visual impairments the opportunity to experience the environment along Smith Creek. Braille signs interpret various features of the area. Ambitious hikers will find the 4.6-mile Smith Creek Trail a challenge. This longer trail leads from the base of Anna Ruby Falls to Unicoi State Park.

Picnicking
Enjoy a picnic along Smith Creek. The area offers 11 picnic sites with tables and grills. A footbridge from the lower end of the parking lot provides an exciting view of the creek.

Natural History
Anna Ruby Falls Scenic Area hosts a variety of plant and animal species common to the Appalachian Mountains. Colorful flowers and shrubs, like Mountain Laurel and Rhododendron, are abundant. Straight, sturdy Poplar and majestic White Pine are common. You will find oak on all the slopes, and the drooping branches of hemlock shade the cool waters of the mountain streams.

Wildflowers bloom primarily in the early spring and include the Birdsfoot Violet, Nodding and Sessile Trilliums, and Foamflowers. Ferns and mosses are abundant. Bear, deer squirrel, and turkey also make their home here.
The clean, clear water found in the streams support several species of fish, including the brook trout. Unlike the rainbow, and brown, the brook trout is Georgia's only native trout.

Cultural History
Once Cherokee Indian territory, many of the local rivers, valleys, and mountains bear names that reflect the Indians' appreciation of nature. Chattahoochee means place of marked or flowered rocks. Tray Mountain, on which Anna Ruby Falls is located, was once named Trail Mountain. The Cherokee built many trails up the mountain to watch for enemy campfires.

After the Civil War, Colonel John H. "Captain" Nichols purchased the land surrounding and including Anna Ruby Falls. Colonel Nichols adored his only daughter, Anna Ruby, as she was all he had left after the death of his two infant sons and wife. He named the twin waterfalls "Anna Ruby" in her honor.

Around the turn of the century, Byrd-Matthews Lumber Company purchased and logged the land surrounding Anna Ruby Falls. Mules pulled the felled trees along tarred log slides to the top of the falls. There the logs were loaded onto a flume that looped around the face of the falls and ended on the opposite side of Smith Creek.
A narrow-gauge railroad transported the logs from the falls to a mill in Helen.

The U.S. Government purchased the land in 1925 to become part of the Chattahoochee National Forest. Protected as part of the National Forest system, the area gradually regained its natural beauty. Today, this area is known as the 1,600-acre Anna Ruby Falls Scenic Area.

Visitor's Center
In co-operation with the Forest Service, the nonprofit Chattahoochee/Oconee Heritage Association operates the visitor's center at Anna Ruby Falls. They offer original paintings, fine pottery, and crafts made by the Appalachian Mountain folks-with emphasis on local artist and craftsworkers. Earning from these sales support interpretive programs and conservation of the forest. From the viewing deck of the visitor's center, you can look down into Smith Creek and can feed brook, rainbow, and brown trout. Other facilities include snack and drink machines, restrooms, and public phones. Anna Ruby Falls Recreation Area is open from 9:00 a.m. to dusk.

Directions
From downtown Toccoa, take US-123/W. Currahee St. to the Jeanette Jamieson Intersection. Turn right onto US-123 South/GA Hwy. 17 North/GA-365 North. Turn right onto GA Hwy. 115/GA Hwy. 17. Continue for approximately six miles to downtown Clarkesville. Turn left onto Monroe St./GA Hwy. 115/GA Hwy. 17. Go approximately 2 miles and turn right onto GA Hwy. 17/Unicoi Turnpike. Go through downtown Helen and turn right onto GA Hwy. 356 and go 1.5 miles. Turn left at the sign to Anna Ruby Falls. Follow this road for 3.6 miles to the parking area. There is a $2.00 parking fee for Cars/RVs and a $10 parking fee for buses.

For More Information:
Chattooga Ranger District
Burton Road, Highway 197
Clarkesville, GA 30523
706-754-6221

You can reach the Anna Ruby Falls Visitors' Center by calling 706-878-3537.

Scenic Attractions

Anna Ruby Falls