I have a lot of thoughts about Anna Ruby Falls, and none of them are particularly eloquent. To get to the falls, you drive through a state park, leave the state park and enter a national forest, and then take the short hike to the falls. I remember you only pay for the national forest entrance. Random memory, right? I don’t remember the hike being particularly long or difficult, and I’m pretty sure it was paved the whole way. It’s really great for the whole family, which explains why it can be busy. Even so, I still had no difficulty finding parking.
As for photographing the falls, I wasn’t especially pleased. Overcast days are usually the best options for photographing well, but when you’re only there for two days, you don’t really have any other choice except to visit, point, and shoot. Adding more to the “difficulty” in photographing the falls are the trees blocking much of the view of the upper portion of the falls. No trees were harmed.
Looking at the pictures, Anna Ruby Falls is a trippy, visual feast for the eyes. It’s a double waterfall! A 150’+ drop is on Curtis Creek, while another 50′ drop to the right is on York Creek. To me, the falls look like they’re at an angle because of how my eyes try to focus. Or maybe the ground is just slanted? Like I said, random thoughts…
As with many Georgia waterfalls, there are others nearby, though it’s not usually a straight drive from one falls to the next. Each visit to the next waterfall require drives down curvy back roads. If you’re in the area, check out not one, but many falls. Otherwise, don’t go out of your way for just one.
Directions:
- From Helen, head north on GA-75 for just a few miles until you reach the junction with GA-356.
- Turn right onto GA-356.
- Turn left onto Anna Ruby Falls Rd. (This is not the first road to the left.)
- Head to the end of the road, where you’ll pass through the pay station to the parking area.
Accessibility: 9/10 (easy)
Height: 153′ and 50′
Length of Hike: 0.8 miles round-trip
Anna Ruby Falls in May 2012
A cascade below Anna Ruby Falls
Where in the World is Anna Ruby Falls?
The Waterfall Record 