Hemlock Falls National Forest Trail, Moccasin Creek State Park, Unicoi State Park, Anna Ruby Falls National Forest Trail

Today we decided it was an adventure day. We headed Northwest from where we are staying in Tallulah Falls and headed over toward Moccasin Creek State Park and Hemlock Falls. I thought Hemlock Falls was apart of the state park but it is not, it is actually on National Forest Land. There is a lot of that down here, where the state parks and the national forest meet and one is almost the other. It really is prudent down here to have your state park pass and national parks pass because of how much national forest there is down here.

Hemlock Falls is off of 197, you are looking for Andersonville Ln. on the Right coming from the Clayton/Tiger Area drive a I/2 mile and you will see a parking lot on your left. It is Free to park here there is no parking fee box. As I said this is actually National Forest and not the state park.

We went on a damp day and waterproof hiking boots really are a must around here. This trail starts out easy but as you get further in it gets a little treacherous you get really close to a fast moving river and there are some step narrow stair rocks. This trail is about a mile and a half long one way. It is a nice hike, with lots of cool spots to take photo’s of the rushing water.

I came out with damp feet, new hiking boots are definitely on my list after this hike. There are a lot of stream like waters running over the trail even a mini water fall right next to the trail. But the view once you get to hemlock falls is definitely worth the hike. I believe the National Forest has this hike as a black diamond and it is definitely that with the narrow river sections.

After we got back we checked out the Moccasin Creek State Park it is just a campground off of I believe Lake Burton. We headed toward Unicoi State Park which is near Helen, Ga. We stopped in at the Visitor Center and got maps. We are actually over here doing recon, about camping over here for a weekend in our Roof Top Tent.

Unicoi State Park is awesome nestled in the mountains it has a lake where you can rent boats and kayaks. It also has a mountain bike park area, and some nice hiking trails. The campground looks newly redone, the pads for the sites are all in really good shape. It is $42.00 a night to stay here in a water electric site.

We plan on coming back and spending a weekend once it warms up a little. We brought our inflatable paddle boards down and the lake would be perfect to paddle on. My son is looking forward to the mountain biking it says it is a really good trail system that they even do races on. So, it should be fun.

Connecting to Unicoi State Park is National Forest and Anna Ruby Falls, You have to pay to park up there but there is a trail from the state park if you want to walk up and skip the $5.00 parking fee. The Trail is 10 Miles round trip it might be worth just paying the fee.

Anna Ruby Falls is a really nice easy hike up hill on a paved trail with lots of good spots to take photo’s. It is about a I/2 mile hike up but just remember you get to walk down on the way back. Once you get to the top you will find a double waterfall and wow is it pretty. This is definitely worth stopping and taking in.

We had a nice full day of adventuring in North Georgia. There is so much to see and do down here. I truly believe a winter is not enough. I think we are definitely coming back next year, we really like it down here.