The gorge
- Tallulah Gorge is two miles long and nearly 1,000 feet deep. Tallulah Gorge State Park has a suspension bridge 80 feet above the rocky bottom, 20 miles of trails and the Jane Hurt Yarn Interpretive Center. The park is open 8 a.m. to dark at 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Drive, Tallulah Falls, GA 30573. Georgia State Parks: Tallulah Gorge State Park
- Tallulah Gorge State Park is in the town of Tallulah Falls. The park's GPS point is about 9.6 miles (15.4 km) in a straight line south of the Main Street and Savannah Street signal in downtown Clayton. This is a computed figure, not a driving distance. Georgia State Parks GPS coordinates; U.S. Census Geocoder (Tallulah Falls town); haversine computed by the editors
Gorge floor permits
- A free permit is required for the Tallulah Gorge floor. Permits are limited to 100 a day, cannot be reserved, and are issued at the Interpretive Center on the day of the visit after a safety briefing at 8 a.m., 10 a.m. or 12 p.m. The trail is very strenuous, with 1,000 stairs, and is not recommended for hikers aged 8 or younger. Flip-flops and Crocs are not allowed. Georgia State Parks: Tallulah Gorge State Park (Gorge Floor Permits)
Water releases in 2026
- On a typical day about 35 to 40 cubic feet per second of water flows through Tallulah Gorge. Aesthetic releases raise the flow to 200 cfs, and whitewater releases to 500 cfs on Saturdays and 700 cfs on Sundays. Hiking and climbing in the gorge are not allowed on release dates. Georgia State Parks: Tallulah Gorge State Park, 2026 Water Release Dates
Tallulah Gorge Aesthetic Water Releases (fall 2026)
Organizer date for 2026Georgia Power raises the flow through the gorge to 200 cubic feet per second, compared with 35-40 cfs on a normal day, and the waterfalls run full. Rim trails and overlooks stay open. Hiking and rock climbing in the gorge are not allowed on release dates, so no gorge-floor permits are issued. The park charges a $10 ParkPass parking fee.
Oct. 21, 23 and 31; Nov. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22, 2026, per the park's 2026 Water Release Dates. The park's site also says some aesthetic flows were cancelled "for the 9th, 14th, and 16th" without naming the month, so call the park (706-754-7981) before you go.
Add to calendar: Google Apple / Outlook (.ics)
Source: Georgia State Parks: Tallulah Gorge State Park, 2026 Water Release Dates, checked 2026-10-18
Tallulah Gorge Whitewater Boating Weekends
Organizer date for 2026On these weekends, releases push 500 cfs through the gorge on Saturdays and 700 cfs on Sundays. Expert kayakers run the river while spectators watch from the rim overlooks. Hiking and climbing in the gorge are closed on these dates, and the southside staircase is closed to hikers.
Nov. 7-8, 14-15 and 21-22, 2026, per the park's 2026 Water Release Dates. Georgia Power describes the pattern as the first three weekends in November.
Add to calendar: Google Apple / Outlook (.ics)
Source: Georgia State Parks: Tallulah Gorge State Park, 2026 Water Release Dates; Georgia Power: North Georgia Lakes, checked 2026-10-18
Whitewater Watch Hike
Organizer date for 2026A ranger-led hike that takes you into the gorge to watch the whitewater kayakers from the splash zone. The park rates it highly strenuous and technical, with 800 feet of elevation change on a rocky 25-55 degree incline, and says it is the only gorge access without a boat. A waiver is required. The hike costs $15, plus the ParkPass parking fee.
Nov. 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22, 2026. Event phone: 706-754-7981.
Add to calendar: Google Apple / Outlook (.ics)
Source: Georgia State Parks event calendar: Whitewater Watch Hike, checked 2026-10-18
How the falls became a dam
- Conservationists led by Helen Dortch Longstreet fought the damming of the Tallulah River, whose falls were then called the "Niagara of the South." Georgia Railway and Power won in court, completed the dam in 1913, and finished the powerhouse on the gorge floor in 1914. Rabun County Historical Society: Electricity for Atlanta
- Between 1913 and 1927, six hydroelectric dams and plants were built along a 26-mile stretch of the Tallulah and Tugalo rivers, where the river drops 1,200 feet. From north to south they form Lake Burton, Lake Seed, Lake Rabun, Lake Tallulah, Lake Tugalo and Lake Yonah, and all six plants still operate. Rabun County Historical Society: Electricity for Atlanta (Richard Cinquina; first published in The Georgia Mountain Laurel, July 2020)
Trails
Tallulah Gorge North and South Rim Trails
Georgia Department of Natural Resources, State Parks & Historic Sites (Tallulah Gorge State Park)
About 20 min by car from downtown (computed route) · 3 mi round trip Agency: '3 miles, round-trip … Rated moderate.' · Rated moderate by the agency
Mulched rim trails with exposed roots linking ten overlooks into the 2-mile-long, nearly 1,000-foot-deep gorge; about 2 hours round trip.
Fee: $10 daily ParkPass per vehicle (annual ParkPass $70), per Georgia State Parks.
Hours: Park 8 a.m.-dark; office 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Dogs: Leashed pets are welcome on the rim trails.
Access: From the Interpretive Center a recycled-rubber path reaches Overlooks 2 and 3.
Good to know: Weather, water flow and scheduled water releases can restrict access; call ahead.
Source: Georgia State Parks: Tallulah Gorge trails, checked 2026-10-18
Hurricane Falls Loop and suspension bridge (Tallulah Gorge)
Georgia Department of Natural Resources, State Parks & Historic Sites (Tallulah Gorge State Park)
About 20 min by car from downtown (computed route) · 2 mi round trip Agency: 'Approximately 2 miles, round-trip … Rated difficult.' · Rated difficult by the agency
Metal-stair loop (1,099 stairs including the staircase to the gorge floor) down to a suspension bridge that sways 80 feet above the river.
Fee: $10 daily ParkPass per vehicle (annual ParkPass $70), per Georgia State Parks.
Hours: Park 8 a.m.-dark
Dogs: No pets on the Hurricane Falls staircase to the suspension bridge.
Good to know: Weather, water flow and scheduled water releases can restrict access. The park says not to attempt this trail with any known health condition.
Source: Georgia State Parks: Tallulah Gorge trails, checked 2026-10-18
Tallulah Gorge floor (permit hike)
Georgia Department of Natural Resources, State Parks & Historic Sites (Tallulah Gorge State Park)
About 20 min by car from downtown (computed route) · 2.5 mi round trip Agency trails page: '2.5 miles, round-trip … Rated very difficult.' · Rated very difficult by the agency
Boulder route to the gorge floor and Sliding Rock with no soil underfoot; it includes about 1,000 stairs.
Fee: $10 daily ParkPass per vehicle (annual ParkPass $70), per Georgia State Parks. Gorge floor permit is free.
Hours: Park 8 a.m.-dark
Dogs: Dogs are prohibited on the gorge floor and Sliding Rock trail.
Good to know: Free permits, limited to 100 per day, are issued at the Interpretive Center the same day after a safety briefing (park page: briefings at 8 AM, 10 AM and 12 PM; trails page: no permits after 4 p.m., 3 p.m. during daylight saving time). Not recommended for ages 8 and under. No gorge floor access during water releases; 2026 aesthetic releases Nov. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22 and whitewater boating weekends Nov. 7-8, 14-15, 21-22.
Source: Georgia State Parks: Tallulah Gorge State Park and trails page, checked 2026-10-18
Tallulah Point Park (Georgia Power)
Georgia Power (North Georgia Lakes)
About 21 min by car from downtown (computed route)
Georgia Power property on the Tallulah Gorge rim; Georgia Power's recreation table lists picnicking and restrooms.
Source: Georgia Power: North Georgia Lakes recreation table, checked 2026-10-18
Fees
- Parking at Georgia State Parks costs $10 per vehicle per day, and an annual ParkPass costs $70. A daily pass works at more than one state park on the same day. Seniors 62 and older get 50% off the annual pass and active military and veterans 25%, but discounted passes must be bought in person. Georgia State Parks: ParkPass
Questions
How far is Black Rock Mountain from downtown Clayton?
Black Rock Mountain State Park is about two miles in a straight line north-northwest of downtown Clayton, measured from Main and Savannah Streets to the park's published GPS point. The road climbs steeply, so the drive takes longer. The address is 3085 Black Rock Mountain Parkway, Mountain City, and the park is open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Source: Georgia State Parks: Black Rock Mountain (GPS, address, hours); distance computed by the editors
Is Black Rock Mountain the highest state park in Georgia?
Yes. At 3,640 feet, Black Rock Mountain is Georgia's highest state park, though Brasstown Bald is the state's highest peak. The park sits on the Eastern Continental Divide and has overlooks with 80-mile views, 11 miles of trails, a 17-acre lake, cottages and campsites. It is often cooler than other parks and may close in icy weather.
Source: Georgia State Parks: Black Rock Mountain; Leaf Watch 2026
How much does it cost to visit Black Rock Mountain or Tallulah Gorge?
Parking costs $10 per vehicle per day at Georgia State Parks, including Black Rock Mountain and Tallulah Gorge. One daily pass covers more than one state park on the same day. An annual ParkPass costs $70, with 50% off for seniors 62 and older and 25% off for military and veterans if bought in person.
Source: Georgia State Parks: ParkPass
Do I need a permit to hike the Tallulah Gorge floor?
Yes. A free gorge-floor permit is required, and only 100 are issued each day. You get one at the Interpretive Center on the day of your hike after a safety briefing at 8 a.m., 10 a.m. or noon; you cannot reserve ahead. Permits often run out early on busy days. None are issued on water-release dates.
Source: Georgia State Parks: Tallulah Gorge State Park (Gorge Floor Permits)
How hard is the Tallulah Gorge floor hike?
It is very strenuous. The park describes a route with about 1,000 stairs and says it is not recommended for children aged 8 or younger. Wear proper footwear, because flip-flops and Crocs are not allowed, and wet rocks are deceptively slippery. Pets are not allowed on the gorge floor. Rim trails and overlooks need no permit.
How far is Tallulah Gorge from Clayton?
Tallulah Gorge State Park is about 9.6 miles in a straight line south of downtown Clayton, in the town of Tallulah Falls; the drive is longer. The gorge is two miles long and nearly 1,000 feet deep, with 20 miles of park trails. The park is open 8 a.m. to dark at 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Drive.
Source: Georgia State Parks: Tallulah Gorge (GPS, facts, hours); distance computed by the editors
When are the Tallulah Gorge water releases in 2026?
The remaining 2026 aesthetic releases (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) are Oct. 21, 23 and 31 and Nov. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22. Whitewater boating weekends (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) are Nov. 7-8, 14-15 and 21-22. The gorge floor is closed to hikers on every release date, but the rim overlooks stay open.
Source: Georgia State Parks: Tallulah Gorge, 2026 Water Release Dates
When is peak fall color near Clayton?
For 2026, the forecast puts peak color in the North Georgia mountains from the last week of October through the first week of November. FOX 5 Atlanta reported that forecast on Oct. 15, 2026, citing the Georgia Forestry Commission. Georgia State Parks says Black Rock Mountain, at 3,640 feet, is usually one of the first places to show vibrant color.
Where can I see fall leaves near downtown Clayton?
Black Rock Mountain State Park is the closest leaf-watching spot, about two miles from downtown as the crow flies. Georgia State Parks recommends its overlooks, summit visitor center and the 2.2-mile Tennessee Rock Trail. Tallulah Gorge's rim trails are also on the state's list of top fall parks. Visit on a weekday, because parking can fill.
What is Foxfire, and where is the museum?
Foxfire is a magazine started in 1966 by a teacher and students at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School, which became a bestselling book series. Royalties bought land on Black Rock Mountain in 1974. The Foxfire Village Museum there has more than 20 historic log buildings. It is open Monday to Saturday 9-4 and Sunday 12-4, and adult admission is $20.
What is Warwoman Dell?
Warwoman Dell is a Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest recreation area 3 miles east of Clayton on Warwoman Road. It has a 1.1-mile trail system with a small waterfall, two picnic shelters built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, and old CCC stone trout runs. It is open sunrise to sunset, and there is no drinking water.
Which lakes are near Clayton, Georgia?
Three Georgia Power lakes sit in Rabun County near Clayton: Lake Burton, Lake Seed and Lake Rabun. Georgia DNR places Burton between Clayton and Hiawassee; it covers about 2,775 acres and was full by 1920. Seed covers 240 acres behind Nacoochee Dam, built in 1926. Rabun covers 834 acres behind Mathis Dam, built in 1915. All three are part of Georgia Power's North Georgia hydro system.
Source: Rabun County Historical Society: Electricity for Atlanta; Georgia Power: North Georgia Lakes
Is there really a town under Lake Burton?
Yes. Georgia Railway and Power began buying the town of Burton and the land around it in 1917. The 128-foot Burton Dam was finished in December 1919, and by August 1920 the reservoir had filled over the old town. Its houses and buildings had been torn down or moved, and its cemeteries were relocated to higher ground.
Source: Rabun County Historical Society: The First 200 Years; Electricity for Atlanta
Is the Chattooga River near Clayton a Wild and Scenic River?
Yes. Congress added the Chattooga to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System on May 10, 1974. Its designated reach runs 58.7 miles through North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia and ends at Lake Tugaloo, and 41.6 of those miles are classed as wild. In Rabun County, the Forest Service manages the river corridor.
Source: National Wild and Scenic Rivers System: Chattooga River
How high is Clayton, GA above sea level?
Downtown Clayton sits about 1,930 feet above sea level. A U.S. Geological Survey elevation query at the Main Street and Savannah Street signal returns 1,931.8 feet. That puts Black Rock Mountain State Park's 3,640-foot high point roughly 1,700 feet higher than downtown. Georgia State Parks warns that the mountain is often cooler and may close in ice.
Source: USGS Elevation Point Query Service; Georgia State Parks: Black Rock Mountain
Dates, rules and hours can change. The organizers have the final word: City of Clayton
