Important Note: The trail head is not real easy to spot. The trail starts across the dirt road from the Raven Cliff sign next to the parking area.
The Parks Address: 3000 Richard B Russell Scenic Hwy, Helen, GA 30528
Phone: (706) 754-6221
The name of this trail is? Raven Cliff Falls
What Kind of trail is this? A wooded wilderness hiking trail
The Parks Amenities: Toilets, Tent camping, Parking and Picnic Tables
The Parks web page says: The Hiking trailhead for Raven Cliffs Wilderness Area.
The trail is a wilderness trail that is to keep in the Wilderness character. Parking area consists of gravel delineated parking lot for 30 vehicles, interpretive kiosk, bear resistant garbage bins, vault toilet, and picnic tables. There is a $5.00 amenities fee per vehicle. Use Leave No Trace practices while hiking in this beautiful Wilderness Area. The trail is a wooded hiking spot with a stream, several waterfalls & picturesque views. Dog friendly.
This parks rating is 5 1/2 out 10 of stars
The good, the bad, and the buggy, a short review of the park.
The good thing about this park is that it is a challenging trail if your looking for a manageable adventure. The trail has narrow plank bridges and the first stream is from rock to log and a walking stick for balance is a big plus but if you fall you'll just get wet, so it can be a good course for a scouting challenge or just to test your wilderness skills.
The bad thing about this park is that the toilets smelled awful. I was told by my hiking buddies that the toilet lids needed to be put down after use because the smell would then go out the chimneys that stuck out of the roof instead of stinking up the room the toilets are in. However this bit of wisdom was not posted on the bathroom doors so nobody using the toilets put the lid down and they were stinky enough to make you sick. Yeck!
The buggy I’m a bug’s favorite chew toy so how much did they love me? I was mildly munched. In other words I was a little itchy toward the end of the hike but was fine on the way home.
What Kind of Park is this? It is part of the Chattahoochee National Forest and is a "there and back" wilderness trail that leads to a waterfall.
1. The Parks views: Answer is On the day I went the waterfall didn't have much water so it was like look a the great crack and cliffs, but it was still a very nice view of the forest and stream and the falls were tall if nothing else.
2. The Parks cost: There is a five dollar parking fee per car.
3. The Parks bathrooms: They were at the beginning or end of the hike next to the parking lot. Also see the bad above. There was plenty of toilet paper but they are not flush toilets.
4. How long is the hike? Answer is 16,500 steps or 6.9 miles.
5. The parks shopping and souvenirs: None
6. Does the park have wheelchair and stroller access? No, it is a challenging hike, with lots of rocks, roots and narrow bridges.
7. How helpful are the parks maps and markers? Answer is You can get a map from all trails or Atlanta trails, google etc., but there weren't any signs or markers along the way and no map on the bulletin board by the toilets. However the trail was reasonably easy to follow and the only place that had a second way to go was where the old trail used to be so you would end up in the same place if you could still get through. I think it should have been blocked off and a sign put up, but apparently the parks are operated by men who are like "Directions! Ha! We don't need no stinking directions! We know the way!"
8. Is the park kid and dog friendly? Yes, but be aware they will get wet and with kids be aware of water hazards etc. and bring towels for the car if you bring dogs.
9. Was there a uniqueness to the park? Answer is Yes the cliffs and falls were impressive and this is a more challenging hike then most parks have.
10. Was it worthwhile? For me no. I much preferred Dukes Creek Falls that was only about a mile down the road. Dukes creek had a wide gravel road/path and boardwalks and the falls were much more impressive. Also the trail was about 2 1/2 miles total, rather than the 6+ mile hike to Raven Cliff Falls.
Bonus Questions
11. Was the trail shaded or in the sun? Answer is Mostly shaded
12. Was there tent, cabin and RV camping? Answer is Tent camping only
13. Places nearby to eat? Answer is in Helen
14. Was there a gas station nearby? Answer is in Helen
15. How safe was the park? The stream crossings could be a bit dangerous and water is always something that can be dangerous. Also there were alot of roots, rocks a slippery leaves, but having said that - we had 20 people in our group and several dogs and nobody was hurt. The trail was also heavily traveled so someone could get help or help you if you twisted a ankle or something.
16. Is the park maintained well? Uhh... yes it had toilet paper and clean trash cans but the trails could have better markers, a map at the start of the trail would have been nice and signs saying to put the lids down on the toilets would have all been easy nice fixes so I'm going with a no.
17. Is there good internet service? Sometimes so no.
18. What would I have brought or left behind if I hiked this trail again?
Defiantly bring a hiking stick for water crossings and fruit snacks (with lots of water like grapes, melons or oranges) so you can stay hydrated without having to drink something that will make you have to go before you get back to the bathrooms. Also comfortable broken in shoes that can get wet for the trail and a change of shoes and socks and maybe pants in the car. Also if you have a furry friend going on the trail with you bring towels for your car.
19. How far is this from Atlanta? Answer is 1 hour 50 minutes - 2 hours.
20. Spirit Animal for the park?
The trails spirit animal is selected by any animal I see at the park or on my way to the park. I find that looking for the day’s spirit animal makes my hike more fun and reminds me to stop and enjoy the beauty of my journey. Today’s spirit animal is: Grey squirrels.
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