Cherokee and Hemlock Falls
Is it open? Open2 mi round tripStrenuous
No closure posted by Georgia State Parks or Georgia State Parks alerts. Source: Georgia State Parks, checked October 28, 1:06 a.m.
Two waterfalls on the Waterfalls Trail in Cloudland Canyon: Cherokee Falls about half a mile down, then Hemlock Falls a much steeper half mile further. The trail has 600 metal stairs, and the park rates it strenuous. Swimming isn't allowed. Parking takes a $10 daily pass.
At a glance
The walk, the climb and how hard it is.
410 ft
Climb back up
Our measurement with USGS lidar. The park doesn't publish a climb.
Measured by Chattanooga Falls with USGS 3DEP lidar elevation, checked October 27, 2026Strenuous
Difficulty
About half a mile to Cherokee Falls, then a much steeper half mile to Hemlock Falls, with 600 metal stairs.
Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites, checked October 26, 2026The gorge in 3D
The pink line is the Waterfalls Trail from the Main Trailhead down to Hemlock Falls. The map line skips most of the stair switchbacks. Drag to turn it.
Building the 3D view…
Shaded relief: USGS 3DEP lidar. Elevation: USGS via AWS Terrain Tiles. Trails © OpenStreetMap contributors.
The water right now
Live from the National Weather Service and NOAA radar. Check again before you get in.
Flood alerts
Checking flood alerts…
Recent rain
Loading recent rain…
Good to know
The park's rules, fees and hours, each with where it came from.
- Rules
- Swimming: not allowed (the park's trail map says no swimming)Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites, checked October 26, 2026
- Fee
- $10 Daily ParkPass per vehicle, or a $70 Annual ParkPassGeorgia State Parks & Historic Sites, checked October 26, 2026
- Hours
- Park 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.; office 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites, checked October 26, 2026
- Dogs
- Allowed on a 6-ft leash, but the park suggests carrying your dog or picking another trail because of the stairsGeorgia State Parks & Historic Sites, checked October 26, 2026
Parking and directions
Directions go to the parking lot, never to the falls.
Main Trailhead lot
West rim, Cloudland Canyon State Park, Rising Fawn, GA
Parking needs a $10 Daily ParkPass per vehicle. Road work at the park entrance: expect one-lane traffic with flaggers during the day.
Source: Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites, checked October 26, 2026. Map pin: OpenStreetMap.Weather at the falls
The National Weather Service forecast for this spot.
Loading the forecast…
Nearby spots
Open and closed labels come from each land manager's own pages.