Anna Ruby Falls
FAQs
Planning Your Visit
Anna Ruby Falls Visitor Center & Recreation Area operates year-round and is open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with the last ticket sale at 5:00 PM.
Anna Ruby Falls is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Visitors should check current hours, weather conditions, and site updates before planning their trip.
Admission is $6 for visitors ages 16 and older. Children 15 and younger are admitted free.
Admission is paid at the Anna Ruby Falls gatehouse when you arrive. Visitors traveling through the Unicoi State Park area should continue past the Unicoi gatehouse and pay at the Anna Ruby Falls gatehouse. Both cash and card are accepted.
No. Advance tickets are not required for regular day-use visits. Visitors can pay admission when they arrive at the site.
Yes. Any commercial, non-profit, or charter entity including summer camps, daycares, and tour companies with more than 10 people in their group are required to provide at least a 90 day lead time prior to the proposed date of the outing or event. Additional entrance fees or programming costs may apply.
Groups fitting this description must submit a request to our “tour or field trip” reservation form.
Yes. Parking for Anna Ruby Falls is included with admission. Visitors should park only in designated areas and follow posted signs.
No. A Georgia ParkPass does not cover admission to Anna Ruby Falls. Anna Ruby Falls has its own entrance fee.
Yes. Anna Ruby Falls and Unicoi State Park have separate entrance areas and separate fees. If you are visiting Anna Ruby Falls, continue past the Unicoi gatehouse and pay admission at the Anna Ruby Falls gatehouse. If you plan to use Unicoi State Park facilities, please pay any required Unicoi fees as well.
Anna Ruby Falls is closely connected to the Unicoi State Park area, but the site is operated separately by FIND Outdoors in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service. Because the area includes a mix of nearby state park and national forest land, visitors should follow the rules and fees for the specific site they are using.
Admission includes parking and access to Anna Ruby Falls Visitor Center & Recreation Area, including the visitor center, gift shop, picnic areas, restrooms during operating hours, the paved trail to the falls, and the upper and lower observation decks.
Most visitors should plan at least 2 hours for a relaxed visit. This usually allows enough time to pay admission, stop by the visitor center or gift shop, walk the trail to the falls, enjoy the observation decks, and return to the parking area. Visitors who plan to picnic, take photos, attend a program, or explore additional trails may want to allow more time.
Yes. Restrooms are available at Anna Ruby Falls during operating hours. During the main operating season, restrooms and the gift shop close at 5:30 PM, and the gatehouse locks at 6:00 PM. Visitors should plan to leave the site before the gate closes.
Yes. The Anna Ruby Falls gift shop is located inside the visitor center and offers local gifts, souvenirs, educational items, clothing, snacks, and drinks. Product selection may vary by season and availability.
Light snacks and drinks are available in the gift shop, and refreshment vending machines are also available. There is no restaurant on site, so visitors should bring any meals, water, or extra snacks they may need.
Yes. Bus, RV, and camper parking may be available near the designated larger-vehicle parking area by the dumpster. Parking space is limited and can depend on how other large vehicles are parked, so visitors should park carefully and follow any staff direction or posted signs.
Pets, Service Animals, and Visitor Comfort
Yes. Dogs are welcome at Anna Ruby Falls as long as they are leashed, well behaved, and under control at all times. Dogs are allowed in outdoor areas but are not permitted inside the gift shop or restrooms. Visitors are responsible for cleaning up after their pets.
Service animals are permitted in accordance with applicable law. Service animals must remain under the handler’s control.
Visitors should bring comfortable walking shoes, water, weather-appropriate clothing, rain gear if needed, sun protection, a camera or phone, and any personal supplies needed for their visit. If visiting with a dog, bring a leash and waste bags. If you plan to picnic, bring your food and supplies with you.
Cell service can be limited in the mountains around Anna Ruby Falls, Unicoi State Park, and the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. Visitors should save directions, maps, and important visitor information before arriving.
Trails, Mobility, and Outdoor Conditions
The Anna Ruby Falls Trail is a paved but steep foot trail that leads from the visitor center area to the upper and lower observation decks near the twin waterfalls. The trail is about 0.4 miles one way, or about 0.8 miles round trip.
The Anna Ruby Falls Trail is paved, but it includes steep sections and can feel more challenging than the short distance suggests. Benches are available along the trail, and most visitors should take their time, wear comfortable shoes, and use caution, especially when the trail is wet.
No. The main Anna Ruby Falls Trail is steep and is not suitable for wheelchairs, scooters, or other mobility assistance devices. For visitor safety, mobility devices should not be used on the main falls trail.
Visitors using wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, canes, or other mobility devices should use the Lion’s Eye Trail, which is the best on-site option for mobility devices.
The Lion’s Eye Trail is a short paved trail designed to provide a more accessible outdoor experience near the visitor center. It includes a cable handrail and interpretive signs with braille. Visitors with mobility concerns should ask staff about current trail conditions before beginning their visit.
Strollers are allowed, but visitors use them at their own risk. The main trail has a steep grade, and stroller weight can make the uphill and downhill walk more difficult. Visitors should use extra caution, especially when the trail is wet or crowded.
Smith Creek Trail is a longer hiking trail that connects the Anna Ruby Falls area with Unicoi State Park. This trail leaves the main Anna Ruby Falls Trail near the upper bridge and continues off property toward Unicoi.
Visitors should plan carefully before starting Smith Creek Trail. Because the trail is longer and the Anna Ruby Falls gate closes at the end of the day, visitors who attempt the full route from Anna Ruby may risk returning after the gate is locked. Staff are not able to provide trail pickup or rescue services for visitors who continue too far, become tired, encounter wildlife, or run out of time. Hikers should know the route, check timing, bring supplies, and choose a starting point that fits their plan.
Trail access may be affected by heavy rain, storms, ice, high winds, maintenance needs, or other safety concerns. Visitors should check current conditions before arriving and use caution on wet or slippery surfaces. If thunder, lightning, strong winds, or severe weather develop, move indoors or return to your vehicle when it is safe to do so.
Site Rules and Recreation
No. Swimming is not allowed at Anna Ruby Falls.
No. Fishing is not allowed at Anna Ruby Falls.
No. Visitors should stay out of the creek, remain on designated trails and viewing areas, and help protect the natural resources around Anna Ruby Falls.
No. Visitors should stay on designated trails, observation decks, and visitor areas. Going off trail can damage plants, soil, streambanks, and sensitive natural areas.
No. Visitors should leave rocks, plants, leaves, and other natural objects where they are. Rock stacking, collecting natural items, and disturbing natural features are not allowed. Please follow Leave No Trace principles and leave the area as you found it.
No. Camping is not available at Anna Ruby Falls. Visitors looking for overnight options can explore nearby campgrounds, cabins, hotels, and lodging in the Helen and North Georgia area.
No. Metal detecting is not allowed at Anna Ruby Falls. Visitors should leave natural, cultural, and historic resources undisturbed.
No personal fires are allowed outside designated picnic grills. Visitors should follow all posted fire rules and current fire restrictions.
Yes. Picnic areas include charcoal grills. Gas grills are not allowed. Visitors should use only designated grills, dispose of charcoal properly, and follow any posted fire restrictions.
No. Drones are not allowed at Anna Ruby Falls.
Yes. Visitors are welcome to take personal photos and videos during their visit. Please be respectful of other visitors, staff, wildlife, trails, and observation areas. Photography should not block walkways, disturb programs, or damage natural resources.
Yes. Commercial, professional, sponsored, or promotional photography and filming may require advance permission or a U.S. Forest Service permit because Anna Ruby Falls is located on National Forest land. This may include commercial filming, paid photo sessions, sponsored content, promotional projects, drone shoots, staged shoots, or projects involving models, props, or special access.
Visitors planning commercial photography, filming, or content creation should contact the U.S. Forest Service first to confirm permit requirements, then notify the Anna Ruby Falls site manager before arrival.
Small weddings may be possible, but all visitors must pay admission and the event cannot disturb other guests or restrict public access to the site. Wedding parties may not remove visitors from an area, block trails or observation decks, or interfere with normal site operations.
Commercial, large, staged, or professionally produced wedding events may require additional permission or a U.S. Forest Service permit. Visitors should contact the site before planning any wedding or ceremony.
Wildlife and Safety
Anna Ruby Falls is located in a mountain forest setting where visitors may encounter wildlife such as bears, snakes, otters, raccoons, birds, insects, and other animals. Wildlife should always be viewed from a safe distance and respected.
Stay calm, keep your distance, do not approach or feed wildlife, and give animals space to move away. Keep dogs leashed and children close. If wildlife is near a trail or visitor area, notify staff when it is safe to do so.
No. Feeding wildlife is not allowed. Feeding animals can harm their health, change their natural behavior, and create safety concerns for visitors and wildlife.
Nearby Travel and Planning
Yes. Anna Ruby Falls is located near Helen, Georgia, making it easy to pair a visit to the falls with time in town, nearby restaurants, shops, lodging, or other North Georgia mountain attractions.
Yes. Anna Ruby Falls is accessed through the Unicoi State Park area, and Unicoi State Park is nearby for visitors who want to explore additional recreation opportunities. Anna Ruby Falls and Unicoi State Park have separate fees and rules.
Yes. The North Georgia mountains are home to several waterfalls and hiking destinations. Visitors should check current trail conditions, parking, weather, and managing-agency information before visiting nearby waterfalls.
Camping is not available at Anna Ruby Falls, but visitors can find nearby camping options in the Helen and North Georgia area, including campgrounds managed by other agencies or providers. Availability, reservations, fees, and operating seasons vary, so visitors should check directly with the campground or managing agency before making plans.
Visitors can find lodging in nearby communities such as Helen, Sautee Nacoochee, Cleveland, and other North Georgia mountain areas. Lodging options are not operated by FIND Outdoors, and availability, pricing, amenities, and policies vary by provider.
Still Have Questions?
Visitors with questions before arriving can contact Anna Ruby Falls Visitor Center & Recreation Area directly at 706.878.1448 or check the official FIND Outdoors Anna Ruby Falls page for current visitor information.