Raven Cliff Falls
Scenic, approachable, well-traveled hiking/camping destination.
If you are looking for a fantastic day trip – or an overnight camping trip – Raven Cliff Falls is a great place to start. Located north of Cleveland and west of Helen in the Chattahoochee National Forrest – Raven Cliff Falls is just over 1.5 hours from Atlanta and is a popular destination for hikers and campers. See pictures of our hike here.
Where is it and how do I get there?
GPS Coordinates (34.709456,-83.788628)
Driving directions from Atlanta.
Hiking
Two and one-half mile moderate hike along Dodd’s Creek. The trail may split in a few places – when it does, follow the creek. After two miles and many smaller waterfalls (don’t be fooled – the big one is at the end!) the trail begins to climb until you reach a large open area that leads up a steep hill to Raven Cliff Falls.
Camping
There are two types of camping available along the Raven Cliff Falls trail: walk-in camping and hike-in camping. We can help you with both.
Walk-in:
Raven Cliff Falls offers campers interested in a more luxurious camping experience (think coolers, camping chairs and large tents) several fantastic options less than a ¼ of a mile away from the parking lot. In fact, there is a rather large camping area that can accommodate you and 15 of your closest friends within the first 50 yards of the trail.
Ahhh but this creates a dilemma. The proximity of the parking lot to the first few campsites means this is also popular destination for campers who might be more interested in late night revelry than rest and relaxation. If you want to guarantee a quite night’s sleep next to Dodd’s Creek, you may want to hike-in and find a campsite farther down the trail.
Tip: Get in early and claim the first camping spot on the right – yes, it’s a heavily traveled location – but the bend in the river creates a fantastic swimming hole more that more than makes up for the heavy human footprint. If someone has already claimed the location, keep going down the trial and across a small wooden bridge – on the right and left you will find two great camping locations.
Hike-in:
So you have the backpacked loaded up and you laugh at campers trudging coolers into the woods? The Raven Cliff Falls trail will reward your hardy demeanor with several choice campsites within an hour’s hike of the parking lot. Bypass the first few campsites you see and hold out for the larger sites that appear on the left of the trail as you head to the falls. There are several locations where the land flattens out next to Dodd’s Creek and you can enjoy a peaceful evening secluded along the trail.
A warning for both types of campers – because this is a popular day trip – once day breaks you will see a steady stream of day trippers pass by your campsite. Smile as they “oooh and awe” over your superior site. You have chosen well.
Tip: The best campsite I saw was about two miles in and was in a wide, flat area surrounded by a grove of old growth trees.
Local destinations
Yonah Burger – a “classic” 1950’s era burger joint, great place to refuel after the hike. Secret shortcut – From Raven Cliff Falls take a right at Hwy 75 and then a left at Asbestos Rd. When this road dead ends (oddly enough, back onto Hwy 75) take a right and Yonah Burger will be on your right.
REI TRIP SCHOOL CORNER
Danielle Jesse from the REI’s Outdoor School recommends checking out this list of “Ten Classic Essentials” for a safe, enjoyable day hike.
