Cascade Field Guide Waterfalls Guide
Long Creek Falls Long Creek Falls waterfall in the Chattahoochee National Forest
GEORGIA / BLUE RIDGE

Long Creek Falls

Last verified by editor: May 1, 2026

Long Creek Falls is one of the best short waterfall hikes near Blue Ridge, Georgia: a 1.8-1.9 mile Appalachian Trail walk from Three Forks to a shaded cascade on Long Creek.

Photo: Frances Davis via Flickr, CC BY-ND 2.0

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Quick Answer

Is Long Creek Falls worth visiting today?

Yes, if Forest Service Road 58 is passable. Long Creek Falls is a short North Georgia waterfall hike with a real payoff: about 1.8-1.9 miles round trip from Three Forks, a blue-blazed spur to the falls, free roadside parking, and a shady Appalachian Trail approach along Long Creek.

  • 1.8-1.9 mile round trip from Three Forks
  • Short Appalachian Trail hike plus blue-blazed spur
  • 25-foot named waterfall, with broader cascade views
  • Free roadside parking on Forest Service Road 58
  • Dog-friendly on leash
  • Road can be rough after rain or in winter
Last verified May 1, 2026 · Visited · 10 sources checked
Long Creek Falls long creek falls creek cascade Frances Davis via Flickr, CC BY-ND 2.0
Wikidata Wikipedia
Great for Short forest hike
Photography Base cascade
Accessibility Natural trail
Dogs On leash
Winter visit Road-dependent
Typical visit 1-2 hr
Key Facts
Height
25 ft USGS · 3DEP
Type
Cascade USGS
Rock
Neoproterozoic metasedimentary rock Macrostrat
Location
Blue Ridge, GA, USA USFS
Elevation
2590 ft USGS · NED
Water source
Long Creek USGS
County
Fannin Fannin Co.
Managed by
USDA Forest Service USFS
Park area
750000 acres USFS
When to visit
J F M A M J J A S O N D PEAK FLOW
Peak flowMar-May
Ice columnrare
Most crowdedWeekends · Midday
Best photosSunrise · Weekdays

10 Through the Seasons

Long Creek Falls creek cascade Spring flow Frances Davis via Flickr, CC BY-ND 2.0

11 Long Creek Falls photos

Long Creek Falls Long Creek Falls creek cascade
Long Creek Falls creek cascade
Frances Davis via Flickr, CC BY-ND 2.0
Long Creek Falls Long Creek Falls creek and rhododendron
Long Creek Falls creek and rhododendron
Frances Davis via Flickr, CC BY-ND 2.0

The current Long Creek Falls photo set uses rights-clear Flickr CC BY-ND images. Because the license is NoDerivatives, these images should be displayed without editorial cropping or retouching. A smaller public-domain U.S. Forest Service/Wikimedia reference is retained as a source, but it is too small for page display.

12 Why is it called Long Creek Falls?

Long Creek Falls is named for Long Creek, the stream the Appalachian Trail follows from Three Forks toward the waterfall. The trailhead name matters too: Three Forks is where Stover Creek, Long Creek, and Chester Creek meet before the route continues toward Springer Mountain and the southern Appalachian Trail corridor.

14 What else to do at Chattahoochee National Forest

Long Creek Falls works because the access is short but the setting feels deep in the forest. The hike starts at Three Forks in the Chattahoochee National Forest, follows the Appalachian Trail, then turns onto a short blue-blazed side trail to the falls.

  • Three Forks trailhead. Stover Creek, Long Creek, and Chester Creek meet near the parking area.
  • Appalachian Trail approach. The waterfall hike uses a short, popular section of the A.T. in North Georgia.
  • Benton MacKaye Trail junction. The nearby junction gives stronger hikers an easy way to extend the day.
  • Springer Mountain access. Three Forks is close to the southern start of the Appalachian Trail, so the area often draws day hikers, backpackers, and section hikers.

18 Photography & weddings at Long Creek Falls

Photography

The best Long Creek Falls photo is usually from the base, where the cascade fills the frame and rhododendron and hemlock close in around the water. Secondary angles from the spur trail can show the upper drop through the trees.

Overcast days are easiest because the forest is dark and the water can blow out in direct sun. Morning light can work well if you keep the sky out of the frame and expose for the whitewater.

For commercial photography, drone use, or large equipment, check permit rules with the USDA Forest Service.

Weddings & engagements

This is a natural trail setting, not a developed wedding venue. It can work for quiet engagement photos, but it is not a good fit for a large ceremony.

For ceremonies or organized groups, check current USDA Forest Service requirements.

Keep groups small and avoid blocking the Appalachian Trail corridor.

21 Long Creek Falls FAQ

How long is the hike to Long Creek Falls?

The standard hike from Three Forks is about 1.8-1.9 miles round trip. It follows the Appalachian Trail for most of the route, then turns onto a short blue-blazed spur to the falls.

How tall is Long Creek Falls?

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy lists Long Creek Falls at 25 feet. Some hiking guides describe the broader multi-tier cascade as taller, so expect a compact but photogenic waterfall rather than a huge free-fall drop.

Is Long Creek Falls on the Appalachian Trail?

The approach follows the Appalachian Trail from Three Forks, then uses a short blue-blazed spur to reach the falls.

Do you need a four-wheel-drive vehicle?

Not always, but Forest Service Road 58 is gravel and can be rough, especially after rain or in winter.

View all FAQs →

22 More Long Creek Falls questions

Where do you park for Long Creek Falls?

Park at Three Forks where the Appalachian Trail crosses Forest Service Road 58. It is free roadside trailhead parking, not a paved visitor center lot.

Can dogs hike to Long Creek Falls?

Yes. Dogs are allowed on leash, but bring water and keep them away from fast water and slick rock near the falls.

Can you swim at Long Creek Falls?

Do not plan on swimming. The pool is better treated as a scenic photo stop, and the rocks around the waterfall can be slippery.

What is the best time to visit Long Creek Falls?

Spring is best for flow and fresh green forest. Fall is good for color, but flow may depend more on recent rain. Weekday mornings are usually the best bet for fewer people.

Is Long Creek Falls near Blue Ridge?

Yes. It is commonly visited from Blue Ridge, but the drive to Three Forks uses mountain roads and gravel Forest Service Road 58, so travel time can be longer than the mileage suggests.

Is Long Creek Falls good for families?

For trail-comfortable families, yes. The hike is short, but it is still a natural forest trail with roots, rocks, mud after rain, and a rough road approach.

Sources & Data
USFS: Chattahoochee National Forest fs.usda.gov
USFS access, parking, and permit rules fs.usda.gov
Macrostrat: Blue Ridge Bedrock macrostrat.org
NOAA/NWS Forecast Grid FFC noaa.gov
USGS National Elevation Dataset 3DEP
Wikidata: Q6672477 (Long Creek Falls) wikidata.org
Google Maps (embedded map + directions) maps.google.com
Google Places (nearby restaurants + hotels, photos, ratings) places API
Appalachian Trail Conservancy: Three Forks to Long Creek Falls appalachiantrail.org
Atlanta Trails: Long Creek Falls on the Appalachian Trail atlantatrails.com
Blue Ridge Mountains: Long Creek Falls blueridgemountains.com
AllTrails: Long Creek Falls via Appalachian and Benton MacKaye Trail alltrails.com
Georgia Waterfalls: Long Creek Falls gawaterfalls.com
Wikimedia Commons: Long Creek Falls.png commons.wikimedia.org
Flickr: Long Creek Falls by Frances Davis flickr.com
Flickr: Long Creek Falls by Frances Davis flickr.com
DataForSEO keyword and SERP research
We cite public data and government sources whenever possible.

Distance cross-check: ATC lists 1.8 mi; Atlanta Trails and AllTrails list 1.9 mi.
Height cross-check: ATC and Wikidata list 25 ft; some hiking/photo guides describe the broader cascade system as 35-50 ft.
Access cross-check: ATC and AllTrails both flag rough Forest Service road conditions.
Photo status: using CC BY-ND Flickr images from Frances Davis and a public-domain U.S. Forest Service image via Wikimedia Commons; broader gallery coverage still needs licensed expansion.

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