Helen: Waterfalls, River Trips, and Oktoberfest

Helen can be considered from several distinct angles when planning a trip: Anna Ruby Falls and trails along Smith Creek, a tubing trip on the river, pottery project classes, the Georgia Mountain Coaster, and Oktoberfest. Nature, the river, creative activities, and events each offer a different focus. If you’re looking for hotels in Helen, deciding what you want to focus on can help you first choose the right dates and activities.

Anna Ruby Falls and Its Interpretive Trails

Anna Ruby Falls consists of two waterfalls fed by different streams: Curtis Creek feeds the 150-foot fall, and York Creek feeds the 50-foot fall. The fall fed by Curtis Creek is therefore three times as tall as the one fed by York Creek. The two waterfalls join to form Smith Creek. The scenic, 0.5-mile interpretive trail runs parallel to the creek and ends at the foot of the falls. Smith Creek is thus a shared point of reference: it receives both streams and runs alongside the described trail.

The Lion's Eye interpretive trail in the Anna Ruby Falls Recreation Area is 0.15 miles long and located near the visitor center and gift shop. It is suitable for people with visual and physical disabilities. At 0.15 miles, it is less than a third the length of the 0.5-mile interpretive trail to the waterfalls. If this suitability is important to you, check the latest accessibility information before your visit; accessibility details may change.

River Trip and Mountain Ride

The Helen Tubing river trip starts at the North Office, 9917 Hwy 75N, Helen, GA 30545, and ends at the South Office, 685 Brucken Str., Helen, GA 40545. The two addresses mark different points in the trip. If you’re planning a ride, make a note of both addresses. The Georgia Mountain Coaster offers a ride down the mountain and through the woods in Helen, Georgia. Each car can carry one or two people. If you’re planning a ride, check the operator’s latest information before your visit, as operations may change.

Pottery Classes and Oktoberfest

The pottery studio at the Helen Arts & Heritage Center offers one-off monthly project classes using hand-building techniques. The format consists of individual projects rather than an ongoing course. For those who want to include creative activities in their stay alongside nature and rides, these classes offer a distinct reason to visit. The Helen Oktoberfest is a recurring event at the Helen Festhalle and the longest-running Oktoberfest in the United States. If you want a class or the festival to determine your travel dates, check the specific dates for the year you plan to visit.

The planning considerations also vary: for the interpretive trails, length and route are useful; for the river trip, the start and end addresses are part of the itinerary. For the coaster, check the latest operating information; for the Lion's Eye interpretive trail, check accessibility information. Specific class and Oktoberfest dates may determine your travel period.

Discover more destinations: Sautee Nacoochee.

Return to the broader travel overview: White County.