Davis and Dodd Creeks meet to create Dukes Creek Falls.
13 Dukes Creek Falls
Fire and ice! Meeting with a fury, these two creeks crash together in the most tremendous way! I assure you, photos do no justice to these beauties. Sitting side by side, two wonderful waterfalls come together to create Dukes Creek Falls.
See map on 12 Raven Cliffs Falls
Height: 250 feet
Distance: 2.2 miles out and back
Trail surface: Hard-packed dirt; sections of wooden boardwalk; portion is wheelchair accessible
Approximate hiking time: 1 hour
Blaze color: Green
County: White
Land status: National forest
Trail contact: Chattahoochee National Forest, Chattooga Ranger District; (706) 754-6221; www.fs.fed.us
FYI: Open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.; small day-use fee; primitive bathroom, ample trash cans in parking area
Maps: DeLorme: Georgia Atlas & Gazetteer: Page 15 E9
Finding the trailhead: From the junction of GA 75 Alternate and GA 75 (just north of Helen), drive west on GA 75A for 2.25 miles. Turn right onto GA 348 (Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway) and travel 1.6 miles to a left turn into Dukes Creek Recreation Area.
From the junction of GA 348 and GA 180, drive south on GA 348 for 12.1 miles. Turn right into the Dukes Creek Recreation Area.
The trailhead is located at the south side of the parking area. GPS: N34 42.105 / W83 47.373
The Hike
A paved path leads downhill for 0.1 mile to an observation deck with a view of Dukes Creek Falls in the far distance. This portion of the trail is wheelchair accessible. If you’ve got binoculars you can get an okay view of the falls from here. However, to truly experience the power and might of these falls, a hike to the base is necessary.
To get to the base from the observation deck, continue along the wooden path and make your way down into the forest on a wide trail. The easily followed path takes you to another wooden boardwalk and down two sets of steps to a T junction. Go left at the T and follow the main trail as it makes a very slow descent, following the creek downstream.
Along the creek’s edge you are treated to a lovely small waterfall and many lively cascades before the trail brings you to a hard switchback to the right. Follow the switchback around; the trail now begins to make a steeper descent before taking you to one last wooden boardwalk. This one leads to the observation decks at the base of Dukes Creek Falls.
Davis and Dodd Creeks meet to create Dukes Creek Falls.
I urge you not to shortcut here! So many people have done so in the past that the resulting erosion is killing the surrounding flora and fauna.
It is said that the great Georgia gold rush began along Dukes Creek back in1828. Credit has been given to Fred Logan, although it is quite possible that one of his slaves actually made the find. Whoever discovered it stirred the beginning of the first significant gold rush in U.S. history.
Miles and Directions
0.0From the trailhead, the paved path leads downhill and west.
0.1Arrive at an observation deck. Dukes Creek Falls can be seen in the distance. Continue north along the wooden boardwalk.
0.3Head down some steps and come to a T junction. Go left (southwest) at the T; the trail follows the creek downstream from high above.
0.8The trail makes a hard switchback to the right (west). Follow it around the switchback as you begin to make a steeper descent.
1.1Arrive at an observation deck at the base of Dukes Creek Falls (N34 42.105 / W83 47.373). Return the way you came.
2.2Arrive back at the trailhead.
Red-tailed hawks are one of the most common hawks in North America and feed primarily on small mammals.