Anna Ruby Falls From Blue Ridge, GA: Day Trip Guide (2026)

Anna Ruby Falls is a short paved walk to two waterfalls side by side. It's near Helen, not Blue Ridge, so it takes a real drive. Here's what the Forest Service and Explore Georgia say, so you can decide whether it's worth a day of your stay.

#Anna Ruby Falls at a glance

#How far is Anna Ruby Falls from Blue Ridge?

About 1 hour 30 minutes by car from downtown Blue Ridge, by routing with no traffic. The route heads east on US 76 to Blairsville, then south on US 19/129 to GA 180, and on to GA 75 and GA 356. Allow extra time on mountain roads.

The last few miles are the same as from Helen. The Forest Service's wildflowers page says to "Take Georgia 75 north from Helen for 1 mile," turn right onto Georgia 356 for 1.5 miles, then turn left at the Anna Ruby Falls sign and "Follow this road for 3.6 miles to the parking area." The Forest Service lists the address as 3455 Anna Ruby Falls Rd., Helen, GA.

That makes it a full outing, not a quick stop. If you want a waterfall closer to town, our waterfalls near Blue Ridge guide starts with options much nearer.

#What's the hike like?

Short and paved. The Forest Service's wildflowers page says "A paved 0.4-mile footpath leads from the parking lot to the base of Anna Ruby Falls," and that the trail follows Smith Creek. Explore Georgia calls it a "scenic half-mile interpretive trail." Either way, it's a short walk each way.

The falls are two streams side by side. Explore Georgia describes "twin waterfalls from Curtis Creek (150 feet) and York Creek (50 feet)," which "merge to form Smith Creek." The Forest Service says the tallest plunges "more than 150 feet."

A few things the Forest Service pages mention:

• Waterfall safety: the recreation page carries a "CAUTION Waterfall Dangers" alert.
• Water: "Potable water is not available at this site," so bring your own (USFS).
• Wildlife and plants: the wildflowers page notes that rattlesnakes and copperheads may be present, and that poison ivy grows along the trail.

#How much does it cost, and when is it open?

From the Forest Service page (last updated April 17, 2026):

• Season: "Open year-round."
• Hours: "9:00 am to 5:00 pm, 7 days a week," with last admission at 4:00 PM.
• Fee: "$6 per person 16 years and older." Children "15 years and under are admitted free of charge."
• Passes: the America the Beautiful Interagency Pass is accepted, including the Military, Senior, and Access passes. It "must be presented at time of payment."

Explore Georgia's listing gives different hours (Monday through Saturday, 9 AM to 6 PM). The two disagree, so check the Forest Service page before you go.

#Is Anna Ruby Falls open at Thanksgiving and Christmas?

Not on the holidays themselves. The Forest Service says "All facilities are closed the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day." In 2026, that's Wednesday, Nov. 25; Thursday, Nov. 26; Thursday, Dec. 24; and Friday, Dec. 25.

If you're in Blue Ridge for Thanksgiving, the Friday or the weekend after works. See Thanksgiving in Blue Ridge for what else is on that week.

#Is it accessible?

Partly. The Forest Service lists the site as "Wheelchair Accessible from Parking Lot to Visitor's Center." It also has the Lion's Eye Trail, which it describes as a short paved trail "for people who are visually impaired," with signs in regular text and braille. The Forest Service lists it as 0.01 mile, while Explore Georgia lists it as 0.15 mile and says it's for people with visual and physical disabilities. For questions, Explore Georgia gives the phone number (706) 878-1448.

#What else is near Anna Ruby Falls?

By the Forest Service's directions, the parking area is about 6 miles from Helen (1 + 1.5 + 3.6 miles), so you can pair the falls with the town.

• Unicoi State Park: "just two miles from Alpine Helen," centered on Unicoi Lake, with paddle boarding, boat rentals, fly fishing, zip lining, archery, and mountain biking (Unicoi Lodge). Georgia State Parks notes the park is "managed and operated by North Georgia Mountains Authority and Coral Hospitality" (Georgia State Parks).
• Helen's Christmas Market: the 19th annual market runs Nov. 28–29 and Dec. 5–6, 2026, 10 AM to 5 PM, in the downtown Marktplatz and Unicoi Hill Park, with "FREE admission" (Helen Chamber). It's on our events calendar.

Trying to choose between staying in Helen or in Blue Ridge? Our Blue Ridge vs. Helen vs. Ellijay comparison lays out the trade-offs.

#When is the best time to go?

It's open all year, so it depends on what you want:

• Spring: the wildflowers page lists violets and trilliums, foamflower "early in the spring," plus bloodroot, mayapple, and Jack in the pulpit. Flowering dogwood comes first among the shrubs and trees, followed by others including rhododendron.
• Summer: the same page says asters become common "as summer progresses," and that afternoon thunderstorms are common.
• Winter and late fall: the site is "Open year-round," with the holiday closures above. Pair it with Helen's Christmas Market on a market weekend.

Building a winter weekend around it? Our winter guide has the rest of the season.

#Where to stay for an Anna Ruby Falls day trip

If Blue Ridge is your base, an Anna Ruby day means about 1 hour 30 minutes each way from downtown Blue Ridge, so plan on a full day. The Black Ember is a modern A-frame about 10 minutes from downtown Blue Ridge, with a barrel sauna, hot tub, and fire pit for when you get back. It sleeps up to 5. See the cabin with a sauna page for more.