DeSoto Falls Hike
Waterfall | Georgia
2.2 mi round trip
Route line not shown. The 2.2 mi distance for this hike is verified (atlantatrails.com), but we don't yet have a trail track we trust, so the map shows only the destination. Carry an official map.
About DeSoto Falls
DeSoto Falls is a waterfall in Georgia, on land managed by Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest.
The Hike
The hike to the falls follows the DeSoto Falls Trail: 2.2 miles round trip, from DeSoto Falls Recreation Area day-use lot. Distance from atlantatrails.com.
Before You Go
- Day use costs $5 per vehicle per day. (fs.usda.gov)
- Dogs must be leashed at all times. (fs.usda.gov)
- Rock around waterfalls is slick when wet; stay on the trail and back from the edge.
- Check Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest for current conditions, closures and parking before you go.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the hike to DeSoto Falls?
The DeSoto Falls Trail to DeSoto Falls is 2.2 miles round trip.
Where does the DeSoto Falls hike start?
It starts from DeSoto Falls Recreation Area day-use lot.
Is there a fee to hike to DeSoto Falls?
Day use costs $5 per vehicle per day.
Are dogs allowed on the DeSoto Falls trail?
Dogs must be leashed at all times.
Safety Information
Current Hazards
- Slippery wet rock near the falls
- Fast, high water after rain or snowmelt
- Check weather before departure
Turn-Around Time
3:00 PM
Plan to reach the falls by this time so you are back before dark.
Essential Gear Checklist
* Critical items - do not hike without these
Emergency Contacts
Emergency / Search & Rescue
911Point Forecast
NWS Point Forecast →In most of the US, backcountry search and rescue is dispatched through 911 — tell the operator you have a hiker emergency and your GPS coordinates.
Downloads
Sources for The DeSoto Falls Guide
Where the trail data, elevation and route line on this page come from.
- Verified against
- atlantatrails.com
- Distance
- atlantatrails.com
- Falls location
- en.wikipedia.org
- Elevation
- ≈ Copernicus GLO-90 elevation model at the falls coordinates (via Open-Meteo)
Conditions change. Check the land manager for closures, fees and weather before you go.
Nearby Hikes
Other hikes within 30 miles of DeSoto Falls.