Many areas that would be crowded in the summer are less visited during the rest of the year. One of the nicest getaway spots in the Georgia mountains is also one of the closest. Desoto Falls, north of Dahlonega, is a place where you can spend a quiet afternoon in the fresh air, have a picnic, see three waterfalls, and get some exercise.

The Desoto Falls Recreation Area is a campground and picnic area located in the Chattahoochee National Forest. Situated along a small stream which curves around it, the area offers a number of picnic sites complete with a table and grill.

On the far side of the campground, a bridge crosses the stream to the trail which leads to the three waterfalls. To the left is the lower falls, about one mile round trip on a loop trail. The falls is not large, only about 35 feet high, but it is attractive and worth the short hike.

To the right of the bridge, the trail, which leads to the other two falls, follows the stream for the first mile or so. About ¾ of a mile from the bridge, a short side trail to the left leads to the middle falls. This is the best of the three, falling in segments for about 90 feet. An observation deck has been built at each of the waterfalls for easy viewing.

Continuing on, the trail follows the stream for a while longer, then begins moving uphill. The second half of the trail is more strenuous, following a series of switchbacks up the side of a mountain, and gaining almost 1000' of elevation along the way. If you are in any kind of shape, it shouldn’t be a problem, and coming down is a breeze.

As you climb, you can hear a waterfall, and it sounds as if you are almost there, but it is just a tease. Now and then you can catch a glimpse of a cascade through the trees, but that’s as close as you get to that one. After a while the trail crosses a small stream, a brook really, and the dogs will probably appreciate the chance to have a drink. After you cross the brook, the trail continues, uphill of course, for another ¼ mile to the upper falls. This falls isn’t spectacular, but it is nice. It’s really a stream running down the face of a 150' cliff, but it’s a good excuse for a hike.

The walk back is an easy one, downhill all the way. Back at the picnic area, that lunch you packed will taste pretty good. Another possibility is to eat light snack foods to keep you going, and stop in Dahlonega at the Smith House and fill up on some down-home family style cooking, while trading stories with the other people at your table.

To get to Desoto Falls, take GA 400 to Dahlonega, then take U.S. 19 north to where it joins

U.S. 129 at Turners Corner (a corner, not a town), then continue north on U.S. 19/129 for about 4 miles. Desoto Falls is on the left, and there is a large sign.