Atlanta

These are the best waterfalls across the Southeast -- including a big one in Georgia

ATLANTA — If you like to go chasing waterfalls, there’s no better place than the Southeast.

Travel & Leisure recently put out their list of the best waterfalls in every U.S. state, and most of the ones across the Southeast are within a couple of hours of metro Atlanta.

Amicalola Falls, Georgia:

Located just northeast of Dawsonville, Amicalola Falls is found within the state park of the same name.

Amicalola Falls is the third-highest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi River, dropping about 729 feet.

You have a couple of options to view the falls. There are viewing areas at the top and bottom of the falls that you can drive and park at.

The other option is to walk up the falls using a path made up of pavement and staircases that crisscross the falls and have several spots to stop and view the falls as well as the spectacular view of the Appalachian Mountains.

Views are particularly stunning in the fall when the leaves charge.

There is a $5 fee to get into the park. It takes about 90 minutes to get to Amicalola Falls from Atlanta.

Yellow Branch Falls:

Yellow Branch Falls is located just across the state line in Walhalla, South Carolina.

The falls are a 50-foot vertical cascade that flows over a series of ledges. Many people use these falls as a place to cool down and swim on a hot day.

There is a parking lot at the trailhead with a decent amount of parking spots for visitors. The trail is relatively easy to hike the 1.3 miles to get to the falls.

It is also pet-friendly.

Little River Falls, Alabama:

Little River Falls is part of the Little River Canyon National Preserve located off Alabama Highway 35 in Fort Payne, Alabama.

The 45-foot falls flow into one of the best swimming holes in the country.

The falls are just over two hours away from Atlanta.

Dry Falls, North Carolina:

Dry Falls is located in Highlands, North Carolina, about two hours from Atlanta.

The waterfall is actually part of a series of waterfalls that follow the Mountain Waters Scenic Byway in the Cullasaja Gorge.

There are easily accessible paths to take you to the 75-foot waterfall and you can even walk behind it.

Cummins Falls, Tennessee:

Cummins Falls is part of Cummins Falls State Park in Tennessee.

“Located in the Cordell Hull Watershed, the area has been a scenic spot and swimming hole for local residents of Jackson and Putnam counties for more than 100 years. Cummins Falls is Tennessee’s eighth largest waterfall in volume of water and is 75 feet high,” the park’s website said.

There are two trails that take you into the gorge to see the falls.

“Both routes are steep with uneven terrain and have significant elevation drops,” the website said.

The falls are a little over 3 ½ hours away from Atlanta.

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