At a dramatic 1,000′ down, Tallulah Gorge is a stunning sight to see year-round, but the most rewarding way to experience it is to get IN there and hike the Sliding Rock trail to the gorge floor. Sliding down a slick rock into a crisp, natural swimming hole is the most fun you can have on a hot, summer day.
Location
Tallulah Gorge State Park is located in northeast Georgia, near Tallulah Falls. It’s a little over an hour’s drive from Athens, GA and about two-hours from Atlanta.
Permits
Permits are free, but only 100 are given out per day and you gotta get yours in-person, so:
- Call ahead to make sure the gorge floor is accessible before you travel (706) 754-7981
- Get your permit early. Like, get in line before open, especially if you’re there on the weekend.
My boyfriend and I decided not to rush in the morning, so we camped the night before at the park’s pioneer site, a really cool secluded spot with a nearby creek. The next day, we arrived at the park’s Interpretive Center by 7:45am, scored two permits (yay!), and then enjoyed a leisurely breakfast before starting the hike.
Sliding Rock Trail
This is the coolest Georgia hike I’ve done because it offers so much along the way – it’s essentially 2-to-3 trails in one – and it really feels like an adventure. The trail is like a 2.5 mile obstacle course. You start at the top and get ‘the big picture,’ looking down into the awesome depths of the gorge from the north rim.
Next, you follow the Hurricane Falls Trail, descending over 1,000 metal stairs. Before taking the (literal) plunge to hike the floor, I felt intimidated because these stairs are no joke and always kick my ass on the way back up. BUT since we’re talking about the Sliding Rock Trail this time, you only have to take these steps on the way down.
When you arrive at the suspension bridge, you get an excellent view of the Tallulah River below. The sway on this bridge is fun and not too crazy; it’s very calm if you want to stop and enjoy being right over the water.
Now for the best part – the floor! Friends had warned me about losing iPhones and fancy cameras on this hike, so I packed extremely light. At the start of the permit-only trail, you cross the river by way of some big, slippery rocks. I found this to be the most challenging part – there are a couple areas where it makes sense to get in the rushing water to move forward. We watched someone eat shit trying to jump from one rock to another- they went down wearing a big backpack (luckily, they were okay!). Related: this rad David Mack comic is another reminder to proceed with caution!
After that, there is no marked trail. You just have to do your best walking forward along the gorge floor. The terrain is notably rugged and rocky in parts, and slippery in others. I am very comfortable being a clown and crab-crawled along the slippery, sloped rocks. When you get to Oceana Falls, remember this is NOT the sliding rock!
Eventually, you’ll hit some woods and pop out at Bridal Veil Falls. THIS is the sliding rock. Reaching this point is the highlight! Have fun sliding, swimming, and sunning!
Hiking Back to the Rim
The climb back up is a serious workout, but it’s mostly shaded and you get to enjoy those stunning gorge views. The sense of accomplishment when you get back to the top feels like a million bucks. Bonus: we found some juicy blackberries along the road near the end of the trail.
Nearby Trails
Tallulah Gorge is in the Blue Ridge Mountains and there’s no shortage of other amazing hikes surrounding it. Here are a few I love.
- Black Rock Mountain: about 20 miles from Tallulah Gorge, a state park offering some slightly cooler temps with some of the highest elevations in the state
- Yonah Mountain: about 25 miles away, a difficult hike with a stunning panoramic view at the summit
- Panther Creek Falls: about 15 miles away, one of the best waterfalls and swimming holes in North Georgia
Other Places to Check Out
If you’re all tuckered out from the hike, there are plenty of other cool places to check out:
- Wander: right outside the park, a super cute outdoor/camping supply store (also in Clayton)
- The Gourd Place: about 25 miles away, a collection of gourd art from around the world
- Foxfire Museum: about 20 miles away, the center showcases Appalachian culture and history
- Mark of the Potter: about 20 miles away, a historic pottery shop on the Soque River
Lastly: What Happens If Something Happens?
Even though only 100 people are allowed down to the floor per day, you’ll likely see plenty of people. If shit really goes down, there’s a medical rescue team that can fly a helicopter in and out of the gorge. You won’t be stranded, and if I can do it, I’m confident most able-bodied hikers can do this safely as well. Have fun!
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