Have you heard about Toccoa Falls? This massive waterfall is located on a beautiful college campus in North Georgia. You can view it with hardly any hiking at all. It’s an easy day trip from several points in the Carolinas and Georgia. Plus, there are a lot of beautiful things to see in the area as well, so you can really make a visit to Toccoa Falls a full-day trip adventure.
Day Trip Travel Times:
From the Upstate, SC, Toccoa Falls is only about an hour and 20 minutes away.
From Columbia, SC, Toccoa Falls is 2 and a half hours.
This article includes:
About Toccoa Falls
Visiting Toccoa Falls
Things to Do Near Toccoa Falls
Toccoa Falls is a majestic sight. A towering waterfall cascades over a rocky cliff 186 feet high, taller than Niagra Falls and one of the highest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River. I had been wanting to see this waterfall for a while but don’t venture out into North Georgia often. But once I gazed upon it, I was sure happy we stopped to see it!
About Toccoa Falls
The waterfall is located on the campus of the private Christian university, Toccoa Falls College. It’s a beautiful place, encompassing 1,100 acres with flowing streams, flowers, and of course, the waterfall.
To get to the waterfall, just follow the signs on the campus. They know visitors love to come to see it and have it marked pretty well on campus. It only takes a few minutes to get to the parking lot from the entrance to the college.
Visiting Toccoa Falls
Being that the waterfall is on private property, it does mean that you cannot just walk up to see it anytime you like. Make sure you check their social media before you go to make sure they are open. Weddings and other private events happen here often, which will close it to the public.
The cost to visit Toccoa Falls is $2/person for ages 7+ and free for those under 7. To get to the waterfall, you go through a cute little gift shop where there are bathrooms and a water fountain. After you pay your fee, you go out the back door and take the paved trail to the waterfall. It took us maybe two or three minutes to get there, it’s that short.
It’s handicap and stroller accessible and super easy for just about anyone to walk it.
You cannot swim at the waterfall or in the stream it flows into nor climb around on the rocks in front of the falls. Pets are allowed on leash.
Normal hours are Monday – Friday from 10 am – 4 pm and Saturday and Sundays from Nono – 4 pm. They are closed on holidays and invite the public to check their “Are the Falls Open?” highlight on their Instagram page for up-to-date information.
The address is 107 Kincaid Drive, Toccoa Falls, GA.
Other Things to do Near Toccoa Falls, GA
Since the waterfall is a quick stop – well worth it for sure – you’ll definitely need ideas of other things to do in the area since it’s about an hour and 20 minutes from Greenville.
Tallulah Gorge State Park
This amazing natural gorge has views that are unparalleled in the area and extend to several waterfalls deep into the gorge. There are 20 miles of hikes within the state park from super easy to strenuous. We visited Tallulah Gorge State Park the same day we visited Toccoa Falls and they are pretty close to each other and made a great day trip! Read my review for all the information.
Hike to Panther Creek Waterfall
Panther Creek is an 8-mile round trip moderate hike to an amazing swimming hole in North Georgia. It is so gorgeous and feels amazing on a hot, summer day. It’s about a 30-minute drive from Toccoa Falls to the trailhead. Bring plenty of water!
Athens, Georgia
A day trip (or weekend adventure) to Athens, GA can be super fun for the whole family since there are just a ton of great things to do there: the Botanical Gardens, the art museum, Sandy Creek Park with it’s beach on a lake, the cute downtown with good restaurants, the amazing playgrounds. We have a guide to Athens you can peruse if you want to add on a trip over to Athens, about an hour from Toccoa Falls.
Tugaloo State Park
With a sandy beach, volleyball and tennis courts, horseshoe pits, and cottages and yurts if you want to make a trip out of it, Tugaloo State Park, about 35 minutes from Toccoa Falls, is a fun option.
Head to Oconee County
Back in South Carolina, you can go to Riley Moore Falls, Chau Ram County Park, Yellow Branch Falls, Issaqueena Falls and Stumphouse Tunnel to explore the beautiful waterfalls and parks. All of these places are within a 40-minute drive from Toccoa Falls.
Lake Hartwell Wildlife Safari
Did you know there’s a drive-thru safari near Lake Hartwell? Yup, and it’s about 45 minutes from Toccoa Falls. You can read all about it in our review of Lake Hartwell Wildlife Safari.
Lake Hartwell State Park
Visiting Lake Hartwell State Park is also a good option – it’s about 35 minutes away and you can hike, swim, fish, or boat at the park.
Bull Sluice
Just over the border in South Carolina is a sandy beach and place where you can watch whitewater rafting take on Bull Sluice, a massive rapid on the Chattooga River 30 minutes from Toccoa Falls.
Whitewater Rafting
If you want to add some adventure to your day out to Toccoa Falls, take a whitewater rafting trip with Wildwater Rafting!
Have you visited Toccoa Falls?
