Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
Dukes Creek Falls trail is a 1.25-mile trail from the parking lot to the second observation deck overlooking Duke's Creek waterfalls. It is a one way in one way hike out trail and for those who are mobility challenges the first 0.10 miles of the trail will lead you to the first and only accessible observation deck that give the visitor a beautiful view of the waterfalls.
Fishing is allowed at Dukes Creek, please check all state fishing regulations for the area at:
Click here for GA DNR fishing regulations and information!
The area is open from Sunrise to Sunset seven days a week unless there are special weather conditions that will close the Richard Russell Scenic Byway. During weather events follow the GA Department of Transportation for any road closures.
While visiting the area nearby sites include Raven's Cliff Wilderness, Anna Ruby Falls, Unicoi State Park, and the communities of Helen and Cleveland, Georgia.
Directions:
From Helen: Head west on Hwy 75/17 No to Hwy 17 A. Turn left on Hwy 17 A towards Robertsville/Cleveland. Go for approximately 2.5 miles to Richard Russell Scenic Hwy (Hwy 348). Make a right turn and travel for approximately 1.4 miles and it will be on your left.
From Cleveland: Head north on Hwy 17A for approximately 10 miles, turn left on Richard Russell Scenic Hwy (Hwy 348). Travel for approximately 1.4 miles and it will be on your left.
The address for Dukes Creek is: 1699 Richard Russell Scenic Hwy, Helen, GA
All visitors are required to display a printed copy of the pass on the dashboard of the vehicle. You must print your Day Pass and display it with the QR code and pass information visible on your vehicle dashboard. If purchasing pass onsite, please write down confirmation number on provided envelope and post in vehicle dashboard.
This pass is valid until 11:59 PM of the date listed on the pass, and only for the date and vehicle specified for this pass.
Please check the forest website for the most recent closures and openings. https://www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/conf/recreation
Passes are non-transferrable between operators, non-refundable, not replaceable if lost or stolen, and are void if altered or reproduced.
Cell phone connectivity on the forest may be limited, plan ahead.
America the Beautiful Passes: Senior, Access, Annual, Military, Gold Star, Veteran, and Golden Age Senior/Access area accepted at this site. Those passes are good for the pass holder and up to three adults per vehicle.
There is a credit card machine or the recreation.gov digital pass qr code that will allow you to pay for you visit to this beautiful site.