If you know me by now, all you have to say is hike and I don't care about the where, the how long…read moreor how tough. Jacks River Falls is one such hike where you may want to know the where, how long and obviously how tough. Before I talk about the hike, let's get into the road to the hike. It's a lot of gravel road....I mean a LOT of gravel road, which made me and my honda accord a bit squeamish that a tire might get popped. Something a bit more hefty like a truck or a jeep would probably serve you better on the roads, but just your Joe average sedan can navigate to the parking lot also. Once you leave the parking lot across the road from the trail entrance, I have to say it's kinda a poorly marked trail. No official blaze markers, although good samaritans spray painted a few choice areas for people up for taking on this hike. Jacks River Falls, I hate to say it, is not a pretty hike. There are no grand vistas, or post card shots. No, you really are coming here for the hike or the actual waterfall, which IS worth the hike. I went along with Richard R, and we did stumble our way through the trail, taking a wrong turn a time or two, but ultimately getting ourselves back on track. Note that if you come to a fork in the trail and you see a couple of signs, one saying "Horses prohibited beyond this point". Go in the direction of that sign...that will take you to the top of the falls. The actual falls themselves were in fact beautiful. Powerful, loud, clear water, and a size that wasn't insignificant. It's a great place to get a lot of photos, or walk right up to the falls to get the water money shots. Like I eluded to earlier, you come out at the top of the falls and have to climb your way down to get in front of the water. Sadly, what goes in must come out, and so we had to do a bit of bouldering to get ourselves back on the main trail. Yep, there was more trail going away from the falls, but with the time of day, unfamiliarity of the falls and just our energy level, we did the safe thing and went back the way we came. Jacks River falls, in addition to not being the prettiest trail, also isn't very forgiving either. Clocking in officially at 9.1 miles, I'm skeptical of that because both of my pedometers listed over 11 miles. Sure, getting lost and a few steps here and there may increase the mileage, but not by that much. I'm mentioning all of this because while my legs are usually rock solid, my left leg cramped up and there was some concern about getting out before dark. We did make it out, but we both took a breather before we got the car moving down the several miles long gravel road and back to civilization. When I left Jacks River Falls, I was all set to give it 3 stars or less. But thinking back, as well as revisiting my photos and videos helps me focus my review. If we're talking about the actual water fall only, It's easily 5 stars. Combining the trail pulls it down a star. Combining the long drive pulls it down to a 3.5....but i'm rounding it up to 4. Beautiful waterfall, great work out of a hike, and if you're a waterfall hunter, it's definitely worth your time. Check it out!

Love the waterfall, but not the hike or the drive to the trailhead…read more THE SCENE There are several trails that lead to Jack's River Falls. We chose Beech Bottom Trail because it is the driest. All trails had previously been closed due to storm damage that occurred on July 21st, 2018, but Beech Bottom recently reopened on Saturday, September 22nd. It currently is one of the only hiking trails open to the falls. Jack's River Falls is among the best looking Georgia waterfalls in both volume and drama. It is a type of chute waterfall, which is when a large volume of water goes through a very narrow passage creating a very strong and thunderous waterfall current. You can hear the deep baritone voice of this waterfall as it rushes through the rock-like funnel. The roar of the water alone is worth staying here all day! It has been on my hiking bucket list for some time now and I'm so very happy to finally check it off my list. However, the gravel road leading to the trailhead is very long and not well marked. We lost our GPS signal 25 minutes prior to reaching the parking area, causing lots of anxiety and concern for if we were driving the right direction. I highly recommend bringing a map or atlas as backup. --- BEECH BOTTOM TRAIL GUIDE I found the trail to be slightly worrisome due to the lack of traditional trail blazes, but ever so often there was a lime-green paint mark on a tree or rock. Several times we were troubled as the trail either disappeared or split, particularly when it intersects with Jack's River Trail at the river. There were no signs here indicating which direction to turn to find the waterfall, which by the way turn RIGHT. After our hike we ate lunch at a local BBQ joint where the owner said it was one of his favorite places to hike, yet he was surprised we actually found the falls on our first try. NOTE: Beech Bottom Trail was once an old road, but it hasn't been maintained since the 1970's. It is for this reason the Ranger office says it has not been marked with blazes. I requested adding a directional sign at the trail intersection near the river. Hopefully they will see the value in that and do so in the near future. Once you turn right at the river, about a half mile downstream the trail will cross a tributary flowing into the main river. It will then continue along a stone ledge as the river begins to cascade at first, then tumble and rumble over larger drops in elevation before its final plunge over the main fall. You must scramble over several large boulders to continue along the trail. We accessed the base along a steep and jagged side trail that was highly questionable in terms of safety. I doubt it was created by the park authorities because it is quite dangerous and difficult climb down. It is very steep and not at all user friendly! Not sure where there was another trail to the base, so we risked it by staying low and holding on to shrub branches on the way down (just in case we slipped). The main falls are nearly impossible to see from the top of the trail, so if you want to great picture, climbing down is your only option. Jack's River Falls was a glorious sight and it spoke with a thunderous roar. Most of the area within 100 yards of the waterfall is granite, including the riverbed. The clear waters were shallow enough to easily walk to the center for a great head-on pic of the falls. On our visit the water was no deeper than knee high. Not sure how deep the pool is in front of the falls but I'm guessing it's about 8+ feet. The hillside above the falls seemed to be noticeably devoid of trees, which made me wonder if the storm that closed the trail back in July had been a tornado. The few trees still barely standing were completely stripped of their leaves and limbs. Still, it did not take away from the absolute beauty of this magnificent waterfall. I've currently hiked over 30 trails to Georgia waterfalls and historic dam ruins. Jack's River Falls is easily one of my Top 10 favorite waterfalls in the state. OVERALL TRAIL LENGTH - 9.1 miles round trip according to Alltrails (although we calculated 12 miles) OVERALL ELEVATION GAIN - 974 feet AMOUNT OF TIME SPEND ON OUR HIKE - 4.5 hours (2h:10m there + 30 minutes at the falls + 1h:50m back). --- FINAL THOUGHTS Jack's River Falls is worth the hike no matter which trail you take, but be forewarned; If you prefer trails with pretty views or lush underbrush, Beech Bottom Trail is NOT at all scenic. The only view until you reach the river 4 miles away will be of the deeply wooded Cohutta Wilderness! More adventurous hikers that don't mind a longer, wetter hike should explore the more challenging Jack's River Trail. The shortest trail to the falls seems to be the Horseshoe Bend Trail found at the end of Old Hwy 2. ENJOY!!! TIP - Many of the other trails are still closed as of the date of this review. It would be wise to call the Conasauga Ranger District prior to your visit. The number is (706) 695-6736. 2018/57

The views from the top of Bell Mountain are spectacular! The drive up the mountain is not for the…read moreweak either. My husband and I took some great photos, but at the very top deck I could barely stand still due to all of the gnats flying around!! (Nov 1)

Definitely worth checking out! It's a great view, and it's super convenient that you can drive to…read moreit. We had a rental minivan that made it alright (although we stopped in the parking lot right before the really big danger sign and hiked the last little bit). If you had an SUV you could be completely confident driving all the way. The roadway seemed to be well maintained and the signage was clear!

What a beautiful trail! There's plenty of free parking and it's open until 10 pm. Lake Chatuge…read morestraddles North Carolina and Georgia. You can catch glimpses of it from the Jackrabbit Mountain Recreation area (if you feel like hiking or mountain biking) but the beauty is near the dam. Built in 1941 and named after a Cherokee settlement, Chatuge Dam is 150 feet high and stretches 3,336 feet across the Hiwassee River. The Nantahala National Forest surrounds the dam and NC section of the reservoir, the Chattahoochee National Forest surrounds the GA section. Chatuge Dam Trail is 1.5 miles, paved and open to walkers, hikers, bikers and runners. It's ADA accessible, perfect for those with mobility issues and babies in strollers. The trail leads through the woods (where I didn't venture) and to two nearby campsites. The breathtaking views are stunning! Lake Chatuge reflects the sun so it looks different in the morning and in the evening. You're surrounded by some of the tallest mountains in Georgia, which are sometimes backlit with hues of purple. The colorful autumn leaves and the stillness of the lake really bring a sense of calm. There were families, couples strolling hand in hand, kids on bikes and seniors. The trail can be accessed from Chatuge Dam Road or Clay County Park which offers bathrooms, fishing access, a playground, ballpark, pavilions, camping & a small sandy beach with a swimming area. Pets on a leash are welcome! Chatuge Dam Trail is definitely worth a trip!

Great trail, plenty of people walk it without it seeming too crowded. However my only issue is that…read moreit's pavement or cement most of the trail with very little shoulder so it's difficult for people who have knee and back problems to walk for any length of time on it. I suffer from neuropathy and so I have to be careful and stick to the grass and ground beside the pavement whenever I can. One good thing about the trail though is that if you were to fall or injure yourself that it wouldn't be difficult for someone to reach you or emergency services to make it to you. The only other thing that would really help out is adding more benches periodically throughout the trail. There are a couple but not very many. Otherwise it's a good trail and it has a nice breeze especially when you're on the dam part of it.

Absolutely wonderful Campground, run by amazing people! The sites are spacious and the views are…read morefantastic, we had a spot with a beautiful creek running just behind it, and stayed for about a month while we waited to close on a house nearby. Very kid and dog friendly! The bathhouse is brand new, so lovely, and is the cleanest bathhouse I've ever been in at an RV park. The owners are some of the kindest people we've met in NC, super accommodating, ensured we liked our spot, and set up a picnic table and fire pit for us to use at the site. Truly the best Campground we've ever stayed at. I highly recommend staying here, whether for a night, a week, or for a long term!!!

This little gem in Marble is a perfect spot for kicking back. Views of beautiful tall trees…read more The sites are very spacious on large gravel surrounded by green grass that run all along the creek where you can dip your feet in, throw in a line, observe the Ducks and Blue Heron or just listen to the serene sound of the water. It also is a short drive to many activities should you choose. A short drive to the quaint town of Murphy for vintage shopping, wine tasting, brewery and plenty of places to grab a bite. We highly recommend the fried pickles at Chevelle's! Owners, Jon and Eileen are so welcoming and always available if needed. New bathroom/showers will be finished by Spring 2024. We will be back in Spring!

There are 14 miles of trails, "fast and flowing, with rolling dips & berms, and only a few…read moretechnical areas. They take you along the shores & hills beside Lake Chatuge." The main central loop is considered "easy and nearly level." All lies and I was on foot! After stumbling over tree roots and trudging through dead leaves & mud I soon realized, I don't like hiking. I like nature walks! Pretty, paved, moderate, you get my drift. That being said, Jackrabbit Mountain Trails are lovely! Parking is free. There are pit toilets, maps & information, air pumps & tools. There's a hose to rinse off and a grassy field with picnic tables & grills by the lake. The trail was created for bikers in so I walked alone as they politely zoomed past. The trails are well-worn so you won't get lost and there are colored stickers on the trees every mile or so. There are no benches to stop and rest. But there are educational signs on trees and plants. I met the sassy 'Sassafrass,' the 'Oriental Bittersweet Plant' (which really needs to stop threatening the others), and the beautiful, slow growing, long lived 'White Oak' which can reach 135 feet! Because it was Fall, I couldn't take my eyes off of the trees. I've never seen such brilliant colors! The beautiful golden yellows, bronze and burnt orange leaves were really breathtaking. Then I saw the peaceful, still waters of Lake Chatuge and fell in love! Of course a loud boat sped past and messed up all that tranquility but it was still worth it. I'll return and I'll bring my bike!

Great spot! We hiked 6 miles of wonderfully shaded, easily walkable trails. Would love to plan a…read moreboys trip for mountain bike riding.

The Campground is amazing. We had a site that backed up to the river (site 49). The views were…read moreamazing and peaceful. Walking along the river was wonderful. Our dog loved playing in the river. The grounds and sites are very well kept and the facilities are very clean and well maintained. The Staff is amazing. Everyone is very friendly and helpful. We were there over the 4th of July holiday and the staff went above and beyond for all of the campers and kids. Our site was level and was Full Hook up. We had a KOA Patio and we used it every night. We will be back.... We camped at Blue Ridge / Toccoa River KOA in a Fifth Wheel.

This was our first experience staying in an RV park and it set the bar very, very high!…read more We've loved visiting the Blue Ridge area for years and usually rent a house/cabin when we're there. This time, some family members were joining us on our vacation (their first time in Blue Ridge!) and since they have a large motorhome, we thought it would be more convenient if we stayed nearby. Since the Blue Ridge Toccoa River KOA offers cabins as well as RV and tent camping sites, we booked one of the dog friendly cabins for our week-long stay. Having had mixed experiences renting cabins through the local rental agencies, I wasn't sure what to expect, but from the moment we walked into the office to check in and during our short drive across the park to the cabin, I started to think we would be quite happy with our choice. First, some info on the location itself: - opened in/around 2020, so fairly new - situated directly on the Toccoa River - RV, tent and cabin options with some RV sites being paved and some graveled - very pet friendly, with a dog park available to all dogs and some RV sites having their own small dog park - play areas for children, a pool, showers and laundry facilities on site - just a couple of miles from downtown Blue Ridge and about a mile from a grocery store The location is in pristine condition. Beautifully maintained, it still looks like it just opened yesterday. All the staff that we encountered were friendly and helpful and it's obvious that they take pride in their business and in providing excellent (and proactive) customer service. Here's a great example - during the middle of the week, we were in downtown Blue Ridge for lunch with our family and they got a call from the staff. It was a windy day and they had their canopy out at their RV. The staff noticed that, went to the RV to see if they were inside and, getting no answer, called them to alert them. Our family members, being long-time RVers, were quite impressed that the staff took that extra step. Fortunately, they have a canopy that's flexible so didn't need to rush back. The cabin we rented was on the river and afforded us a wonderful view. The cabins aren't large (think "tiny house") but ours was sparkling clean and had everything we could want. The staff had supplied kitchen towels, soap, sponge, paper towels, plates, cups and plastic utensils, along with a starter set of coffee. Since we're used to rental cabins, we always bring our own lates/cups/utensils and coffee, creamer, filters, etc. There were some basic pots and pans, a toaster, a microwave, full sized oven/stove and fridge. Two rocking chairs, a side table and very nice (and very clean!) Weber grill complete the front porch. As weather can vary wildly in the mountains during the spring, we used the heat AND the air settings on the two units in the cabin on different days. The units are wall mounted in the main bedroom and main living area and both worked well to keep us comfortable. This was a terrific first experience for us and we'll be back.

Gorgeous place for peace and prayer! You can hike the different stairs prayer mountain. Or the 10…read morecommandments but be warned the stairs are not poured exact and are different heights and widths! I almost fell multiple times! Quiet place with baptismal pool, gift shop and prayer spots all around the compound. At the top of the 10 commandments you can read about the history and timeline of the park.

What an absolute incredible place to visit! I was last here with my dad, mom and grandparents when…read moreI was little. My grandparents lived in Madisonville, TN at that time and we traveled here to visit. I've always wanted to visit again but could not find it until recently. All I could remember was the 10 commandments on the side of a mountain. This park is beautiful! You do have to walk to visit the various areas. But they also have paths that you can take your car. It's free, all they ask for is a donation but nobody manning a booth or anything. They do have restrooms and it is dog / pet friendly since it's all outside. Worth a visit if in the area.

We stayed at campsite #75 for a long weekend and we thoroughly enjoyed this facility and…read morespecifically this site. The campground is quiet and well kept with very nice staff. Our spot had a wonderful pavilion in back and a therapeutic stream that is mesmerizing. The facility is simple and easy to navigate and the spots are well laid out for easy entrance and set up parking.