Desoto Falls Recreation Area

About

Desoto Falls Recreation Area sits within a 650-acre designated scenic area in the Chattahoochee National Forest, about two hours north of Atlanta. The campground occupies a forested valley along Frogtown Creek at an elevation of 2,080 feet. Twenty-three campsites are spread across upper and lower loops, with several creekside options. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. The lower loop has a warm-water outdoor shower facility connected to flush restrooms; the upper loop is served by vault toilets. The primary draw is the DeSoto Falls Trail, which departs from a wooden bridge near the host site. The 0.25-mile lower falls trail and 0.75-mile upper falls trail pass through rhododendron thickets and old-growth pines before reaching observation decks at each cascade. Frogtown Creek also offers trout fishing. Wildlife in the area includes deer, turkey, and black bear. Neels Gap and the Appalachian Trail lie 1.5 miles north on US-19/129. Other nearby attractions include Helton Creek Falls, Dukes Creek Falls, Raven Cliff Falls, and Brasstown Bald, Georgia's highest point at 4,784 feet with views into four states. The towns of Blairsville, Helen, and Dahlonega are all a short drive away.

Directions

From Blairsville, take US-19/129 south 17 miles; the entrance is on the right. From Dahlonega, take Highway 19 north 18 miles; entrance on left. From Cleveland, take US-19/129 north 16 miles; entrance on left.