Waterfall Hero Hikes: Chute Falls (Chattahoochee)

Chute Falls, also known as Upper Chattahoochee Falls, is a 20-foot waterfall on Chattahoochee River in Union County, Georgia. The waterfall is located in the Chattahoochee Wildlife Management Area in Chattahoochee National Forest.

Hike Length: 0.4 miles
Estimated Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult

Location: Chattahoochee Wildlife Management Area (Chattooga River District of Chattahoochee National Forest)

Trail Users: Hiking only
Dogs: Yes
Features: Waterfalls (2)
Crowds: Moderate
Warnings: The rocks around waterfalls are slippery. The climb down to the base of the waterfall is very steep and requires wading to get a good view.
Trailhead GPS: 34.79190,-83.78523
Waterfall GPS: 34.79496,-83.78534

Directions:

From Helen, go north on GA-17/GA-75 for about 9 miles and turn left onto gravel Chattahoochee River Road (FR-44). The turn is just before Unicoi Gap. Go 4.5 miles on this road and turn right onto FR-44E into Upper Chattahoochee River Campground. Drive 0.4 miles to the day-use parking at the back of the campground. If FR-44E is gated (when the campground is closed), park before the gate and hike through the campground.

Map:

Hike Description:

Pick up the green-blazed Horse Trough Falls Trail (#173) from the end of the parking area and cross Chattahoochee River on a small footbridge. Right after crossing, bear right on an overgrown road following the creek upstream past a campsite. (Going left would lead to Horsetrough Falls.) In about 0.2 miles, you can see the waterfall from road but the view isn't ideal.

It's a very steep scramble down from the road to the creek and I had to wade to get to the other side for a good view. I think it would be easier to come up the other side (river left) of river.