Waterfall Hero Hikes: Panther Falls (Lake Rabun)

Panther Falls is a 50-foot waterfall on Joe Creek in Rabun County, Georgia. There is a 20-foot waterfall downstream of the falls at the start of the trail. The waterfalls are located in Lake Rabun Beach Recreation Area in Chattahoochee National Forest.

Hike Length: 1.0 mile
Estimated Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Moderate

Location: Lake Rabun Beach Recreation 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.
Trailhead GPS: 34.76130,-83.47283
Waterfall GPS: 34.76175,-83.47309 (First Falls), 34.76814,-83.47720 (Panther Falls)

Directions:

From Clayton, head south on US-23/US-441 for about 6 miles and turn right on Wiley Connector. Make an immediate left on Old 411 and go 1.5 miles to a right turn on Lake Rabun Road. Follow this for 4.7 miles and turn right into Campground Loop 2 and drive to the trailhead at the back of the campground. If the campground is closed, there is a roadside trailhead on Lake Rabun Road just before the turn for the campground.

Map:

Hike Description:

Angel Falls Trail (#55) starts from the back of the campground loop 2 at the trailhead parking. If the campground is closed, there is a trailhead on Lake Rabun Road. Hiking this section adds about 0.4 miles one way. The trail follows Joe Creek upstream, immediately passing by Joe Creek First Falls, a 20-foot stairstep falls.