Tallulah Gorge State Park

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Tallulah Gorge State Park is a 2,689 acre (10.88 km²) Georgia state park adjacent to Tallulah Falls, Georgia along the county line between Rabun and Habersham Counties. The park surrounds Tallulah Gorge, a 1,000 foot (340 m) deep gorge formed by the action of the Tallulah River, which runs along the floor of the gorge. The major attractions of the gorge are the six waterfalls known as the Tallulah Falls, which cause the river to drop 500 feet (150 m) over one mile (1.6 km).

Although Tallulah Gorge State Park was not established until 1993 under Georgia governor Zell Miller as a result of cooperation with Georgia Power, there were discussions as early as 1905 regarding the establishment of a park at Tallulah Gorge. Additionally, when Georgia Power began building a series of hydroelectric dams along the original course of the Tallulah River, efforts to establish a park intensified. Helen Dortch Longstreet, widow of Confederate General James Longstreet, led an unsuccessful campaign in 1911 to have Tallulah Gorge protected by the state.

Tallulah Gorge is bounded upstream by a hydroelectric dam operated by Georgia Power. Normally, the river flows much lower than the historical flow. Large releases of water are typically scheduled for kayaking and whitewater rafting on the first two weekends of April and the first three weekends of November. Additional aesthetic water releases are scheduled for weekends in the spring and fall to allow visitors to see what the natural flow of the river would look like in the gorge.

[edit] Facilities

2,689 Acres
50 Tent, Trailer, RV Campsites (operated by Georgia Power)
Backcountry Adirondack Shelter
Interpretive Center and Film
Gorge Overlooks
Suspension Bridge
63-Acre Lake with Beach (seasonal)
2 Picnic Shelters
Tennis Courts
Pioneer Campground
Gift Shop

[edit] Activities

Whitewater Paddling - first 2 April weekends and first 3 November weekends
Aesthetic Water Releases (spring and fall; click here for the dates of the 2006 water releases)
Hiking and Mountain Biking - more than 20 miles of trails
Bicycling - 1.7-mile paved "Rails to Trails" path
Swimming
Fishing
Picnicking
Interpretive Programs