High Shoals Falls — Attraction in Hayesville

High Shoals has been one of my favorite places for 35 years. It was actually one of my very first waterfall hikes in 1989. I have visited it probably 5 or 6 times over the years, the most recent (prior to this one) having been in 2017.

It's a magical place. The hike is approximately 1.3 miles each way. It's mostly downhill hiking in. So pace yourself on the journey back out as it is fairly strenuous. It should be a piece of cake for those in moderately good shape.

The trail is not blazed (not that I have ever seen), but it is pretty easy to follow. We experienced no blowdowns to deal deal with. There are quite a few areas where the trails is a bit difficult to negotiate due to tree roots. Watch your kids and pets here. Most of the scenic area is relatively safe. But carelessness near the falls could likely end badly.

Regarding the road back to the trailhead: As others have noted, ground clearance is your friend. I had no problem at all with a 2WD F-150. But after a heavy rain, the creek ford would likely be deep and the drive up the hill would probably be very mushy. It's funny...the road has changed very little in the past 30 years.

High Shoals is very popular and the small parking area fills up quickly. There is room on the right side of the road (heading uphill) for at least a few vehicles to parallel park. The problem is getting turned around to head back out. I've never driven back to Indian Grave Gap then back down to Hwy 17/75. It would likely take a while. But to turn around, keep driving past the parking area. It's probably a mile, but you'll eventually come to a good spot where turning around is easy and relatively safe.

Go here and have fun. But be safe.

P.S.: One review that I saw included photos of High Falls north of Forsyth. Several other reviews showed photos of another waterfall that I had never seen. These may be part of High Shoals Falls Scenic Area. Supposedly, there are five waterfalls here. The only two that I have ever seen are Blue Hole and High Shoals. There are a couple of other very small falls along the trail. But I would not consider them to be main...

1st time families: Make sure you download the map BEFORE you get there!

We had no internet service and did not see any well posted signs up the mountain. From reading the reviews, I believe we totally passed the trail and drove to the top of the mountain by mistake. We will try again next time we visit Helen. Crossing the creek at the beginning was fun and scary, and I have no idea how the smaller cars we saw at the first parking area made it through. (I'm guessing this is where the main trail is, and we should have stopped at the 1st available spot instead of continuing up the mountain)

The road up the mountain was very steep and narrow, with no rails. I was on edge the entire time (literally and figuratively) while my husband and kids had a blast, lol. Thankfully, only one vehicle was coming down as we were driving up, so we had to back up a short distance to make room for 2 vehicles to pass. It was super tight between the mountain and the steep drop off.😬 We stopped a few times to let the kids out and found smaller waterfalls and creeks. It was amazing. We got the best pictures and experience, even though we didnt make it to the main falls. There were small waterfalls everywhere up the mountain, right off the road as well as a short distance walk. It was fun trying to find the next waterfall just by ear in the middle of the forest.

We drove further up the mountain almost to the top where we encountered some hikers, but none of them knew where the main waterfall entrance was. There were no signs, on top of the kids being super tired, so we just called it a day. I'm sure if we downloaded the map before we lost the signal, things would have been different. It was still an amazing adventure that I would love to try again, minus the extra miles up the...

Fairly easy 2.4mi total out/back to see 2 waterfalls with viewing platforms. Despite extended drought, still had some flow and the pool below the first falls (blue hole) is still a nice swimming hole. It is mostly downhill on the way out, approximately 600ft elevation total.

There are several dispersed camping sites - first being directly before/after the first bridge -by the water but not particularly picturesque. However, the space can easily accommodate 20+ 2person tents. Next dispersed campsite is just before the spur to the first waterfall - smaller, a bit more private but not directly next to water. There was a small ravine (dried up) but otherwise, you would need to hoof it down to the first waterfall for water. Didn't seem like many options for hammocks, bc of overabundance of rhododendron. As you approach the 2nd waterfall, just before the platform, there is a spur downstream with some camping options that would work for tents or hammocks. However, my scouting was during extreme drought, no comparison to what average flow is.

I didn't see any animal scat along the trails or near campsites, but, this is definitely bear country, so please hang food for yours and the bears' safety.

There are reports that the area is haunted, which can make for some fun campfire tales. (Just search on Google for details)

Trail down to 2nd waterfall is extremely rutted, so be aware and cautious. After rain, would also be steep.

To get to the trailhead, you have to cross a small creek - even at low water, I would have concerns about driving thru in a low-clearance vehicle.

One last warning - this is a WMA, so hunting goes on. Make sure to be sporting some bright orange or at least a not found in nature color during spring...