DeSoto Falls

DeSoto Falls got their name from the legend of a piece of armor found near the falls that may have belonged to Hernando DeSoto or one of his troops. Picnic tables in the DeSoto Falls Recreation Area are reserved for overnight campers.

The lower falls cascades 20 feet, the middle and most scenic falls, drops 80 feet, the upper falls surges water down a granite rock slope for about 200 feet and may be viewed from U.S. 129, which borders this scenic area for a sizable distance. At one point along the highway, the upper and lower waterfalls can be seen.

There are five magnificent falls all within a 3 mile section of the DeSoto Falls Trail located in the 650 acre recreation area. Unfortunately, only three of these falls are maintained for the hiker's viewing convenience, and are recognized as the lower, middle and upper DeSoto Falls.

Directions: To reach the area, begin at the intersection of GA 52 and GA 60 with 129, which is two blocks east of the old Courthouse in Dahlonega. Proceed north on U.S. 19, two blocks east on 60, for 9.2 miles. Go north on U.S. 19/129 for 4.3 miles. The entrance to DeSoto Falls is on the left. The area is also accessible from Cleveland via U.S. 129.