When you think of Helen, GA, the themed Alpine village downtown is probably what comes to mind first.
But did you know that White County is “Georgia’s Official Outdoor Adventure Destination?”
I’m sharing more about the unique outdoor adventures in Helen and throughout White County that you’ll want to add to your list.
Thanks again to Alpine Helen/White County Convention and Visitors Bureau for hosting my visit. This article contains affiliate links.
Where is Helen, GA, Located?
Helen, GA, is located northeast of Atlanta, less than 2 hours away, near the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest.
Hike to a Double Waterfall at Anna Ruby Falls
3455 Anna Ruby Falls Road, Helen, GA
Anna Ruby Falls is a rare 153-foot double waterfall formed by two creeks, Curtis Creek and York Creek, located in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest.
The two bodies of water converge to form Smith Creek, situated at the base of the falls.
The falls were named in honor of Anna Ruby Nichols, who was the daughter of Captain J.H. Nichols.
He owned the land in the Nacoochee Valley during the Civil War era, and the story goes that he found the waterfalls while horseback riding.
The paved hike is 0.8 miles round trip and becomes a steeper incline with an elevation gain of 219 feet.
Keep that in mind if you’re pushing a stroller, especially while hiking back down. Dogs are permitted if they are on a leash.
The hike is very scenic with several opportunities to stop and enjoy the views along Smith Creek and to the base of the falls.
The Recreation Area is open year-round with a small admission fee for guests aged 16 and older. Admission is free for kids and Senior Access/Interagency Passholders.
Restrooms, a gift shop, an observation area, and fishing are located near the visitor center.
After Dark at the Anna Ruby Falls
Be on the lookout for public programming at the park for stargazing and special events where you can view Foxfire bioluminescent fungi that glow in the dark.
These special programs sell out fast, so plan accordingly.
Ride Georgia’s First and Only Mountain Coaster
8409 S. Main Street, Helen, GA
You can fulfill your need for speed on the Georgia Mountain Coaster, the first and only mountain coaster in Georgia.
The carts can seat one or two people. Drivers must be at least 54 inches tall, at least 16 years old, able to use the manual controls, and within the maximum weight limit.
Passengers must be at least 38 inches tall and at least 3 years old. You’re required to pull back shoulder-length hair, and anything that doesn’t fit in your pocket must be kept in a locker.
You control your own speed with the brake and acceleration down the mountain with top speeds up to 28 mph.
The mountain coaster track has turns, switchbacks, and a really fun roundabout.
I’ve ridden mountain coasters in other states, and sometimes you’re required to brake at specific points along the course.
I learned that you can go full speed without fear on the Georgia Mountain Coaster after my first ride down the mountain.
I tested it out on my second ride on the mountain coaster, and it was even better!
Riders receive a discount for their second ride to be used on the same day for half off the standard price.
This attraction is open year-round and located a short walk from downtown Alpine Helen.
Unicoi State Park and Adventure Lodge
1788 HWY 356, Helen, GA
Unicoi State Park and Adventure Lodge offers a lot of adventures for daytime visitors and overnight guests.
There’s a variety of adventures to choose from on water, land, and in the air.
- Zipline
- Kayaking
- Stand Up Paddleboarding
- Aqua Cycle Boat
- Fly Fishing
- Archery and Air Gun
- Hatchet Throwing
Unicoi Beach is a swimming beach without lifeguards open during the summer months, weather permitting.
Lodging Options at Unicoi State Park and Adventure Lodge
There are several lodging options for guests to choose from at Unicoi State Park.
There are 96 guestrooms at The Lodge and 26 Georgia State Park cabins with 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and 3-bedroom options.
For unique accommodations, the 1 or 2-bedroom Barrel Cabins are very popular.
Go Tubing on the Chattahoochee River
During your visit to Alpine Helen, you may have noticed tubers passing by downtown on the river.
It’s fun to watch tubers go by while you’re dining in downtown Helen, but it’s even better to experience river tubing on the Chattahoochee River for yourself.
River tubing is a great adventure for all ages and the perfect way to pass a few hours on a warm day.
The regular tubing season is typically from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend. Additional weekends before and after those dates depend on the weather.
There are two river tubing companies in town, Cool River Tubing and Helen Tubing. Cool River Tubing is the only company to offer a 1-hour option.
River Tubing With Cool River Adventures
112 Poplar Stump Road, Helen, GA
Cool River Tubing offers 1 and 2-hour paddles on the Chattahoochee River.
You’ll travel by bus to the drop-off location and exit the river at your starting location.
Everyone rides the bus together, and the driver will stop and announce if it’s the 1-hour or 2-hour drop-off point. The busiest times during peak season for river tubing are from 12 PM to 3 PM.
We chose the 1-hour float due to time constraints and still felt like we had enough time on the river.
It was the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure with some mini rapids along the way.
If we had more time, we would’ve tried the 2-hour.
Prices are the same for the 1-hour float or 2-hour float, and adults and kids are charged the same, too.
The rental price includes your tube, shuttle ride, a life-jacket (optional for adults), tie straps, and their key-saver service. You can’t use the shuttle with your own tube, so just enjoy letting them take care of all the details.
It’s also recommended that you don’t attach more than two tubes together with straps.
I attached my dry bag to the handle of the inner tube. I’d also recommend wearing some sort of watershoes or water sandals with a strap.
If you forgot to bring any of the essentials, their gift shop has you covered.
Tip- upgrade for the stick. It’s a big help if you get stuck on a rock along the way or want to push off the riverbank.
The inner tubes also have headrests and bottoms, so you don’t feel the cooler water or “crocodile rocks” as often along the way.
The water levels vary along the river, and during our time on the river, the water levels were typically knee-deep or less, but some sections were as deep as 6 feet.
You can connect your tubes with a strap or choose to ride solo. There are no double tubes, and dogs are welcome to tube too. Smaller tubes are available for children ages 2 and up.
If you want to continue your adventures in the air, Cool River Adventures, part of the same company, has an aerial park. Guests can try the zipline course, Big Adventure Aerial Course, and an outdoor climbing wall.
Spend the Day at Helen Water Park
222 Edelweiss Strasse, Helen, GA
If you want to extend your water adventures, Helen Water Park offers water slides, a lazy river, and other attractions for all ages in the Alpine Village of Helen.
Walk Along the Helen to Hardman Heritage Trail
You have two parking options for the Helen to Hardman Heritage Trail, located at both ends of the trail.
Start at the Hardman Farm State Historic Site Parking – 143 GA-17, Sautee Nacoochee, GA
Or you can park at the trailhead in Helen. Start from the Helen Welcome Center (726 Brucken Strasse), turn left out of the parking lot, and go to the 4-way stop.
Turn right and continue to the next stop sign, and the trailhead parking lot will be on the left side, just past the stop sign.
This 1-mile, paved trail takes you along the Chattahoochee River, connecting Alpine Helen to Hardman Farm Historic Site.
This is a great pet-friendly path for walkers or a short bike ride that’s also ADA accessible and open until dusk.
Be on the lookout for makers along the way that share more about the native plants and the area’s history, which includes gold mining and lumber.
One of the highlights is viewing the waterfall near the Nora Mill Granary Grist Mill from another perspective.
View the Waterfall Near Nora Mill Granary
7107 S Main St, Helen, GA
Nora Mill Granary was established in 1876 and continues in operation today. The waterfall viewing area by the mill has trout feed available for purchase for a quarter.
While you’re there, you might as well pick up some of their local grits or other grain products to bring home from the grist mill and country store.
Aerial Adventures at Nacoochee Adventures
7019 S. Main Street, Helen, GA
You can choose your own adventure at Nacoochee Adventures, including a racing double zipline, Big Swing, and zipline canopy tour.
Reservations are highly recommended to secure your preferred tour or experience. There’s no minimum age for ziplining, but the guest must weigh at least 40 pounds.
I enjoyed ziplining on the Big Zip Intimidator during my visit, which had incredible views of Yonah Mountain, with an elevation of 3166 feet, in the distance.
What’s even better is that you can race your friends on this dual zipline, which measures almost a half mile long.
The guided ride up to the zipline platform on the former logging road was also an adventure.
I also want to note that I appreciate the amazing braking mechanism used for their ziplines.
That means that you don’t have to wear gloves or worry about self-braking.
That detail truly allows you to relax and enjoy the ride along the way. You can choose to hold on to the rope or not during your zipline adventure. It’s my absolute favorite way to zipline.
Speaking of ziplines, if you prefer a longer ziplining experience, zipline canopy tours are also available.
Zipline Canopy Tours
There are several different options for zipline canopy tours.
For a unique option, check out their Goldmine Tour, which includes a short hike into their authentic 1800s goldmine, where you’ll also learn about Helen’s mining history.
Challenge Course
Guests ages 8 and up can build confidence on the Challenge Course while a guide supervises and coaches from the sidelines. There are three levels and 27 elements on the high ropes course.
The Giant Swing
The Giant Swing lifts up to 3 riders at once, 50 feet into the air. They pull a release cord and then experience a free fall for a few seconds, followed by swinging out into the Sautee Nacoochee Valley.
Bicycle rentals are also available by the hour or by the day.
Capyfriends Cafe
I also want to note that you can make a reservation for their Capyfriends Cafe, where guests can interact with capybara animal ambassadors from North Georgia Wildlife and Safari Park. More about them in a moment…
These capybara experiences are very popular, so plan accordingly.
Unique Lodging at Nacoochee Adventures
There are several unique lodging options at Nacoocchee Adventures, including treehouses, cabins, primitive camping, and a few gypsy vardos.
The treehouses have an outhouse nearby. If you prefer regular bathrooms/showers, they are located at the main office, 1/2 mile away.
Three treehouses are available to choose from, accommodating up to 3 to 4 people.
These treehouses are only accessible by foot or by a UTV rental, so you may want to pack light for your overnight.
The gypsy vardos are located along the treeline by the Chattahoochee River and can accommodate up to 2 people.
Guests have the option to walk to the vardo, or they can park their vehicle beside it.
Animal Appreciation at North Georgia Wildlife & Safari Park
2912 Paradise Valley Rd, Cleveland, GA
North Georgia Wildlife & Safari Park helps create connections between people and animals. Their vision is The Three C’s: Care; Connect; Conserve.
This family-owned business is dedicated to sharing its love of animals through close and personal animal experiences with their animal ambassadors.
General admission to the Wildlife Park includes a guided Wildlife Walk Tour, Safari Drive-Thru, and Petting Farm.
It’s recommended to allow 2-3 hours to tour the park for a general admission visit and 3-4 hours if you have additional animal experiences reserved. The park is home to over 80 species of animals.
There isn’t a cafe, but snacks and drinks are available for purchase on-site.
You’ll want to go ahead and purchase food for the animals for the Drive Thru Safari while you’re at the ticket booth. It’s worth it for the memories and giggles.
Petting Zoo
At the petting zoo, you can view miniature and rare breeds of farm animals along with a few exotic animals, including tortoises. The miniature pigs were adorable, and the tortoises’ names are “Romeo” and “Juliet.”
You can pet or feed many of the animals in this section with special animal food purchased onsite.
Join the Guided Tour of the Wildlife Park
The 45-minute to 1-hour guided tour of the Wildlife Park is the only way to view wild animals because their habitats are specifically designed for guided supervision.
The guided supervision provides guests a closer viewing opportunity to observe and learn more about animals, including wolves, sloths, lemurs, kangaroos, and more.
*Guided tours take place on the hour, every hour, starting on the hour after the park opens.
Go on the Safari Drive Thru
This drive-thru habitat has antelope, highland cows, emus, bison, and more.
Make sure that you have food for this moment. It’s 100% worth it to feed the animals from the comfort of your vehicle.
Animal Add-on Options
You can purchase animal add-on options after your drive-thru safari. These experiences last around 15 minutes each and are at a lower price point than the longer animal experiences.
You’ll be given a special tag to hang from your rearview mirror for parking in a dedicated section along the trail. You’ll wait until the staff asks you to exit your vehicle for the “meet and greet.”
- Deer Meet and Greet- Meet & feed the deer while on the drive-thru Safari. Food for the deer is provided at the experience.
- Small Animal Meet and Greet- Meet some of their smallest ambassadors! Some animals you may meet: hedgehogs, chinchillas, an armadillo, or others.
- Capybara Feeding- Meet and greet with the capybaras during the Safari Drive Thru and feed them from outside their habitat!
- Camel Feeding- Meet & feed the Camels while on the drive-thru Safari. Food for the camels is provided at the experience.
- Reptile Meet and Greet- Take a peek around our Reptile House on this educational and interactive experience!
- Piggy Playtime- Meet one of their adorable piglets of the season! Pet, cuddle, and fall in love!
Animal Experiences Offered at North Georgia Wildlife and Safari Park
Animal experiences are priced per person and don’t include general admission. These experiences are very popular and can book up months in advance.
A few important details for families/participants:
Anyone under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a paying adult to enter and participate in any of the tours, experiences, or specialty events.
Guests are not permitted to take their own photos during any of the Otter experiences or encounters. This allows them to be fully present and able to enjoy the experience.
*We had special permission to capture footage, and staff also helped with some close-ups behind the scenes.
Examples of Animal Experiences Offered
The hardest part is narrowing down which animal experiences you want to have. There are even more experiences offered, but this gives you an idea.
- Baby Capybara Experience
- Capybara Experience
- Otter Experience
- Otter Painting Experience
- Scottish Highland Cow Experience
There are even some opportunities for you to have an animal experience in the water.
- Capy Splash
- Otter Splash
You can view the full list of animal experiences and age requirements here.
During my visit, I was fortunate to have several animal experiences, including holding a pillow on my lap with a baby sloth resting on it.
Baby Sloth experiences last 15-20 minutes and are available to guests ages 8 and up.
The Capybara Experience was also such a joy. It was so amazing to feed and interact with them up close.
FYI – The Capybara Experience at North Georgia Wildlife & Safari Park is similar to the one at the Capyfriends cafe at Nacoochee Adventures.
North Georgia Wildlife & Safari Park also offers educational field trips for school groups, Zoo Camps, VIP tours, opportunities to shadow a zookeeper, and more.
