The 10 best parks and gardens in Helen

I have been a frequent visitor of Unicoi for about 7 years now. This week we got married in the park, and had a great time. I had to depart for a family emergency early and Ms. Patty was outstanding in listening and being kind. This park, it’s always clean and friendly. You can see wildlife all year round here. (Our favorite is the armadillos). If you go please be safe, keep it clean and make memories here.

Beautiful hotel and beautiful location. The two restaurants/bar are great. A little hard to get to some room with a bunch of baggage though lifts and ramps are there. We had a great view from our room and a staff member said it was the best room. Lots of places to sit and hang out outside. Fire pits available etc. There is a shuttle to take you into town and back. Super clean, great room service people. I liked it and would stay again.

Overall: great! Good: End of October, leaves changing, first frost, great time. Service was excellent: needed extra bedding, no problem. Food was great. Shuttle was good and very convenient. Take the trip up to Anna Ruby Falls ($5/person). It's a short hike, but was good. Bad: Mattress was a bit older inner spring, a bit of a hard time sleeping. Shower did need some caulk to prevent leaking. Could smell someone smoking dope occasionally; no fault of lodge. Overall, a great stay. Would do again.

Great place to stay. Every building (A, B, C) has its own common area where you can sit by the fireplace, watch tv etc. The lodge & rooms have undergone a recent renovation & the rooms are clean & spacious. Breakfast is not included, but if you decide to partake it is buffet style for $16.99 pp. I also love how there are swings on the lawn to sit & relax.

We are enjoying our stay at Unicoi State Park. Our group of 11 rented two cabins (a three bedroom and a 2 bedroom one). Chris handled our check in and was nice and helpful. We drove to our cabins and we were having problems with one of our key cards and JT (maybe one of the cleaning staff?) helped us out. He also kindly carried a case of water for me that started slipping out of my hands. We knew the cabins were rustic so that didn’t bother us. It had what we needed. I stayed at one of the barrel cabins. There are two bedrooms upstairs and a sleeper sofa downstairs. There is only one bathroom and it is located downstairs. Be mindful that that there are a lot of stairs if renting one of these cabins, from getting your stuff to the cabin to climbing to your bedrooms. We made it work but we definitely broke a sweat! The cabins are about 8 minutes from town on windy roads. I was the nights DD and you really do not want to navigate the roads after even with one drink (I didn’t drink anything).The beer hall we went to served NA beer along with other options. We were in the B cabins and the rest of our group was in the C cabins. It was a fairly easy walk between the two. Just be mindful to stay off the paved road. There was some traffic with a blind turn. I had read there wasn’t a lot of seating so we packed camping chairs and used them on the back deck. The deck has two Adirondack chairs and the dinning table had four chairs we could have moved out there. I packed all my toiletries in a separate large canvas bag and that was super helpful since we had to carry it down the steps to use the bathroom/shower. There is a hair drier but it wasn’t very strong. I was glad I packed mine from home. Water pressure and temperature was good. I read people had trouble with cell service but we were fine. Overall this is a nice option if you plan on sating in Helen.

I was at the Lodge for the GRWA conference and was very happy with everything associated with the stay. All the employees, From the front desk to the hospitality staff, were polite and professional, quick to offer assistance. Unfortunately, the weather kept me from taking advantage of the activities offered by the lodge. Overall it was a great experience.

Went for the Zip Line only. I have gone to a few different Zip Lines and this one is definitely my favorite/best. Definitely recommend doing the level 3, the lines are so much better. 1 line is almost 1/2 mile long.

Pros - Went early on a Tuesday, no wait in line Shaded in trees so not terribly hot in Summer Ability to control speed Fun track, nothing too crazy Second ride is discounted, but we didn't do a second run as we were on a schedule Cons - Short ride, luckily did not wait too long Ability to control speed - if the person in front of you is leisurely coasting and you want a fast run, you're stuck going slow. Would be nice if they could allow more time between riders for the opportunity for those that prefer a fast run. Overall a pretty cool experience. I think $17 for the ride is pretty up there, but still glad we tried it. Bags not allowed on but they have lockers to rent, or just leave your things in your car. Ladies, make sure your long hair is tied up.

End of September, I'm guessing prefect timing for no tourist, because we had no lines. They are set up for a line of 200 people so I can imagine it gets busy. Friendly staff, discount for military, half off second ride, and even a free second ride if it's your birthday. Self controlled speed, but i did all throttle the whole way. Staff said max speed is 27 mph, with 3 spots that will slow you down if you fast. There are only 2 jerk spots and they are at the beginning at the sharp turns. Again I was full throttle. Time wise, it was a quick ride, but super fun. We did it twice and would bring friends and family here. Side notes. They have lockers, and new hair ties for people with long hair (required to be in a bun), kid friendly, and safety conscious staff. Right off of the main road of Helen.

Fun ride! Inexpensive for the thrill. Moderate wait, but wasn’t too bad. Did have a discount for second trip. Fully self controlled speed. Did not have any bad jerks like a roller coaster. 84 year old father was able to ride and enjoy - so great for young and young at heart.

So much fun for all ages. We did go during oktoberfest and on the weekend so line can get long. Also remember tp keep your receipt that is your ticket for the ride.

Long line when I got there. Waited about 30 minutes and the ride was only about 3 minutes long..but it was surprisingly good. Be sure to bury your phone deep in a pocket if you're going to go down full speed!!

Fun ride. Control your own speed with the handles. Friendly staff. A little pricy for the short ride but overall really fun.

My fiance and I did this together and it was a lot of fun ! Def recommend doing this if you stop by in Helen. They take a photo of you towards the end and you can buy it from the shop. I think it was like 10 bucks if I remember right.

The obstacles left us longing for more — they were mostly all straight shots with a little slope or turn, but there is one excellent hill/wiggle/tunnel to the hole in the very back. It’s blazing hot on sunny days in the summer, so an epic choice to have an ice cream shop next door!

Such a charming, adorable, & beautiful mini golf course! Perfect for a date night. We saw that they have an ice cream place & some merch available for sale. Definitely recommend this place for mini golf lovers 😇

$25 for two adults was a bit steep. It’s 18 holes that are competitive. The location could use a bit of an update. It’s okay to make some cool changes and still stay with the German theme. We had a great time and we made sure to TAKE are time and not feel rushed. Go during the week!

Such a cute place! Easy to follow course. A few loose bricks here and there, but nothing too bad. Quick to play, and the ice cream shop is adorable. Fun way to spend an hour or so on a sunny day!

My husband and I visited Helen for the first time: we shopped, we ate, we went on the coaster, and we ended our afternoon with a round of mini golf and a scoop of ice cream at Alpine Golf & Scoop De Scoop. The beautiful details of the alpine theme were so fun! The greens are in great shape, and the creek running through the grounds added to the beauty of the experience. Lorelei checked us in and was very pleasant and friendly. We will definitely come back with the kids.

It had lots of flowers and was pretty. 18 holes with a free game if you get a hole in one on number 8.

A bit underwhelmed by the mini golf options in Helen. This particular course came recommended so I was hoping that it would be better maintained than Bavarian Mountain. It is beautifully landscaped but the greens had lots of debris and even a natural sand trap from heavy rains that had happened several days before. For the price, I would think that would be cleaned up. Putt putt golf used to involve clever obstacles but this course only offers the occasional curve or rolling green. One hole built on the hill had a switchback track but little to challenge adults. No cute windmills to shoot through. There was also an accident on the floor of the women's bathroom that had not been addressed by the staff; I guess that wasn't in their job description which I guess I can understand due to the health hazard, but eww. The pictured hole had a creative two ball design. Make of that what you will. Lol

Nora Mill Granary is a hidden gem you absolutely must visit! 🌾✨This charming spot is full of history. You’ll find a wonderful variety of local products—delicious Jam, fresh-milled flours, and many handmade goodies. But the real magic is out back, where you’ll discover a breathtaking river view that’s simply unforgettable. It’s the perfect place to visit with family and take home something special. Truly a place worth visiting and remembering!

An actual working mill with a real, live miller! When we went on Friday, he was grinding corn for grits and you could see it going up the elevator and down the chutes, it's fun to watch. I returned on a Wednesday and he wasn't milling anything. There are yellow and white corn grits in 1, 2, 5, and 10 lbs sizes, 5 lbs will set you back about $12. There's also flour, cornmeal, loads of baking mixes and other food, candy, souvenirs, cooking utensils and you can go out back to watch the mill work, see the dam, and feed the fish and geese.

Great place to get real stone ground products. Wide selection of baking products. Really neat general store attached to the mill.

This grain mill has been in operation for a long time. They were unloading a truck of corn when we were there. They were very busy! I bought seasoned cornmeal and popcorn. We walked on the back deck to see the waterfall made by the dam. It's a nice piece of history.

This is a hidden in plain sight gem! Nora Mill Granary was one of the unexpected highlights of my trip. I would definitely make this a stop on your list. They grind corn into different products right on site. They have samples, that are delicious along with recipes to go with them. If you want to step back in time for a minute, this is the place! There is a waterfall and babbling creek right behind the store that is a must see.

Historic site and very beautiful location. This mill is still in operation. They have wide selection of meal, flour, baking supplies, and more! Summer time is the best time to feed the Trout. The waterfalls are beautiful and power this lovely old mill. Plenty of jams, butters, and jellies to sample! Parking is limited directly at the Mill, if you're driving a larger vehicle that is a boat, park across the street. No parking on the porch! As a visitor very rudely did while we were there! Will continue to enjoy our visits through the year!

The Nora Milk area was like taking a strong back in time. You can get fresh grains ground on-site! Behind the building was exquisite! The stream, the greenery, etc.. it's a tiny little drive & totally worth it! Helen really is a gorgeous area

This was a fabulous fun time for the whole family. On a hot summer day. The water was low we would recommend buying the $5 stick to use to push yourself off the Rocks as the water was low at times you get stuck but not for long, we still had a blast. We're looking forward to doing it again. Very well-organized company with the convenience of the bus bringing you back to your starting location.

Had an incredible time tubing down the hooch. We loved that they are dog friendly as well. They offer 1 or 2 hour floats. We opted for 1, since the river water was low. They offer free parking and I recommend renting a stick to maneuver yourself. They sell everything you need if you forget it, but we brought our own water shoes and waterproof phone pouches.

Great place to use for your river tubing. Staff is super friendly, got lots of info before buying tickets. The line is moving fairly quickly. Lots of parking. 2 location. 2nd location has zip lining. They have dressing rooms avaiable and the bus will take you to the 1 or 2 hours tubing location. Price for the 1 and 2 hours tubbing is the same. You can bring you dog as well! Better to go earlier in the day. We wrnt at 12 noon.

We tubed this weekend and it was the highlight of our trip! We did the 2 hour float and it was perfect with kids. The company ran it efficiently, with plenty of buses running so the wait was minimal. I highly recommend renting sticks there to help as you navigate down the river. Also make sure to bring water shoes (they do have water shoes available for purchase if you don’t have any).

It is very well organized and not overpriced. I think they should tell you if it’s your first time there are lots of rocks, lots of still zones and you probably need a stick and a partner to tether with. This would have made it a much more enjoyable ride. You can choose 1 or 2 hours. If it’s your first time do one … trust me lol Also, fill out your form online before you get there and you will go through the line much faster

We went on June 23, 2025, a family group of 9 and we had an amazing time! The staff was amazing and friendly and it was so easy to purchase our tickets and board the bus! We would definitely recommend and be back soon for another amazing adventure! PS: Definitely recommend getting or bringing a stick to help you along the river! A+

Make sure you monitor rain levels as you want the river to be high and running. Push sticks are definitely needed. Super fun at awesome prices! They have dressing rooms and rental lockers, but will hold your car keys for free. We purchased in advance online (not sure that was needed - maybe best for peak times) and our tickets came with a free locker. If traveling with others, I recommend you borrow the connector straps to tie tubes together, otherwise you may find yourself floating down on your own.

Did the 2 hour tube ride. Super fun. Be sure to check the river level before you go. Staff was friendly and welcoming. Buy the stick!!! The only down side is the amount of tubers! We went when they first opened. There were about 10 ppl who put in at the same time. About an hour in is the launch for the other tubing company. And that's when it got crowded. Like bumper cars at one point. All and all fun activity and would recommend on a hot day.

Went for my grandsons 15th birthday... the kids loved the place.. but of course, the food and drink are overpriced! Cost us about $215 total for the day for 7 bodies ( entrance and food ). It's not too bad. Like I said, the kids had fun.. but one would think since it's a "water park" 1. There would be more water attractions.. 2. Some splash pads!! Just saying 🤨

A little bit small but my kids still had a blast. There is one lazy river with two slides and two tube slides. My kids played again again and again with basically no wait time. Staff on the top was very nice to explain how to sit and grab the double tubes as we are the first time players.

We did the tubing on the river. I can say that it is something I checked off my bucket list. I can't swim so I wore a life jacket as some spots were deep while others were very, very low. Those low areas were difficult to navigate across as I got stuck numerous times on rocks. I would say it was more of a work out than just a leisure stroll down the river. Definitely ensure you buy the 5.00 stick cause you will need it. Took me 3 hours to get all the way down the river. Was a good experience but I don't know if I would do it again.

We had a lot of fun. However, the park is fairly small, and there isn't much to do for smaller kids who are afraid of the big slides. They have a two story playground but it is for children 4 and under, I have a 6 year old who is afraid of slides and she got bored pretty early on, however, there were no other kids on the playground so they allowed her to use it which was very nice.

The employees are very friendly and helpful. They have a general store that sells most things needed for the park. I paid $18.75 for me and $13.75 for my 4 year old (or anyone under 42 inches). Everyone gets a wristband to wear and the price is for the entire day so you can leave and come back. They are open from 9am to 5pm. They have a very large covered playground for kids and a concession stand as well. The only issue for me is that you have to go down a lot of steps to get to the water and to get to the bathrooms you have to go back up those steps and down another set that is off to the side. The lazy river was our favorite thing to do.

If your grandparents like us, you will want to stay away. Unless you buy a swim pass. Required even if you won't be swimming. You will be relegated to sitting on a balcony with plenty of fans for employees, but none for grandma and grandpa. Attendance was light this day, and the boys never found anyone to play with, so they were ready to do something else fairly soon.

My husband and I love walking here! Most of the trail is shaded and you can hear the river running by. It is delightful!

It's such a beautiful trail and it's easy to walk. There usually aren't a lot of people here either, so it's peaceful.

Oh, this trail is NICE ! Level, paved trail with occasional boardwalks. City of Helen is very proud of this gorgeous walk and keeps it clean. If you haven't been, come for a walk and bring your (leashed) dog. They love it too !

Really an ideal trail for a short run or for skateboarding (~1 mile each way, easy grades). Well designed, well maintained, well paved. Plenty of interpretive markers about the history of gold, railroading, and agriculture in the area. Beautiful views of the Chattahoochee River and a waterfall, and Nacoochee Village (inaccessible from the trail itself). Observation decks and places to sit are available, and the trail managers have built a nice boardwalk section also. The historic farm at one end of the trail itself is worth checking out separately. Four stars instead of five for lack of services on the trail, and a little bit of a remote area if the farm is not open on a given day (and the least populated area of Helen on the other end of the trail).

The Hardman Farm Heritage Trail is kid friendly. It’s a super short trail that’s wide and winding next to the river. We started on the North side in Helen, GA and walked to the South side at Hardman Farms. Along the way there were some plaques you can read as well as a section that you can jump to see how far you jump as compared to different animals (see the picture attached). This is the perfect trail for a toddler just learning to hike as well as for other hikers who are just stretching their legs. Have fun on the Hardman Farm Heritage Trail!

The Heritage Trail Zander the mansion are great places to visit. The trail we took was about 2 miles, and is a cement walkway, with wooden bridges, so it is literally a walk in the park :) Throughout the trail are historical signs with info on the wildlife, the river, etc. During the trail there are rest stops and benches. At one end is the mansion and the store, so you can visit that, get some drinks, books and more. A fun time for the family!

I've been visiting Helen for over 30 years, and I can't believe I just discovered this today. The crazy July 4th traffic diverted us to this little gem. We had a picnic lunch in the gazebo and then hiked the paved, mostly-shaded trail. It was idyllic as you walk along the Chattahoochee river. Glimpses of Nacoochee buildings, waterfalls and rocky river beds, plus gorgeous trees all around. The trail ends at the Hardman Farm Historic Site, about one mile away (which has restrooms and a gift shop). It's an easy hike for our family (teens down to one year old). Please help keep it clean.

Smithgall Woods / Duke’s Creek Conservation Area is part of the Georgia State Park System, and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. The park offered controlled hunting, as well as catch & release Trout Fishing. There are several trails in the system. The Laurel Ridge Trail has an Awesome view of Yonah mountain in the distance. There are areas of wildflowers, but seems to be hit & miss. There’s a large field with nearby picnic tables close to the parking lot. There is handicap parking, but limited access to the trails. There is a gift shop & a small interpretive room with interesting objects on display. Smithgall is a short distance from Vogel & Unicoi State Parks. as well as Ana Ruby & De Soto Fall Recreation Areas. The towns of Helen & Cleveland are a short drive away. There are clean restrooms and a beverage vending machine available.

Great walk in the woods here , there are lots of paved and gravel roads . The trails are actual trails and very enjoyable , I did the ash creek, Martin mines and Cathy Ellis trail to chicane falls. Ash creek has two water crossings and one is a big one , I scampered across a bunch of downed logs and prayed for no snakes . Once across there was a steep incline and then levels out. On the ash creek trail I encountered my first bear ever , he was spooked and ran off and I had the joy of seeing him or her as they ran away . Once back on the road I walked away from the covered bridge until I came to the Martin Mine loop . The loop is about a mile and is very informative , especially if you pick up the pink flyer at the visitor center that tells you about the points of interest . This trail is about 2.1 miles from the visitor center . Once back on the road continue walking in the same direction away from the visitor center and in about a half mile or so you come to the Cathy Ellis Memorial trail. This short half mile in and half mile out is very satisfying and the Chunanee falls at the end are a great spot to cool off . Then you make the journey back to the visitors center . I loved seeing the bee hives they keep by the way and other than at the visitors center and around , I encountered no people. There is a parking fee of $5 to park there and there are bathrooms , a cute store for souvenirs and a vending machine for water or sodas .

As always, the visitor center has an incredible taxidermy exhibit. I’ve hunted here, but I don’t usually hike at this park. I visited recently with my friend and her 2 year old and we hiked the purple blaze laurel loop trail. It’s about 1.5 mi, and the toddler LOVED it. She ran/ walked the entire trail til the very end. We had a great time, and I’d like to explore more hiking trails here.

Nice place for hiking and paved road for strollers but at the beginning you will go up the hill then down. Be prepared for pushing the strollers up hill. Almost 2 miles of paved road then gravel road. Other trails without any signs of where it leads to. Five dollars fee per vehicle. If active duty receive a discount. Beautiful place to enjoy nature.

Beautiful, quiet even though thr parking lot was packed. I do wish the trail signs were a little better, but that is a very minor thing in an overall wonderful park.

This place is truly beautiful. It's peaceful and you become one eith nature. The waterfalls are gorgeous. Would recommend to anyone who is looking for a nice peaceful hike. Me and my dogs hike it and we were the only ones on the trail. Highly recommend this place.

Beautiful park that is very well maintained. Multiple hiking trails and roads to explore

I lived just up the street from Unicoi Hill park for 30 years. It’s a great playground. Enough to keep all ages of kids entertained. Great for adults too with water fountains for drinking and grills to cook on. Also a great walking path and picnic tables. Bathroom located near by.

The park is described as very pleasant and well-kept. One reviewer says: “Gorgeous park, amazing views, and lovely gardens. … Bathrooms are nearby.” Wanderlog +4 Tripadvisor +4 Tripadvisor +4 Lots of amenities for families: playgrounds for kids, plenty of seating for adults (including swing benches), benches, gazebos. Tripadvisor +2 Tripadvisor +2 Good walking paths and trails: There are paved walkways and easy access to nature even though the park is in town. Tripadvisor +1 Scenic touches: It features a small waterfall (Alana Falls) and is nicely landscaped, making it a better break from typical tourist shopping areas. Tripadvisor +1 Convenient location: It’s in or near downtown Helen (Georgia), making it easy to fit into a visit.

Great playground for the kids, and plenty of benches and porch swings for the parents/grandparents. Nice walking paths for dog-walking and restrooms nearby. We will definitely stop by again when spending the day in Helen!

Park your car, get out, and walk around this beautiful quaint park up on the hill.

My kids have a lot of fun at this park. It is also really shaded which I love. There are bench swings and benches to sit on while the kids are playing. The gazebo is beautiful and we love the little waterfall (Alana Falls). The landscaping is beautiful as well. There are nearby bathrooms in the downtown shopping/restaurant area.

This place is good for parents with kids and also adults. You can take memorable pictures on park hills and enjoy Christmas lights. A clean bathroom, water fountain and trash containers add more comfort. There's an artificial waterfall that works during daytime (close the road) Also, the Unicoi trail starts 50-100 yards uphill from park parking. Sign shows no picnic items can be brought.

Very beautiful little State park. Starts right about from where the North main Street of Helen starts. Entry is free. Perfect for a family picnic or even kids. There are picnic shelters also in the park. It looked unbelievable when there were Christmas lights. It looks stunning at late evenings. The view from the park is also great. Plenty of photoshoots take place during the day in the park. Parking could be an issue, but there are plenty of paid parking options nearby. Overall a great experience. Would surely recommend.

(Translated by Google) Various offers for enjoyment and well-being, picturesque place (Original) Variadas ofertas para el disfrute y bienestar, pintoresco lugar