Tumbling Waters Trail showcases Carters Lake, creeks, and waterfalls on a short hike in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia.
Only a twenty minute drive from Ellijay, GA, Tumbling Waters is the easy hike that has it all. Enjoy the serenity of Carter’s Lake before you hike. Take in the creekside views and cascading waterfalls of the Tumbling Waters Trail. Plan this hike at the right time in the fall for a picturesque fall foliage scene. Continue reading below to learn more details about this hike, what to expect, and how to plan for it.
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When to Visit Tumbling Waters Trail and How to Get There
Predicting fall leaves in the Blue Ridge Mountains can be challenging because there’s a lot of factors such as rain, temperature, and elevation. These factors determine the dates of the week-long phenomenon of peak fall leaves. In this area, it’s typical for there to be a few days of building up to peak color, a full week of color, and a few days past peak with some late turners. Usually, peak week is the last week of October for the Chattanooga area but higher elevations like the Blue Ridge Mountains or the Smoky Mountains peak a week or two prior due to elevation. And again, peak week fluctuates year to year due to the other factors mentioned above. So, don’t be surprised if it’s a week early or a week late. A great resource to help you plan to catch peak colors is the Fall Foliage Prediction Map by SmokyMountains.com. And even if you miss peak week, this hike is still beautiful to enjoy no matter the season.
Tumbling Waters Trail is an hour and a half drive from downtown Chattanooga, but you can make the most of the drive by adding on the scenic drive over Fort Mountain. This will allow you to see mountain top overlooks, enjoy winding mountain roads, more fall foliage, and help you make a full day of this hike.
Starting at Carters Lake
The Tumbling Waters Nature starts alongside Carters Lake. Carters Lake is on the southern end of the Blue Ridge Mountains just south of Chatsworth, GA. The lake is formed by the tallest earthen dam east of the Mississippi River. Carters Lake is also the deepest lake in Georgia with depths of up to 450 feet. This place is popular for boating and fishing which you can tell when you visit this section where the trail starts. There’s a boat ramp and fishing docks near the trailhead. If you wish to explore more of Carters Lake, there’s camping options as well as more hiking trails, mountain biking, and boat ramps.
Tumbling Waters Trail
The Tumbling Waters Trail is just half a mile long making the trip out and back only one mile total. The trail is well worn but is still quite rocky and filled with tree roots. It’s not too steep, but there are definitely some ups and downs as well as sections that are narrow along the edge of the mountainside. Overall this hike is fairly easy considering the mild inclines, short length, and less than 100 feet in elevation change. The water features make it more than worth the short trek too.
Features of the Tumbling Waters Trail
The Tumbling Waters Trail features numerous highlights despite its short length. There’s a section off the side of the trail that passes by an open field. Beside this field is a trail that will take you to the lakeside for breathless beauty.
The small, cascading waterfalls flow from Tails Creek into Carters Lake. Even though they are small in stature, the length and multitude of them makes them stunning. And the bridge over Tails Creek and the overlook platform further up the trail enables you to fully immerse yourself in the experience.
Tips for Visiting Tumbling Waters Trail
Be prepared to pay by card when you enter the parking lot. There’s a small fee to park here and enjoy the amenities. The machine at the front only takes cards so be ready. I’m all about finding the free places, but I really think this spot is well worth the cost. There’s no-plumbing restrooms to use, but note that there’s no cell signal in this area.
Make your visit even more worthwhile by packing a lunch or dinner to enjoy at this spot, fish in the lake, or just sit on the floating dock by the water. Please remember to leave no food behind as this will encourage black bears and other animals to follow humans. Of course, you shouldn’t leave trash or anything behind either as this ruins the wildlife’s home.
Black Bears in the Blue Ridge Mountains
The Blue Ridge Mountains are known to have black bears so be prepared. Although the chance of running into a black bear is slim, it’s still wise to already know what to do if you do encounter one. Typically, bears will avoid you if they know you’re there, so making loud noises to announce your presence is a good start. Hike in a group if you can. Do your best to keep your distance from the bear and do not approach. Allow the bear to leave the area instead of getting closer to it. I have seen way too many people approaching black bears for photos and videos. Thankfully nothing bad has happened that I’ve witnessed, but it’s only a matter of time until a black bear attacks you for getting too close and threatening its livelihood.
If you’ve done everything to avoid the bear and it still approaches you, remember to not scream or run. Stay calm and continue to be loud in a low voice, not high-pitched. Wave your arms and make yourself look big. Do all this while slowly backing away from the bear. Never turn your back on the bear and never make eye contact with it. The goal here is to convince the bear that you’re not food and that you’re not a threat. It’s also good to note that the likelihood of you running into a bear is a lot slimmer in the winter because they will most likely be hibernating.
In Closing
This hike on Tumbling Waters Trail needs to be added to your hiking bucket list. I cannot state enough how amazing it is that this short trail can hold so much beauty. So next time you want a little hike and a scenic drive to get there, be sure to check out Tumbling Waters.
Be sure to watch the video experience of this hike. And here is the exact location of Tumbling Waters. Let me know in the comments below if you’ve been here or anywhere else on Carters Lake. I’d love to hear about it! Until next time, enjoy exploring Chatt!
Explore More of the North Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains:
- Camp on Lake Chatuge
- Take a Scenic Drive on Fort Mountain
- Enjoy a Waterfall Hike at Cloudland Canyon
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