Anna Ruby admission$6 ages 16+; under 16 free
Hours9 a.m.–6 p.m. daily
Trail0.4 mi paved, one way
From Valhalla6.0 mi · ~20 min
Anna Ruby Falls essentials
| Detail | 2026 info |
|---|---|
| Falls | Curtis Creek, 153 ft, and York Creek, 50 ft, side by side |
| Trail | 0.4 mi paved, one way (0.8 mi round trip); steady uphill |
| Accessible option | Lion’s Eye Trail, a short paved interpretive loop with Braille signs |
| Hours | 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; last ticket 5 p.m. |
| Closed | Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day |
| Admission | $6 ages 16+; children 15 and under free |
| Phone | (706) 878-1448 |
Unicoi State Park essentials
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Parking | $5 per vehicle per day (self-pay boxes); $50 annual pass |
| Lake | 53-acre Unicoi Lake with sand beach (summer), canoe and pedal-boat rentals |
| Fishing | Catfish, bass and bream from six docks |
| Unicoi to Helen trail | 3 mi one way, moderate to strenuous |
| Smith Creek Trail to Anna Ruby Falls | 4.8 mi one way, strenuous (about 3 hours) |
| Mountain biking | 7-mile loop; $2 daily or $25 annual bike pass |
Visiting both without surprises
You don’t need to pay Unicoi’s parking fee if you’re only driving through to Anna Ruby Falls, but the Anna Ruby ticket doesn’t cover parking at Unicoi’s lake or trails. If you plan to stop at both, budget for both fees.
A morning plan from Valhalla
| Time | Stop |
|---|---|
| 8:45 a.m. | Leave Valhalla (6.0 mi · ~20 min) |
| 9:00 a.m. | Walk to the falls as gates open |
| 10:15 a.m. | Unicoi Lake loop or beach |
| Noon | Lunch in downtown Helen |
Drive estimates are measured from Valhalla’s front door (688 Bahn Innsbruck) using OpenStreetMap routing data. Expect longer drives on Oktoberfest and peak-foliage weekends.
