Adventure at Beautiful High Falls State Park

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There is nothing like a weekend getaway in the middle of a hectic month. However, it is hard to travel more than two hours for a weekend trip because your valuable time gets swallowed up in a car or at the airport. Loving Living Green loves taking weekend trips close to home yet seem far away. High Falls State Park in Jackson, Georgia, is a perfect fit for a fantastic weekend adventure. With a location only an hour south of Atlanta, it is convenient and full of fun!

The History of High Falls State Park

High Falls was once the center of a booming 19th-century industrial town. The town had many stores, a blacksmith, cotton gin, shoe factory, hotel, and a grist mill. During the 1880s, High Falls was bypassed by a railroad, and the industrious town soon disappeared. Today, park rangers provide scheduled hikes to the town’s ruins.

In 1904, a dam was built along with a powerhouse at High Falls. The dam was created to generate electricity for textile mills in the nearby town of Griffin. The remains of the powerhouse are a popular fishing site at the park.

The Falls

High Falls State Park was named due to the largest waterfall in central Georgia (south of Atlanta). The waterfall cascades 135 feet into the Towaliga River. Just to note, the old powerhouse dam is visible from the road, but do not mistake it for the waterfall. The waterfall is located approximately one-half mile from the visitor’s center.  A trail leads from the visitor’s center, alongside the falls and the river, and through the forested section of the park.

The waterfall is a fall line waterfall. A fall line waterfall indicates a change in elevation at the waterfall, which demarcates the hilly Piedmont region of northern Georgia from the Coastal Plain region that makes up middle and southern Georgia. Settlers navigated Georgia’s rivers and traveled north from the Coastal Plain to the Piedmont. As their vessels reached the fall line, they could travel no further due to the sharp change in geography and elevation. Because of this phenomenon, settlers would set up trading posts and towns in these areas along the fall line. The once prosperous town of High Falls is a product of Georgia’s fall line.

The construction of the dam created the 650-acre High Falls Lake. The lake is one of the top bass fishing lakes in Georgia. Two boat ramps and a fishing area are available near the visitor’s center.

Lodging and Amenities at High Falls State Park

The Georgia State Park System does a magnificent job of providing visitors accommodations.

Although we camp, yurts are available for non-campers. Six lakeside yurts (including electricity) are available for visitors to stay up to 14 days. The yurts sleep six visitors each.

High Falls State Park has two separate campgrounds, with 97 campsites. One campground is centrally located on the lake and is called the lake campground. The lake campground has smaller sites and accommodates tent campers and owners of small campers.  An additional campground is located along the Towaliga River and is referred to as the river campground.  The river campground lends favor to larger campers and RVs.

The park has a charming camp store with games and supplies for adventuring and lodging. In addition, kayaks, canoes, john boats, aqua cycles, and paddleboards are available to rent for daily use.

A unique feature of High Falls is that it has a swimming pool. If you are not fond of tubing but like to take a dip, this park is a great choice. The park also has geo-caching and miniature golf.

If you are a hiker, the park contains over four miles of hiking trails through the forest and along the river.

Jackson and Surrounding Towns

Dauset Trails Nature Center is located eight miles from High Falls. Dauset Trails rehabilitates animals and reptiles. At Dauset Trails, visit a 19th-century working farm with animals and a blacksmith. Admission is free.

Lake Jackson is a 4,750-acre reservoir located in Jackson, the same town as High Falls. The reservoir is an excellent area for fishing and water sports. If you visit Lake Jackson, be sure to grab a bite at the Blind Pig Barbeque. You won’t be disappointed!

Indian Springs State Park is the oldest state park in Georgia. Located nine miles from High Falls in Flovilla, Indian Springs is home to a natural spring known for its healing powers. The park is also filled with depression era, Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) architecture.

Juliette, Georgia

When visiting High Falls, Sean, Jackson, Lucy, and I like to visit the town of Juliette. Located 18 miles from High Falls, Juliette is home to the Whistle Stop Café, made famous by the 1991 movie Fried Green Tomatoes, filmed on location. If you visit, make sure you eat at the Whistle Stop. There may be a wait, but the food is worth every minute!

Jarrell Plantation State Historic Site is also located in Juliette. Jarrell Plantation represents what life was like on a middle-class cotton plantation before the Civil War.  

Around Town

If you love shopping, the Tanger Outlet Mall is located 17 miles from High Falls in Locust Grove. Enjoy over 60 stores, including Under Armor, Kate Spade, and Carter’s.

Buckner’s Restaurant is one of our favorite dining establishments, and it is an attraction unto itself. The restaurant is just 4.5 miles from High Falls and is truly all you can eat. Buckner’s serves family-style, where they place a fixed menu on a large lazy susan in the middle of your table. If you run out of an entree, the wait staff is quick to replenish the dish. Buckner’s has my favorite fried chicken. Along with the chicken, a typical menu includes ribs, barbecue, boiled potatoes, cream corn, fresh beans, green beans, coleslaw, stewed tomatoes, peach cobbler, rolls, and cornbread. Check Buckner’s website to view their daily choice of meats.

High Falls is the perfect weekend getaway. The park is located at 76 High Falls Drive, Jackson, Georgia 30233. We hope you visit and enjoy!

Are you interested in visiting High Falls but prefer not to camp? Check out Trip Advisor for fantastic lodging deals in the area!

Do you have a favorite park activity? We would love to hear from you. Please drop a line in the comment section below!

Looking at other Georgia State Parks? Learn more about Fort Yargo and Hard Labor Creek!