Land Manager: GA State Parks

Native Lands: ᏣᎳᎫᏪᏘᏱ Tsalaguwetiyi (Cherokee, East), S’atsoyaha (Yuchi) (from native-lands.ca)

Area Rep: Wes Whitaker, westrywhit@gmail.com

 

ACCESS ISSUES

Please help us gather data on the distribution of climbing passes. After every visit to Tallulah, please fillout the Tallulah 365 Survey.

SCC, Access Fund, and American Alpine Club – ATL are working collaboratively to improve the climbing experience at Tallulah Gorge State Park and create policy, through partnership, that is in line with modern climbing management and easier for park staff to implement, as well as more positive to climbers. If you have any interest in joining a task force that regularly meets to improve the climbing experience at Tallulah Gorge State Park fill out THIS FORM.

Beta

Tallulah Gorge is a deep quartzite fissure located in northeast Georgia with many traditional climbs. The area offers fine quality stone and a unique setting and exposure. Best times to climb are late fall to spring. Tallulah is often closed for Peregrine Falcon nestings and white water releases. Be sure to contact the park in advance of making the trip to ensure climbing is open.

Directions

Google Maps

What to Expect

When you’re ready for superb trad climbing in Georgia, you may be ready for Tallulah Gorge. Don’t let the touristy Interpretive Center fool you — when you leave the parking lot and hit the trail into the gorge, you’re in wild country and serious climbing territory. This is not a place for beginners; apart from a handful of moderate lines, the routes at Tallulah are hard multi-pitch trad or mixed aid/trad. The rock is high-quality quartzite, the scenery is beautiful and the exposure will raise your pulse rate.

 

2024 Water Release Dates

On a typical day, the water flow through the gorge is 35–40 CFS (cubic feet per second). During aesthetic releases, the flow is 200 CFS, and during whitewater releases, the flow is 500 CFS on Saturday and 700 CFS on Sunday. The southside staircase is closed to hikers. Climbing and hiking down in to the gorge are not allowed on these dates.

Aesthetic Water Releases
8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
(200 cubic feet per second)
This water flow is less than the whitewater releases but much more than the regular flow of water through the gorge. Hiking & rock climbing in the gorge are not allowed on these dates.
March 25, 26
April 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30
May 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21
November 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19
September 23, 24
October 18, 20, 28, 29

Whitewater Boating Weekends
10 a.m.–4 p.m.
(500–700 cubic feet per second)
Water thunders through the gorge as kayakers challenge their skills & spectators watch from the rim. Hiking & rock climbing in the gorge are not allowed on these dates.
April 6, 7, 13, 14
November 2,3,9,10,16, 17

Access notes

  • Call the park (706) 754-7981 the day before your visit to ask if they will be issuing permits or visit their Facebook page for up to date permit info. 
  • Fill out the Tallulah 365 Survey after every attempt to get a permit to help us keep track of the climber experience whether you get a permit or not.
  • Abide by water release closures (posted)
  • Be courteous and respectful to all Park personnel
  • Leave No Trace: Keep this area beautiful and clean. Clean up after yourselves, your peers, and your pets. Lead by example and pick it up on the first pass

Camping

Campsites may be reserved within Tallulah Gorge State Park here.

Guidebook

Dixie Cragger’s Atlas

DONATE