Georgia's VIP Waterfall: Your Name Must Be "On the List" to Visit This Natural Wonder

Are you "on the list" to visit one of Georgia's most exclusive natural attractions? If not, don't even think of visiting Lula Falls unless you've made reservations in advance for your VIP-like entry.

Like a Hollywood VIP, your name must be "on the list" to enter Georgia's Lula Falls. Reservations are definitely required.Photo byDeanLand / OurTravelCafe.com

Located in the Northwest corner of the state, wedged between Cloudland Canyon’s twin falls to the South and Chattanooga’s natural, commercial and Civil War attractions to the North, Lula Falls is west Georgia's tallest free-falling waterfall.

Within an 8,000 acre land preserve that's tightly managed by the Lula Lake Land Trust, Rock Creek plunges more than 100 feet into a deep, rocky canyon to create Lula Falls. This exploration remained on our “to-do” list for years, but never seemed to get checked off.

Finally ending our procrastination, we made the required reservations and piled our seven family members and two dogs into the minvan for our waterfall odyssey to this long-awaited destination.

Like traveling VIPs, we piled our family, grandkids and grand dogs into the minivan for our Lula Lake odyssey.Photo byDeanLand / OurTravelCafe.com

Limited Schedule

Lula Falls generally is open to the public on the first and last weekends of each month. Advance reservations can be made online only, with payment due at reservation time. A $16 reservation is good for a parking space for a family vehicle, but NOT for passenger vans, busses or extra-large vehicles. No one is allowed without a reservation — believe this, as we saw the friendly volunteers cheerfully guide several reservation-less visitors back to the exit! Group reservations and private, guided visits also are available. You can find all the details on reservations, special offers, FAQs and more at the land trust website.

We made an on-time arrival, then checked in with the staff. Our hosts provided a printed trail map, and we headed to the falls.

The easiest route (and most heavily-trafficked) is to follow the wide, crushed rock surfaced road to the falls. After approximately 1.5 miles to Lula Lake, the road continues another 1/10th mile to the Lula Falls Trail. The narrow trail descends approximately 150 feet on stairs and a natural trail. But, if you don't want to descend, there are observation points along the way to view the falls.

The aptly-named High Adventure Trail lived up to its billing. Eventually, we made it to the falls for our planned adventure.Photo byDeanLand / OurTravelCafe.com

Change of Plans!

And that WAS our planed route — until we spotted a footbridge over a stream to our right leading off into the woods. Like dogs distracted by a squirrel, we immediately veered off our planned route for a different adventure, which included a rope-assisted descent and a skyline walk.

Like dogs distracted by a squirrel, this footbridge was too much temptation for our grandsons. So, off we went on an unplanned adventure.Photo byDeanLand / OurTravelCafe.com

When we reached Lula Falls trail, we struggled to keep up with two eager boys. The descent into the canyon at the falls base is rocky and can be slippery, so be mindful of your footwear. If you descend to the base (and at 65-years-old, we did it!), a 150-foot stair-aided climb back up is required, so beware of endurance limits for those with different physical abilities. The natural, rock and wood stairs don’t have rails, so those with balance issues may find walking sticks or hiking poles helpful here and elsewhere in the preserve.

We descended to the base of the promontory where Rock Creek plunges as Lula Falls into the canyon. Around us, a handfull of people enjoyed the scenery, some braving the mist created by the falls. Thanks to the excellent efforts of the land trust to preserve the natural environment, the number of people visting really was a manageable and pleasant number.

On our hike back, we stopped at Lula Lake and watched a smaller waterfall tumble into the lake area.

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We write mostly about Georgia topics -- outdoors, family activities, fun local finds, and outings. Occasionally, we venture further, too. To enjoy more articles about fun, family-oriented Georgia activities, follow DeanLand on Newsbreak. You can also find more from DeanLand at OurTravelCafe.com.