Approximately one hour from Highlands is Toccoa, Georgia, home of the Toccoa Bible College and Toccoa Falls. The waterfall is one of the most beautiful and unique in the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains. At a stunning 166 feet tall, 19 feet taller than Niagara Falls, it is one of the highest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River.
It is unique as it resembles a waterfall that might be seen in the Western United States rather one found in the the Blue Ridge. The INSP film Heritage Falls was filmed in part at Toccoa Falls.
In 1977, Toccoa College was the scene of a tragic event. After four days of heavy rain, the Kelly Barns Dam failed causing a devastating flood resulting in the death of 37 students and faculty.
Trail:
The trail begins at the campus bookstore/gift shop. To access the waterfall, go into the bookstore where you will pay a small admission fee of two dollars for adults and one dollar for seniors. Continue on a 100 yard extremely well groomed trail to the falls. The best way to photograph the falls is to use a camera with a wide angle lens or your cellphone.
Directions:
From downtown Highlands drive west on Main Street to Highway 106. Turn left on Highway 106 and drive 14 miles to US 441/23. Turn left and drive 26 miles to Talmadge Drive/GA-17. Bear left and follow Talmadge Drive/GA-17 and go eight miles to Forest Drive. In .5 miles bear right on Kincaid Drive. Once on the college campus, continue to the back of the campus to the bookstore.
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