Photo: Thomson200, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Helen is the Bavarian-style alpine village of the North Georgia mountains. The town rebuilt its downtown in a Bavarian look starting in 1969, and today its half-timbered shops, beer gardens and flower boxes line the Chattahoochee River, about 87 miles north of Atlanta. Helen is small, with about 630 residents, but it is surrounded by national forest, waterfalls and two state parks, which makes it one of the easiest mountain towns to fill a weekend in. Here are the best things to do in Helen, checked in October 2026.
- From AtlantaAbout 87 miles, 1 hour 50 minutes without traffic
- CountyWhite County
- Known forIts Bavarian-style village, Oktoberfest, tubing the Chattahoochee and nearby waterfalls
- Visitor infoHelen Welcome Center, 726 Bruckenstrasse; open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 706-878-2181
Top Things to Do in Helen
1. Helen Oktoberfest
Helen has held Oktoberfest every fall since 1970, with German bands, food and dancing in the festhalle. In 2026 it runs daily through November 1. Weekends are packed, so weekdays are the easier time to go.
2. Tube the Chattahoochee
Floating the river through downtown is Helen’s signature summer outing. Outfitters such as Cool River Tubing and Helen Tubing & Waterpark typically run from Memorial Day to Labor Day; check their sites for this year’s dates and prices.
3. Anna Ruby Falls
Twin waterfalls of 153 and 50 feet at the end of a paved 0.4-mile trail, a few miles north of town. The Forest Service charges $5 per person ages 16 and up.
4. Unicoi State Park
Right next to town, with a lake, lodge, campground, a 7.5-mile mountain bike loop and a 3-mile trail that walks you into Helen. $10 ParkPass per vehicle.
5. Dukes Creek Falls
A waterfall that drops about 150 feet down a granite gorge, at the end of a moderate trail a short drive west of Helen on the Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway.
6. Smithgall Woods State Park
A quiet park on Dukes Creek known for trout fishing by reservation only, on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from October through May (catch and release, artificial lures, barbless hooks). Call 706-878-3087.
7. Raven Cliff Falls
A longer hike, about 5 miles round trip, to a waterfall that pours through a split in a solid rock cliff in the Raven Cliffs Wilderness.
8. Richard B. Russell Scenic Highway
The 41-mile Russell-Brasstown loop starts just outside Helen and climbs past Hogpen Gap, with a side road up to Brasstown Bald, Georgia’s highest point. Best in mid-to-late October.
Advertise in Helen
Own a cabin rental, inn, restaurant, shop or outfitter in Helen? Put it in front of visitors planning their trip. See our advertising options or download the 2026 media kit (PDF).
Events and Seasons
Oktoberfest runs from September into early November, tubing season is roughly Memorial Day to Labor Day, and downtown is lit for Christmas in December (see Christmas lights in Georgia). For color timing, check our weekly North Georgia fall color report.
Nearby Towns and Trip Planning
Pair Helen with Dahlonega, Clarkesville, Hiawassee, or compare all of them in our 10 best North Georgia mountain towns. For the bigger picture, see 20 best things to do in North Georgia, the North Georgia map and our lodging and accommodations listings.
Common Questions
What is Helen, GA known for?
Helen is best known for its Bavarian-style village, Oktoberfest, tubing the Chattahoochee and nearby waterfalls.
How far is Helen from Atlanta?
Helen is about 87 miles from downtown Atlanta, roughly 1 hour 50 minutes by car without traffic.
Is Helen, Georgia worth visiting?
Yes, especially if you like festivals, shopping and easy nature. Helen pairs a walkable Bavarian-style downtown with Anna Ruby Falls, Unicoi State Park and Dukes Creek Falls, all within a few miles. Fall weekends during Oktoberfest are the busiest time; weekdays are much calmer.
Can you tube in Helen in the fall?
Tubing on the Chattahoochee in Helen is a summer activity. Outfitters typically operate from Memorial Day to Labor Day, so check their websites before planning a fall trip.
Sources we checked
Facts on this page were checked on October 15, 2026. Drive times are from downtown Atlanta (Five Points) using OpenStreetMap routing and do not include traffic. Hours, fees and event dates change, so confirm before you go:
- Alpine Helen/White County CVB: Welcome Center address, hours and phone
- Georgia State Parks: Unicoi and Smithgall Woods; 2026 ParkPass rate
- U.S. Forest Service: Anna Ruby Falls fee
- U.S. Census Bureau: 2024 population estimate (630)
Spot something out of date? Email Contact@n-georgia.com and we’ll check it against the official source. Read how we research our guides.