Photograph by Caroline C. Kilgore
Wildcat Creek
Lake Burton Wildlife Management Area, off Highway 197 in Clayton
About two hours northeast of Atlanta
With a waterfall, a deep swimming hole, and a sloping and slippery rock that functions like a natural waterslide, Wildcat Creek—where the water is very brisk—is the perfect place to beat the heat.
Cave Spring’s Rolater Park
Off Cedartown Street in Cave Spring
About 90 minutes northwest of Atlanta
A natural spring feeds into a shallow stream that’s perfect for little ones and waders. Or try the one-and-a-half-acre spring-fed pool, which has a cement bottom, and the adjacent snack bar, volleyball area, and picnic tables.
Sea Creek Falls
Cooper Creek Scenic Area, off Highway 60, going toward Suches
About two and a half hours north of Atlanta
Take a paved road until it turns to dirt, look for the sign for Sea Creek Falls, then park when you can’t drive any farther. A five-minute walk from there gets you to a waterfall with several cascades and a small plunge pool that’s ideal for wading.
Panther Falls at Lake Rabun Recreation Area
Panther Creek Recreation Area on Lake Rabun Road, Lakemont
About two hours northeast of Atlanta
Here you can wade or sit in a large, shallow, sand-bottomed pool, or dunk your head in the waterfalls that await at the end of a 5.8-mile hike on the Panther Creek Trail.
This article originally appeared in our June 2016 issue.
