Hightower Falls
Georgia • 80 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainBefore you go
Hightower Falls is a private event venue and is not open to the public. Visits are by booking or appointment only; call (770) 748-8588.
About Hightower Falls
Hightower Falls is an 80-foot waterfall on Euharlee Creek in Polk County, Georgia, between Cedartown and Rockmart, next to the stone ruins of a mill built by Elias Dorsey Hightower in the 1840s. The site is privately owned and run as an event venue, so it is not open for casual visits. Viewing is by appointment or booking only.
The Setting
Hightower Falls sits at 951 feet in the foothills of Georgia. The falls drop 80 feet.
Height: 80 feet
Trail & Hike Details
What to Expect
The falls cascade 80 feet.
Accessibility
Accessibility may be limited due to uneven terrain and the private nature of the property. Contact the property owner for specific details.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Hightower Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🤑 Fees are required
Permit required
Reservations act as a permit to access the property. Contact the property owner for details.
🏊 Is There Swimming at Hightower Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and fall are ideal for visiting due to pleasant weather and vibrant foliage. Summer is also popular, but it may be warmer.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
Stay in the areas the owners allow; the creek gorge has steep, slippery rock around the falls.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Euharlee Creek, 6.8 miles away, not on Hightower Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
10 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Much lower than usual for this time of year
1.90 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is well below normal for this time of year, so the waterfall may be a trickle.
About This Gauge
This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge EUHARLEE CREEK AT US 278, AT ROCKMART, GA (11 km away).
Today
Barely Flowing
10 cfs
5/10Tomorrow
Barely Flowing
12 cfs
5/10Fri
Barely Flowing
10 cfs
5/10Sat
Barely Flowing
11 cfs
5/10Sun
Barely Flowing
11 cfs
5/10Mon
Barely Flowing
11 cfs
5/10Tue
Barely Flowing
10 cfs
5/10Best window: Today — barely flowing flow, mostly sunny (trip score 5/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid February to late April, peaking in February.
How we calculate this
This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.
Know when to go.
Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Buchanan hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Hightower Falls Frozen?
Updated about 10 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded
Hightower Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 72°F to 44°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 10 ft³/s
Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.
Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail.
Weather Forecast
The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR
Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.
1-meter lidar measures about 163 feet of descent through Hightower Falls, a steep tiered drop rather than a single free fall. That is more than the listed 80 feet because the gorge keeps dropping below the falls themselves. The brink sits at about 957 feet above sea level.
The ground changes about 21 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 70 feet in the 500 feet below. Facing north, the falls stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 957 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 163 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- North
- Mostly shaded, so the light stays soft and even all day.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading north).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
The venue is at 771 Hightower Falls Road, Cedartown, GA 30125. Do not visit without arranging it with the owners first.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Parking is on site for guests with a booking or appointment.
Hours
Elevation
951 feet above sea level
Coordinates
33.934269° N, -85.144116° W
Visitor Tips & Gear
Call the venue at (770) 748-8588 to ask about an appointment to see the falls. Follow the owners' rules on site.
Where to Stay
Quality Inn Cedartown
La Quinta by Wyndham Atlanta Douglasville
Super 8 by Wyndham Villa Rica
Holiday Inn Express Atlanta W (I-20) Douglasville by IHG
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Additional Information
Nearby Attractions
Nearby attractions include the Silver Comet Trail and Cedartown's historic downtown area.
Wildlife
The area around Hightower Falls may feature common Georgia wildlife such as birds, squirrels, and deer.
Cities near Hightower Falls
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