Gorgeous Georgia waterfalls not too far from home

Water and shade beat the heat. Head to north Georgia (or Roswell) to check out some of Georgia's prettiest cascades within a two- to three-hour drive.

Amicalola Falls: The 729-foot waterfall in Dawson County is the tallest in Georgia.

• The park offers trails for different skill levels. If you want a workout, hike to the top.

Tallulah Gorge: A suspension bridge and overlook offer views of the two-mile, 1,000-foot deep gorge.

• You'll need a free permit — 100 are available every day — to access the gorge floor.

Vickery Creek: This old spillway dam from the historic Roswell Mill is the grand prize on the popular Chattahoochee National Recreation Area hike.

High Shoals Falls and Blue Shoals Falls: These popular waterfalls are accessible along a roughly 3-mile wooded trail near Hiawassee.

Jacks River Falls: Found along the challenging 9-mile Beech Bottom Trail, this hulk of a waterfall is one of Georgia's most remote and most beautiful.

High Falls State Park: Situated in Jackson, this attraction is the tallest "cascading waterfall south of Atlanta," its website notes.

• Heads up: The park's Fall View Trail is closed until Sept. 1, but others are open.

What to bring: Water, food, comfortable clothes and shoes, plus a bathing suit and towel — though double-check whether swimming is allowed.

• Pro tip: Pin locations on your Google Maps app just in case you lose reception.

Atlanta Trails has a solid list of other beautiful waterfalls.

Want to take a drive just over the state line? Our colleagues at Axios Charlotte have several waterfalls worthy of a road trip.