Name: Keown Falls Loop
Rating: 4.3

Hikes Map Explore

Keown Falls Loop Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, GA

LENGTH 1.9 MILES

DIFFICULTY 3.9 Easy

DURATION 1 hour

ELEVATION GAIN

550

feet

TRAIL TYPE

Loop

Keown Falls Loop

With views and a trickling waterfall, the Keown Falls loop trail is a great short and easy hike less than an hour from Chattanooga. Solitude seekers will also enjoy this hike in all but the warmest season and with expanded winter views, this hike makes a great option for colder months. Bring the family and the dog on this one.

The trailhead is located in the Keown Falls Recreation Area where you'll find restrooms and numerous picnic tables and grills. Begin along the rock-lined trail next to the info sign. Look for a green blaze. This first blaze is the only one I noticed, but the trail is easy to follow with signs at all intersections.

You'll quickly come to the split that forms this loop and can take either direction. This page describes heading right to go around counter-clockwise. Crossing the creek, the trail begins to gain elevation, making one long switchback before reaching the intersection with the connector trail for the Johns Mountain Loop and the Keown Falls observation deck up a steep set of steps. Just before this you'll also catch some pretty great views to the southeast. This half of the hike is shared with the much lengthier Pinhoti Trail.

Stay right to continue to head up the steps to the observation deck where you'll get an above view of this thin waterfall. If it hasn't rained much, there may not be any waterfall at all. Behind the observation deck looking back from where you came, a narrow side trail leads up the small hill to a much better view of what you saw on the way up.

Return the way you came back down the steps unless you want to continue past the observation deck to form a longer Keown Falls and Johns Mountain double loop. At the split half way down the steps continue around the Keown Falls loop toward the waterfall. The trail passes behind the falls within an alcove in the rock face. Finish out the hike by passing another unnamed waterfall and eventually returning the the original split where you first started.

Keown Falls Loop.
The trail begins at the information board. There are several side trails leading to picnic areas around the trailhead.

Keown Falls Loop.
This is the only blaze you'll see, but the trail is easy to follow with signs at the intersections.

Keown Falls Loop.
Heading up toward the falls.

Keown Falls Loop.
If going counter-clockwise, you'll get views on the way up to the falls.

Keown Falls Loop.
Halfway up the stone steps you'll come to the intersection of the Keown Falls loop and the connector trail to the Johns Mountain loop. Take the connector trail up to the observation deck before continuing the loop.

Keown Falls Loop.
Keown Falls observation deck. While you do get a view down to the falls, there isn't much view otherwise except in winter.

Keown Falls Loop.
When heading up to the observation deck, turn around and look for the small side trail leading up the hill behind you. This takes you to the best view along this loop.

Keown Falls Loop.
The best view is from a small side trail leading up the hill behind the observation deck.

Keown Falls Loop.
Heading down to Keown Falls.

Keown Falls Loop.
The trail navigates behind Keown Falls. There are several places where the trail goes directly under dripping water.

Keown Falls Loop.
Second waterfall along the way back down if heading counter-clockwise.

Elevation Map Length (miles) by Elevation (feet)

Slope Breakdown

Elevation Gain

Elevation Range

Grade Range

Length

Elevation Gain

0 - 250 ft/mi

~ 0 - 5 %

0.2 mi

24 ft

250 - 500 ft/mi

~ 5 - 10 %

0.3 mi

123 ft

500 - 750 ft/mi

~ 10 - 15 %

0.4 mi

215 ft

750 - 1000 ft/mi

~ 15 - 20 %

0.1 mi

107 ft

1000+ ft/mi

~ 20+ %

326 ft

84 ft

Elevation Loss

Elevation Range

Grade Range

Length

Elevation Loss

0 - 250 ft/mi

~ 0 - 5 %

0.2 mi

24 ft

250 - 500 ft/mi

~ 5 - 10 %

0.2 mi

82 ft

500 - 750 ft/mi

~ 10 - 15 %

0.2 mi

103 ft

750 - 1000 ft/mi

~ 15 - 20 %

0.1 mi

117 ft

1000+ ft/mi

~ 20+ %

0.2 mi

225 ft

Terrain Map Click to control map

Details

length1.9 miles

difficulty3.9 Easy

duration1 hour

features Dog Friendly Views Waterfall

trail typeLoop

blazeGreen

elevation gain550 ft.

state Georgia

park/forestChattahoochee-Oconee National Forest

ranger districtConasauga Ranger District
3941 Highway 76
Chatsworth, GA 30705
706-695-6736

parking feeNone

trailhead coordinates 34.613595, -85.08813 (Degree Decimal, DegDec)
N 34°36.82, W 85°5.29 (Degree Minutes, MinDec)
N 34°36'49'', N 34°36'49'' (Degree Minutes Seconds, DMS)

Trailhead Directions

N 34°36.82, W 85°5.29

Google Map It

The road to access the trailhead is gravel but fine for low ground clearance cars.

Parking Capacity

15-20 vehicles.

Notes

Take caution along the wet rocks at the base of the falls.

Nearby Hikes

Keown Falls And Johns Mountain Double Loop

Keown Falls & Johns Mountain Double Loop

James Floyd Upper Lake Loop

1.2 mi

1.1

Similar Hikes

Foster Falls Climber's Loop

Hidden Falls & Window Falls

1.2 mi

3.2

Reviews / Comments

Average Review Rating

4.3 (3)

New Review New Comment

EZHiker-3 years ago

Beautiful Hike, Nice Weather

We did this hike on April 6, and there was still plenty of water in the waterfall. This was a beautiful hike, and the weather was just right (high in the 70s, and no mosquitoes yet). The trail actually goes through a large hollow in the cliff behind the waterfall, and the temperature is noticeably cooler there, with a slight breeze from the waterfall if you stand near it. It's a refreshing, scenic place to stop for a break after the sweaty climb up, and then it's all back downhill from there. If you want to view the the falls from the overlook, it's just a very short walk up some steep stairs from the bottom of the falls, but this isn't part of the main Keown Loop, so you can skip the extra stairs if you're tired. The overlook also connects to the longer Johns Mountain Loop and the rest of the Pinhoti Trail, if you want a longer hike. I would have rated this Easy, but there were a couple places where rivulets of water crossed the trail and made the footing a little trickier, if you didn't want to get your shoes wet or muddy; plus there were two stream crossings on the rocks, which may be a little challenging for inexperienced or less agile hikers. Overall, I highly recommend this hike to anyone that isn't bothered by these minor challenges.

Easy-Medium | Hiked Spring 2021

hikethesouth-4 years ago

Updated Review: Now With Views

The trail has been rerouted slightly since the last time I was here and there are now several open views to go along with this tricking waterfall. It's still cool to go behind the falls but if you're hoping for an impressive waterfall this isn't the hike for you. Easy to navigate and good for pups.

Easy | Hiked Fall 2019

hikethesouth-6 years ago

Better in Winter

This hike has better views in winter. The falls is hit or miss with water flow unless it's after a heavy rain. A good loop on it's own but better when combined with the Johns Mtn loop.

Easy | Hiked Winter 2013

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Disclaimer: Hiking can be dangerous. The information on this site is meant as a guide and represents trail conditions at a given time. Always let someone know where you are going. A basic knowledge of first aid, backcountry navigation, and some common sense are highly encouraged. The difficulty and duration ratings are subjective and will not be representative of everyone's experience.

Disclaimer Disclaimer: Falling off a cliff, drowning in a river, or being eaten by a bear is still a better way to go than dying of a heart attack while sitting in traffic on the way to the office.