In the Georgia Pines
Named after the breathtaking waterfalls in the nearby State Park, High Falls Lake sits tucked away in the dense Georgia pines of Monroe County. The 650 acres and 22 miles of shoreline are noted for their pristine waters and excellent largemouth bass fishing.
Essentials Near High Falls Lake
For essentials like groceries, pharmacies, etc, the city of Jackson is just 20 minutes away from High Falls Lake. Jackson additionally has Wellstar Sylvan Grove hospital for medical needs. The Atlanta International Airport is about an hour away if you need to fly.
From Industry to Nature
The gorgeous waterfalls from which High Falls Lake and State Park get their name were formed by the Towaliga River. At the beginning of the 1800s, a settlement sprung up in the area after two small dams were built at the Falls. The dams provided energy for farmers to process their crops. Soon after, sawmills and grist mills began to turn the town into a booming industrial center. In a short time, however, a major railroad chose Jackson as the location of a railroad destination over the town of High Falls. This made the settlement a ghost town almost overnight, as the industries moved out of the town.
Today, only a few small ruins remain of the former town. However, life soon returned to the Falls when the Towaliga Power Company built a larger dam across the falls. As a result of the dam’s construction, water flooded the area and created High Falls Lake. Ownership of the dam changed hands twice, eventually coming under the control of the Georgia Power Company. Later, the land was donated and handed over to Georgia’s State Park Department. The lake and park are enjoyed by many today for their excellent recreational activities and breathtaking views.
Georgia’s Best Fishing and Camping
While at High Falls Lake, anglers can experience some of Georgia’s best largemouth bass fishing. In fact, almost a third of the largemouth population is over 15 inches, ranking near the top of major reservoirs in the state! Anglers have the most success around areas with downed trees and point bars, including Buck Creek and Watkin’s Bottom. The lake is also a great spot to look for catfish, with crystal-clear shallow water. Channel catfish are the amplest here, with plenty weighing in over five pounds. Anglers looking for catfish have success with cut shad while drift fishing deep holes and channel bends.
Another popular activity around High Falls Lake is the High Falls State Park. At the park, visitors can hike along the shoreline to the remains of the dam and other ruins of the old town. The park also has trails leading to the stunning waterfalls the park and lake are named after. In addition to hiking, High Falls State Park has some of the best camping in the area. Campers can set up their tents in one of the many spacious campgrounds, or stay in one of the lakeside yurts. The yurts are a unique circular enclosure made of wood and canvas, and come with a deck, picnic table, grill/fire ring, and furniture!
High Falls Lake: A Wooded Escape
High Falls Lake offers a remote lake experience while not being too far away from the city. It makes the perfect home for those who love to spend time outdoors and explore nature!