Who knew there was such a nice waterfall just 20 minutes from the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport? Bear Creek Falls is the tallest and most significant of the four waterfalls at Cochran Mill Park. About 20 feet high, this waterfall lies along Bear Creek where it slides down a spectacular, sloping rock outcrop into a large pool. 

Bear Creek Falls is the former site of the historic Berry Cochran Mill, constructed in 1870. When a rise in the price of cotton caused the milling business to decline, Berry's son, Berry Jr., modified the mill by installing a 50-kilowatt generator in 1909. The new hydroelectric plant provided the first power to the city of Palmetto, located four miles to the south. The generator powered people's lights at night, while milling continued during the day. 

Just like the Owen Cochran Mill at nearby Little Bear Creek Falls, the Berry Cochran Mill was destroyed by vandals in 1972. Today, the stone mill ruins, including an intact millstone, are found at the base of the falls on the river-right side. Above the falls, Bear Creek pours over the old millpond dam, which remains partly intact. The millrace is long gone, but its supports still stand on the granite rock slab.

Bear Creek Falls is accessed by an easy 0.85-mile hike from the main parking area/trailhead along Cochran Mill Road. The Orange Trail and Green Trail lead to views of the falls along opposite sides of the creek. I find the Orange Trail's views from the south side to show the falls better. The falls can also be reached from the Bear Creek Nature Center.

For detailed directions, see page 404 in Mark Ozboyd's "Waterfalls of Georgia" guidebook.