If you enjoy hiking and spending time in nature, Amicalola Falls State Park is a must see for individuals and families looking for respite from busy lives.
Location
Amicalola Falls State Park is located in Dawsonville, Georgia in the North Georgia mountains. Located approximately ninety minutes north of Atlanta, it makes a great day trip. For those living in the communities of Bent Tree or Big Canoe Georgia, it's actually within thirty minutes.
The Waterfall
The Amicalola Falls State Park consists of 829 acres of gorgeous lush green forests with the waterfall being the main attraction for most visitors. The waterfall is 729 feet tall, and at that height is the highest waterfall east of the Mississippi River. Although the falls are not extremely wide, they make up for this in their height.
Visitors to the park can get a view of the falls from three places:
- At the top via a very steep set of stairs
- From the middle via that same set of stairs
- From the bottom, at which point there is a reflecting pool of water which attracts fishing enthusiasts
Below is a picture of the falls with the beginning of the falls in the very top of the picture, barely seen through the break in the trees, and the bottom of the falls which end in a reflecting pool in the foreground.
The Visitor's Center
When first entering the park, visitors pay a five dollar parking fee. Just after the entrance to the park on the right is the Visitor's Center. A stop at the Visitor's Center is highly recommended because you can find park maps and gifts there, but also a very interesting and kid friendly snake display area. Volunteers are on hand to discuss various types of wildlife, including snakes, which visitors may encounter at the park. There is also an Appalachian Trail display inside the Visitor's center. The end of the Appalachian trail is accessible from the park, at the top of Springer Mountain.
After leaving the Visitor's Center, the choice is straight ahead to the bottom of the falls and the fishing pool, or taking the road up to the top of the mountain where the falls are at their highest peak. The views from the top are absolutely amazing. A viewing platform over the beginning of the falls allows visitors to see for miles. The mountain vistas are breath taking. especially on a clear day. Here's the view from the top of the falls:
Activities
The Amicalola Falls State Park is beautiful and natural, and the plan is to keep it that way so there are no big attractions for children here other than the falls, forests and mountains. It's the perfect place to bring a lunch and just enjoy nature at its finest. Activities at the park include:
- Hiking
- Photography opportunities
- Trout Fishing
- Picnicking
- A Playground
- Geocaching
There are picnic tables at the bottom and the top of the falls near a playground and the Visitor's Center. There are also picnic shelters and a group shelter which can be reserved in advance. For those wanting a bit more sophistication during their meal, there is a restaurant inside a lodge near the top of the falls.
Overnight Accommodations
Anyone wanting to spend more than just one day in the park, can take advantage of numerous overnight facilities. These include:
- The Amicalola Falls Lodge, a fifty-seven room updated lodge
- Twenty-five campsites which include sites for tents and RVs
- Fourteen Cottages
- Fourteen Cabins
- The Hike Inn, a twenty room facility which is a five mile hike into the mountains through the woods
Reservations are recommended for any of the overnight accommodations as they can fill up fast. This is especially true during fall foliage season each year.
Amicalola Falls State Park is the perfect place to visit for a day out in nature whether it be for fishing, hiking through the forest, enjoying a picnic by a stream or photographing the beautiful waterfall. Once you go, you will want to return again and again to enjoy one of the most beautiful parks the state of Georgia has to offer.
Rosemarie Heindel
Harry Norman Realty
Cell: 404-861-1857
Office: 770-893-2400
Rosemarie.heindel@harrynorman.com
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