Amicalola Falls State Park

Amicalola Falls State Park is a 829-acre park in Dawson County near Dawsonville. The highlight of the park is the 729-foot Amicalola Falls, the highest in Georgia and one of the highest in the eastern United States. The name Amicalola is derived from Cherokee word meaning "tumbling waters". In addition to the waterfall, the park is also the unofficial start of the Appalachian Trail with the AT Approach Trail leading 8 miles to Springer Mountain.

Contact Information:

80 Amicalola Falls State Park Road

Dawsonville , GA30534

Phone: (706) 265-4703

GPS: 34.56265,-84.24763

Directions:

Amicalola Falls is located on US-52 between Dahlonega and Ellijay. From Dawsonville, take US-53W for about 2 miles and bear right on GA-183. In about 10 miles, turn right on US-52E and the park entrance will be on the left in 1.5 miles. There is a $5 per vehicle daily fee to access the park and waterfall. The fee is payable at the gate house at the entrance of the park or at self-serve kiosks located in parking lots throughout the park.

Waterfalls:

Amicalola Falls:

At 729 feet, Amicalola Falls is the highest in Georgia as well as the highest cascading waterfall in the eastern United States. There are several different ways to access the waterfall. From the visitor center, hike about one mile on the Appalachian Approach Trail to the falls. The trail is initially easy as it meanders along the creek, but becomes strenuous upon reaching the falls due to the steepness and stairs. The lower observation platform at the base of the falls provides the best place to see the entire waterfall. Further up is a footbridge across the middle of the falls for an up close and personal view of the might waterfall. You can also climb up the West Ridge Staircase to the top of the falls, but you can't see much up here.

Blog Entries:

24-Mar-2014: Amicalola Falls

External Links:

GA State Parks website: http://gastateparks.org/AmicalolaFalls

Amicalola Falls Lodge website: http://www.amicalolafallslodge.com/