Amicalola State Park, GA
Hike to the Top of Georgia's Highest Waterfall
by Celeste Lipford and Terry Lipford - last updated on 1/19/2025
This was our first stop on our Blue Ridge Adventure route, pretty much straight north from Sarasota, past Atlanta, 583 miles from our home in Sarasota. Northern Georgia is very pretty, mountains because you are on the southern tier of the Appalachian Mountain Range.
Our trip research revealed to us that the park offers several unique attractions:
- Amicalola Falls: The park is home to the tallest cascading waterfall in the Southeast, standing at 729 feet. Visitors can hike to various viewpoints along well-maintained trails, including a challenging staircase leading directly alongside the falls, offering stunning views.
- Gateway to the Appalachian Trail: Amicalola State Park serves as the starting point for the 8.5-mile approach trail to Springer Mountain, the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. It's a great place for hikers to begin their journey or experience a section of this famous trail.
- Diverse Hiking Trails: Beyond the waterfall and Appalachian Trail access, the park offers a variety of hiking options ranging from easy strolls to more strenuous hikes, allowing visitors to experience the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, dense forests, and scenic overlooks.
- Lodging and Camping: The park has several accommodation options, including the stunning Amicalola Falls Lodge, rustic cabins, and campsites. This makes it an ideal destination for both day trips and extended stays.
- Outdoor Adventure Programs: Amicalola State Park offers a variety of programs, including zip-lining, archery, guided hikes, and survivalist courses, making it a great spot for family-friendly adventure and learning.
Click above Image to view larger Google MapDriving from Sarasota, FL, to Amicalola Falls in North Georgia is a journey that offers more than just a change in scenery; it’s an adventure through diverse landscapes. While the total distance wasn’t the most challenging aspect of the trip, navigating through the bustling city of Atlanta proved to be the most demanding part. Atlanta’s sprawling size and perpetually dense traffic require a sharp focus on both the road conditions and the route itself, as detours and delays can occur at any time.
The journey begins with Florida’s coastal flatlands, marked by palm trees, expansive skies, and a relaxed vibe. As you drive north, the scenery transitions into the rolling hills and agricultural fields of southern Georgia, providing a calming rural backdrop. Approaching North Georgia, the landscape dramatically changes once again, with winding roads, towering trees, and the promise of mountain vistas.
Our arrival at Amicalola Falls was a reward in itself. Nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, the area’s rugged terrain and pristine beauty stand in stark contrast to the starting point in Sarasota. The trip offers a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural shifts, making it as much about the journey as it is about the destination.
How to get to Amicalola Falls State Park? Map
Amicalola Falls State Park is located in Dawsonville, Georgia, and is easily accessible by car. Here's how you can get there:
From Atlanta, GA (Approx. 70 miles, 1.5-hour drive)
- Take GA-400 North: Drive north on GA-400 until it ends at GA-60 in Dahlonega.
- Turn Left onto GA-60: Follow GA-60 and then turn right onto GA-136 West.
- Continue to the Park: Follow the signs for Amicalola Falls State Park.
From Chattanooga, TN (Approx. 80 miles, 1.5-hour drive)
- Take I-75 South: Head south on I-75 to GA-136 East near Resaca.
- Take GA-136 East: Follow GA-136 through Jasper toward Dawsonville.
- Follow Signs: Look for signs directing you to Amicalola Falls State Park.
From Sarasota, FL (Approx. 581 miles, 8.5-hour drive)
- Take I-75 North: North on I-75 to Forsyth County, GA.
- Take GA-9 N, Shoal Creek Rd, GA-136 W, State Rte 342 and GA-52 W to Falls Overlook Parking in Dawson County.
Useful Tips
- Address for GPS: Use 418 Amicalola Falls Lodge Road, Dawsonville, GA 30534.
- Park Fees: There’s a $5 parking fee unless you have a Georgia State Park pass.
- Alternative Transportation: If you're traveling without a car, you'll likely need a rideshare or taxi service to reach the park, as public transport options are limited in the area.
How to have fun in Amicalola Falls State Park?
Amicalola Falls State Park in Georgia is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts and anyone seeking a fun escape in nature. Nestled between Ellijay and Dahlonega, the park offers a bounty of activities that will leave you wanting more. Here's why a visit to Amicalola Falls State Park is a blast:
- Thrilling adventures: Get your adrenaline pumping with the park's Aerial Adventure Park. Soar through the trees on zip lines, challenge yourself on the suspension bridges, and take part in a GPS scavenger hunt. You can also test your archery skills at the 3D Archery Course or learn survival skills in their program.
- Majestic waterfalls: The park's namesake, Amicalola Falls, is the main attraction. Witnessing this cascading beauty, the highest waterfall in Georgia at 729 feet, is an awe-inspiring experience. Hike to the top for a breathtaking view or take theAmicalola Falls Shuttle for easier access.
- Hiking trails galore: Lace up your boots and explore a network of trails catering to all skill levels. The challenging hike to the top of Amicalola Falls offers panoramic views, while shorter, family-friendly trails like Len Foote Hike lead you through scenic forests.
- Unwind in nature: Find a peaceful spot by the cascading water or amidst the lush greenery and reconnect with nature. Have a picnic lunch at one of the designated picnic areas or cozy up by a crackling campfire in the designated fire pits (with a permit).
- Explore the visitor center: Learn all about the park's history, geology, and wildlife at the interactive visitor center. You might even catch a live regional reptile exhibit or a bird of prey demonstration.
Exploring Amicalola Falls State Park Map
Our first day of travel was occupied by the drive from Sarasota, FL to Amicalola Falls, GA. This Park & Lodge is an 829-acre Georgia state park located between Ellijay and Dahlonega in Dawsonville, Georgia. The park's name is derived from a Cherokee language word meaning "tumbling waters". The 429 foot high Falls are the tallest in Georgia
The Southern entrance to the Appalachian Trail can be reached here via the Appalachian Approach Trail an 8 mile trail starting near the Park Visitor Center. It is possible to drive to the Appalachian Trail starting point, but it is all dirt roads, seriously uphill and has very little parking.
Relaxing after a long Drive This pic demonstrates how good it felt to not be driving any further, and how comfortable the temperature was that day. We celebrated our arrival, and then set out to explore the area.
Babbling Brook! This is the stream that was immediately behind our cabin, is a very picturesque setting and the sound the stream made all night long was very relaxing.
Amicalola Falls Park Lodge The Amicalola Falls Park Lodge is located near the top of the falls, so if you were to walk all the way up those stairs, you would arrive here at the lodge. Good restaurant here!
Cabin Privacy was Great! Looking upstream from behind our cabin. You can see the next cabin just beyond the trees. Cabins were placed far enough apart to where noise was not a factor.
Cabin view from the Stream Looking at the rear of our cabin from the stream. You can see what a beautiful setting this is, a lot of trees and lots of shade.
Cabin size was Perfect This is the "bedroom-side" of the cabin, as you can see, this is a good sized cabin and very comfortable.
Amicalola Falls - Lower Falls
Falls Stairway to the Top
It is a hike to the Top!In the left side image the stairs parallel the falls and stream bed all the way up. The walk up those stairs was steep, but worth every step as the views of the stream were nice.
In the right side image, Amicalola Falls stairs do seem to go on forever, much easier going down than it was going up! You get a constant serenade from the water as it cascades down to the bottom of the hill, ending near our cabin.
The hiking trail behind our cabin, which led us to the waterfall stairs
You can see how steep the stairs are, but that is where you have to go to reach the top of the falls
Top of the falls, fantastic view of the waterfall from the observation deck on the stairsScenes around the Park - Lower Falls
Useful Links for Amicalola Falls State Park
- Just Traveling Thru Travel Planning Tips
- Amicalola Falls State Park Lodge Website
- Insiders Guide to Amicalola State Park Site
- Best Trails in Amicalola State Park on the "All Trails" site
- VRBO Search Results list for rentals near Amicalola State Park
- Lodging near Amicalola State Park on the "Expedia" site
- Amazon Search Results list for "Amicalola State Park"
- Youtube Search Results list for "Amicalola State Park, GA"
- Google Search Results list for "resorts in or near Amicalola State Park GA"
- Our Image Gallery for Amicalola Falls State Park
- Wikipedia Article for Amicalola Falls State Park
- Google Image Gallery for Amicalola Falls State Park
- Our Youtube Channel - Come check out our wide range of videos!
- Google Reviews for Amicalola Falls State Park
- The creation of some portions of this page's narrative text were assisted by OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT [Large language model].
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