Visit Amicalola Falls State Park

Life & Arts — By admin on October 16, 2009 at 11:10 am

By Ellen Schofield
Contributing Writer

The Cherokee called it “Tumbling Waters”. Today it’s known as one of Georgia’s Seven Wonders. Set deep in the rolling Blue Ridge Mountains, Amicalola (am-ick-a-lola) Falls is the tallest waterfall east of the Mississippi River, cascading majestically down a steep rock face for 729 feet. Visit, and you’ll wonder why you didn’t come sooner.

State parks are the budget travelers’ dream, offering the most scenic attractions for the benefit of all at an affordable price. Those that offer lodging often have amenities that are on par with a first class hotel, for a price you would expect from an economy hotel. Amicalola Falls State Park is one of the best examples of this. Its visually stunning 56 room lodge, with restaurant and meeting facilities, situated on a precipice overlooking the mountains, gives you the awe inspiring feeling of being on the top of the world.

For a more rustic stay, try out one of the 14 creek side or mountain view cottages, complete with full kitchens. If you’re a camper, choose one of the 25 campsites, where hot showers, flush toilets and laundry facilities are nearby. Come for the day and picnic on one of the 80 picnic tables, while the kids play in one of the 4 playgrounds or practice their fishing in the trout stocked fishing stream.

The park is a hiker’s dream, offering Georgia’s single backcountry inn, the 20 room Len Foote Hike Inn. It’s only accessible by foot, on a moderate 5 mile trail that starts at the top of the waterfall. Try it and you’ll enjoy a wilderness hike that ends with a great meal, a hot shower and a soft bed. Feeling more adventurous? You can begin your trek on the Appalachian Trail, via the Approach Trail, accessible from Len Foote, or the park’s Visitor Center. Or, sample the 12 miles of trails within the park.

If you visit:
<>After passing through the Park Entrance and paying the nominal $5 parking fee*, be sure and stop at the Visitor Center. Here, the friendly staff will patiently answer your questions. The young at heart will enjoy the nature displays, the Appalachian Trail display, the gift shop, and the live snakes in their glass cages. You may even see them up close and personal when one is brought out for show.
<>If you’re in the mood for a good workout, park your car at the parking lot on Little Amicalola Creek, and take the steep trail that includes 175 steps (and lots of resting areas!) to the Falls Overlook. If you’re more in the mood for a meander, take the equally steep, but paved, road from the Visitor Center to the Lodge, park at the West Ridge Spring lot and take the ADA West Ridge Falls Access trail to the same overlook.
<>Park hours are 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM, daily. The address is 418 Amicalola Falls State Park Rd, Dawsonville, GA 30534.
<>From Andrews or Murphy: take US 64 West towards Tennessee. Take a left turn onto NC Spur 60 and another left turn onto GA 60 in Mineral Bluff. At the intersection with US 76, turn right and drive through Blue Ridge. Approaching Ellijay, you will see a sign for Amicalola Falls State Park. Take a left turn here onto GA 52. Follow the signs to the Park. Driving time from Andrews is about two hours, from Murphy, about one and a half hours.
<>From Hayesville: Take NC 69 South to the intersection with US 76. Turn right, staying on US 76 through Young Harris, Blairsville and Blue Ridge. Approaching Ellijay, you will see a sign for Amicalola Falls State Park. Take a left turn here onto GA 52. Follow the signs to the Park. Driving time is about two hours.
*Georgia State Parks also offer an annual pass for $50, which exempts you from paying the daily parking fee. Seniors (age 62+) can get the pass at a 50% discount, and do not have to be Georgia residents. Or, join the “Friends of Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites for additional discounts and benefits.

For more information:  http://www.gastateparks.org/info/amicalola/ |  http://hike-inn.com/default.asp | http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Destination.jsp?id=p-54 |  http://friendsofgastateparks.org/index.html