Amicalola Falls State Park

Amicalola Falls State Park is a scenic highlight in the Smoky Mountains area. We started our hike from the lower parking lot near a small lake, where trout fishing is available. From there, a paved trail leads upward through the forest. Along the way, we spotted a couple of non-venomous snakes basking on rocks—an exciting but harmless encounter. The first observation deck gives you the choice to continue climbing 175 steps to a bridge overlooking the falls. From the bridge, the view opens up beautifully, and you’ll have the option to ascend further—another 625 steps (we counted 631!)—to the very top of the waterfall. The effort is worth it: the summit offers a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains. Despite the climb, the hike felt very manageable and is suitable for most visitors. For those who prefer less walking, it’s also possible to drive directly to various observation points along the route. A well-maintained, flexible park for all types of explorers.

Our journey to the waterfall started at the top and went down the steps! Lots of steps and beautiful scenery! Absolutely worth it! We had so much fun! My kids loved it! Coming up steps offered lots of places to stop and sit to conserve energy and stamina. Even healthy people were struggling! Worth it all the way around 🥰 Best scenic views, $5. Per car, and activity for the win!

Amicalola Falls is nothing short of breathtaking. Whether you're a casual nature lover or an avid hiker, this park offers something for everyone. The views of the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains are absolutely stunning, and the cascading 729-foot waterfall—Georgia’s tallest—is a must-see. What makes this park so special is its accessibility. Older visitors or those with limited mobility can easily enjoy the falls by driving to nearby parking areas and walking short, flat paths to observation decks. For those who want a bit more adventure, there’s the option to hike up the trail and tackle the famous staircase alongside the falls. It’s a challenging climb, but with breaks and determination, most people can conquer it and will be rewarded with incredible views all the way up. The park is also excellent for camping and has well-maintained amenities. The brand-new visitor center is a great addition—modern, clean, and informative, making the entire experience even more welcoming. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful retreat or a fitness challenge surrounded by natural beauty, Amicalola Falls delivers. Highly recommended.

This state park is absolutely beautiful!! With the 3rd tallest waterfall east of the Mississippi River, it stands at over 700 ft tall. And when you get to 1st overlook, its just breathtaking. The park is full of different trails as well as a gorgeous lodge with a restaurant & gift shop. Be sure to go out back of the lodge to see an amazing view of the Georgia mountains, they are spectacular! A must see if you're in the area or as a day trip!!

Amazing views of the waterfalls and atop the mountain. This is a must-see state park. There are 400+ grated metal steps along the waterfall. Some of the tire trails need maintenance. For dog friendliness, there are plenty of other trails that they’ll enjoy with you. The staff was friendly and asked to pet our dog and other dog hikers had good etiquette on the trails and at the inn. Hike or drive to the top to look down at the falls and stop at the inn to get a stellar view of the mountain tops.

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Amicalola Falls State Park, and it was an unforgettable experience. What made it even more special was having my friend as my guide—someone who knows the trails well and brought along his friendly, energetic dog for the adventure. The park itself is breathtaking. The falls are truly a sight to behold—tumbling over 700 feet, they are the tallest cascading waterfall in Georgia. We took our time hiking the trail that leads to the top, stopping often to take in the scenery and enjoy the peaceful sound of rushing water. Having my friend and his dog there added so much to the trip. His knowledge of the area helped us avoid the more crowded paths and discover quieter spots with stunning views. His dog was a great companion too—always excited, always exploring, and keeping the energy high. Whether you're an experienced hiker or just looking for a scenic walk, Amicalola Falls is a perfect destination. It’s even better when shared with good company—both two-legged and four-legged.

Gorgeous!!! To enter the park it costs only $5 for a day pass. The visitor center is well kept up with and has a few interesting things inside. Workers are super helpful and give clear directions. The hike up to the waterfall is not for the weak!!! I consider myself to be in good shape, but by the end of the adventure I was exhausted. The trail starts on a woodsy path, that eventually leads you to a paved sidewalk. However just because it's a sidewalk does not mean it gets easy. After a steep hike up the path, you reach the bottom of the falls. I would also like to add that there are plenty of benches throughout the hike for you to stop and take a rest. After you get to the bottom you can continue the paved path up to the middle part of the waterfall. There you can get a good look of the whole fall, but if you are a dare devil and wish to seek the top, you will have to climb up 175 stairs to the top. I was exhausted, but I still decided to reach the top. I thought I was going to pass out, but let me tell you, the views I had was totally worth it. It was STUNNING!!! After admiring the view and catching my breath I went back down to the mid section and took a rest. I then headed back down, and that was another challenge. My legs were like spaghetti noodles, and by the time I made it down I just wanted to lay right there on the ground. Overall I had an excellent experience, and I would maybe do it again, but not for a long time. Thank you Amicalola Falls State Park for a ONCE in a lifetime experience. Love you!!!

First time camping at Amicalola Falls State Park. We stayed in campsite #23 which was semi secluded, shaded, and big. I did not like the fencing around the site, but understand why it’s there. I would choose #24 next time. The bathrooms were close by, although the showers were not the best we’ve encountered camping. However if you’re camping near the bathrooms on a lower level, be prepared for the bright lights at night and the constant sound of loud fans running 24/7. We hiked the trail to Len Foote Hike In Lodge one morning. It’s a nice trail with some great views but a lot of exposed roots and small stream crossings. Hiking is somewhat limited in the area for non-novice hikers but we managed to do some trails that we liked. Weekends are very busy but by Tuesday it settled into a quiet place.

I visited Amocalola in a particularly rainy Monday and despite that I really enjoyed my time. Parking for the day is $5. I was instructed to go to the visitor center to pay for my parking pass because I was paying by card. Not sure if that was a temporary thing or standard practice. Nonetheless getting my pass was quick and easy plus it gave me a chance to go to the bathroom before starting my hike. The facilities are clean and the staff members are very friendly. There are several different trails at the park. I did the one that takes you from the Visitor Center to the Top of the Falls. It took me about 2 hrs but I was walking very leisurely and stopping to take photos. The first 1/3 of the hike was muddy and rocky terrain and then the rest was either paved or stairs. I'd say it's a moderately difficult hike depending on your views on stairs. The falls are one of the tallest east of the Mississippi so there is a decent amount of ascending that needs to be done to get to the top. There are different parking areas along the trail if you just want to see the falls without working for it. Overall a very nice park and I can imagine it gets packed on warmer and drier days.

LOVE this place. Staff at the gate is always nice and provide helpful info when needed. Grounds are kept clean and inviting.

I love this water falls. You can choose to hike to the top or just go straight to the parking lot to see it from above. Beautiful and nice scenery, especially during Fall.

I can't even count how many times I've visited this park anymore, it's truly one of my favorite state parks to visit towards North GA and it's right within the Chattahoochee National Forest. Such an easy drive up to Northeast Dawsonville, and well worth it. Plus, it's only 8 miles from the Appalachian Trail if you're looking for a longer trek on the AT post waterfall viewing. The 729-foot waterfall is absolutely breathtaking (fun fact: it's the third highest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi River), but I highly recommend taking a walk along some of the other trails around the park too as they are just as beautiful and peaceful. If you're looking to spend the weekend here, you can book out one of their on-site lodges. For my most recent visit, the main trail up to the waterfall was closed, but I am kind of glad it was because it pushed me to go a new way and try out a new trail. I ended up taking the trail just behind the visitor's center all the way up to the very top of the falls (around the stairs). It was about 2-2.5 miles there and you had the option to take the stairs back down but with my husky, I decided it was better to just go back down the same way. Gorgeous weather and beautiful views - a perfect day trip with my furbaby!

You, your camper and the mountains.... Great place just to sit and be within nature. The campground is very steep to get to so be prepared. I love that we were within the park so we were able to see the Falls and hike without having to go far. It gets pitch black at night. There is a laundry room that's very convenient for anyone who needs it, they are pretty clean. Make sure to take enough food as any restaurants are pretty far away from the campground. The host has firewood available for purchase. The playground by the visitors center was nice for our toddler. The views from the falls are worth every step from the bottom. Campsites are very spacious and private from the rest. I'd stay here again without a question. We didn't see or encounter any wildlife while we were here but there were signs everywhere to be aware.

I'm not much of a hiker but my parents were insistent on hiking on their most recent visit to Georgia to see some fall foliage. And holy crap, I thought I'd seen fall foliage before, but nothing quite like mid-November 2021 at Amicalola Falls. It's a dog friendly hike, but there were parts that had stairs that scared my pup due to all the holes so we had to carry her for that portion of the walk. Luckily she's a little one but just an FYI. I'm pretty sure you can walk the entire trail but there are also drivable portions where you can kind of skip a lot of the walking, if I'm not mistaken. STORYTIME: I remember walking past the falls and realized how familiar it looked, even though I had never been here before. And lo and behold, after some light googling, I found that Vampire Diaries scenes were filmed here. DUH! So definitely kind of cool to see the scenes in person too. Definitely recommend checking out North Georgia and Amicalola Falls during the spring or fall!

Beautiful park with beautiful falls. The stairs aren't too bad but definitely a bit of a workout. The paved path is handicap accessible.

A relatively short, beautiful hike with a great payoff! There are a lot of stairs to get to the very top, but you can enjoy the view of the falls without climbing all the way up. A nice family friendly hike!

Such a beautiful place to visit. They have beautiful a visitor center with bathrooms, plenty of hiking trails and of course the falls. You can climb the falls via the steel steps from the bottom all the way to the top or you can take your car to the top and take a short walk to the falls itself.

I went to the falls in December 2022 with my mom. It was when it was freezing and the falls created tunnels of ice and layers of snow. Today I went again as spring is starting to come around and it's a whole new view. Not only that but I tired the zip lining here as well and it was very fun. Highly recommend!

My husband and I have visited the park and hiked up the falls a couple times previously and it is always an enjoyable experience. This year we will able to share the experience with our young son. He gazed in awe at the waterfall and the stream at the top. The Park also offers other fun experiences like zip lining, archery, and playground. We chose to start from the back that the bottom of the falls, hike up the 425 steps to the top of the falls, and back down to our vehicle. There is a lower staircase, but it was closed for repairs. At the top of the falls there are restrooms and a snack shack, which I believe is only open during the spring and summertime. While hiking down the back to the falls we noticed that there was an old pickup truck on the side of the mountain against a tree. We had never noticed this detail before, but wondering the story behind how it got there started a phone conversation between my husband and I. We enjoyed her hike and would definitely visit again. Rating from F to A+++, we give it an A+++!

2nd time here but first time taking the stairs to the very top! It's about 700 steps. We love the nature trails and the beautiful sceneries. We arrived at about 8AM and in my opinion it was the best time to go because there was so many people and hardly any parking around noon.

Make the time during your visit to North Georgia to see a wonderment of water falling from high above bouncing on stratified boulders. This is Amicalola Falls, and it is a state park that requires an entry fee. The roads inside the park are well marked. You can decide to skip the visitor center where you will learn more. We went driving to the very top of the mountain to visit the Lodge. It is a great place for a view. We want to see the wild falls up close, and it is a 1250-foot walkabout from the ADA parking to the viewing bridge. Undaunted, we went hopping down the rubberized pathway. A misty view and behold a white watery shower comes loudly crashing down from the top of the falls to the bridge you are standing on. It is a cooling moment as you rest and now must hike back up the path. Look closely, and you'll see an old rusty vehicle that has rolled down the hill many years ago. Amicalola Falls gave us a feeling of how nature was and still is able to carve its path no matter the obstacle.

Absolutely beautiful. The hikes the water fall the lodge.... I love it all. The views are breathtaking.

What a beautiful site to behold! If you're counting steps this is the place to be. There is a long path to get to the first stage, a set of over 140 stairs to the next and then over 200 to get to the top. But it is beautiful the whole way! Pictures are worth 1000 words... take a look. My boys didn't want to come, but after we were here they didn't want to leave. One disappointment.... People!! People have left all sorts of trash behind! Plastic bottles, food wrappers, a crock, articles of clothing... it's isn't covered up with garbage but you can see it. Have some respect people!! Seriously!!! This is our planet! Our kids planet! We need to leave it better then we found it! To leave your teach behind if this beautiful place... just heart breaking... I loved it here and we will come back again.

We hiked up from the welcome center up to the falls on the east ridge trail! Definitely worth it! We took the stairs down to get more angels of the falls. Also if you take the stairs it takes you to a bridge that crosses over the falls. Well worth it! Heads up they only take cash at the booth for parking. So you have to pay for parking with a card at the welcome center. It was $6 when we went.

A true gem here! The tallest waterfall east of the Mississippi! It's a long hike up and down, but so worth it! There's also a road via vehicle up to the top too

What an amazing trip we had at the park and lodge. The lodge is very pretty with one of the best mountains views I have ever seen. The employees are very friendly and knowledgeable on the area. We spoke with two nice men working with maintenance they told us fun facts on the park. The trip was great and will definitely return.

The waterfall is the reason you come here! The breeze is so nice and the view is spectacular! Since it is the middle of the summer, the heat and humidity can get the best of you so be prepared to drink lots of water and take necessary breaks. There were a handful of people who had to stop while going up the stairs due to this! The bathroom at the very top of the waterfall was absolutely disgusting! No toilet paper, paper all over the floor, the door didn't have a lock, and paper was used to cover the hole!

Tony Noel and I visited Amicalola Falls State Park in June to go hiking. It is a lovely park and the weather was beautiful. We enjoyed hiking and seeing the lovely waterfalls. It was not very crowded and we were traveling right before the weekend, maybe that was the reason. We definitely will go back again when in the area and highly recommend to all.

Calling all campers and hikers!!! If you're in Blueridge Mountain, Georgia... head on over to Amicalola Falls!! It's a strenuous hike, but so worth the beautiful views. This area is known as Bear Country so please read and follow the park rules and stay on the marked paths. This park is a great place to go camping and the waterfall is so beautiful to look at. Hubby and I hiked here and it took us about 30 minutes from start to finish. When we got about halfway up, I did get a little flushed. There are signs up along the way that lets you know the difficulty of the hike and how many steps it takes to get to the top of the waterfall. Keep in mind, this is a strenuous hike. With that being said, I recommend bringing water, dressing in layers, and your hiking gear. If you've got bad knees like myself, expect to feel some strain on your joints. Also, don't forget your camera. You're gonna wanna snap some amazing pictures. And if you're a health fanatic, get your smart watches and keep track of your steps and outdoor workouts. There are other paths you can hike here as well. So it just depends on what you want to do. You can hike just to see the waterfall or you can hike several miles to the cabins on site. Either way, you will enjoy your time here. Amicalola Falls is truly a gem.

I hiked the trails to the water fall and then did the 175 stairs until I got to the bridge/walkway of the waterfall. Overall, it wasn't as bad. If you're a newbie like me, pace yourself, take breaks and take your Gatorade. I did not see a bear on this trip but a few hikers saw one and informed the others. The hike is a pretty popular trail so you won't be alone but always be safe.

Man, the appeal of falling water. It never really gets old, does it? Having made our way to Dawsonville from our rental cabin in Blue Ridge, we packed a picnic basket and saw the tallest waterfall in all of the blessed state of Georgia. Can't really recommend enough; it's a stunner of a park. Our experience was both on foot and (later) in the car. First, we explored the base of the park a bit. There appears to be a great variety of camping and group recreation activities in the complex. After digging into some nice snacks by the parking lot, we headed up the trail by the reflecting pond, around which a few relaxed folks were fishing a bit. The short trail to view the falls starts by that pond, and follows the water upstream through a series of switchbacks. It is completely tree-covered, so there is no problem with the beating sun. However, it is a little steep. For those who may have kids or vulnerable adults, make sure they can deal with the grade of the trail. There is a lower viewing deck that offers some nice benches to take it easy, before either heading back down or trying an additional step trail to get a higher view. We returned to the car. I know, wimps. We drove up the mountain and found the viewing areas to be super, just like those on the bottom. There is a particularly nice viewing bridge at the middle level, that's made of that metal grippy stuff. It's close enough to the falls to get some mist in your eyes. Above all of that, you can drive up to the hotel and lodge, which (check out the website) is super scenic. It's bear country, too - there are warning signs everywhere and I wondered whether I would see one. No such luck. I did see a derelict truck in the woods that apparently belonged to a moonshiner. There is an assortment of trails to get to the falls, but be aware - there really is no getting around the steep climb if you're doing it on foot. If you've got kids, might be better to drive up.

Amicorola falls is an amazing fall. We enjoyed lot. Good views and nice atmosphere.we like Aicorola falls

Absolutely gorgeous hike. This hike can either be a casual walk in the park or one of the most strenuous hikes in Northern Georgia. Luckily, the choice is yours to make. You can park at the bottom of the fall (entry fee is $5 and plenty of parking is available) and walk up about 500 steps worth of stairs to get to the top of the fall. Only takes about half an hour or so if you are healthy with two functional legs. This would definitely take a bit longer for the older folks. Once you get to the top of the fall, take some selfies for your instagram or Facebook, and now you are faced with a decision: either go back down to your car and just live another normal day OR continue on like a champ and carve this hike into your memory. If I drove an hour and a half to this place, I was going to make this hike worth my time. I picked the latter, but little did I expect it to be my most strenuous hike in Northern Georgia to date. If you decide to keep going, you will then hike through the Frosty Mountain via part of the Appalachian Trail. The trail is clearly marked (blue and green at first, then at the intersection follow the green trail). At the end of the hike, you will encounter the Len Foote Hike Inn, which welcomes all hikers with water, lemonade, pastries, and clean bathrooms. You don't have to book a night to access all these amenities, but donations are appreciated. Trust me, you will want to take advantage of all the things that this Inn offers because the whole hike is about 6.5 miles... one way. There are also some inclines, but overall more flat than steep. Round trip was about 13-14 miles in total. We walked about 33,000 steps that day..., definitely my personal record as far as hiking in Georgia is concerned. Overall, Amicalola Falls is a hike that everyone should do if they live in Georgia. But if you choose to be adventurous like me and decide to venture further, this is not a hike for the soft hearted souls. You WILL be worked, but definitely worth the toil if you are looking for a challenge like me.

Excellent State Park. The waterfalls are awesome. The trail/path up is definitely strenuous, but well worth it. My recommendation is to definitely start at the bottom and go up first. We then found a different way down - taking us all the way back the lower parking lot (by the welcome center) where our car was. Several trails up and around the top. From the top, its another 9+ miles to the start of the Appalachian Trail (or southern terminus-whichever way you choose to look at it).

Truly magical place. The fog and gloominess gave it a PNW vibes. We didn't have difficulty of finding parking. We took the stairs to the top of the waterfall and went down the East Ridge Trail. The stairs had pretty good traffic but the Wast Ridge Trail was very quiet. It's recommended to bring a bear spray.

Great place for nature observation and exercise. Falls are beautiful and a staircase that goes from the bottom to the top.

This is a must see Georgia gem! It's one of the best state parks that we have. That being said, it can get really busy, ESPECIALLY on the weekends. If you live in the state of Georgia, I would visit on a weekday. It's not an easy hike but it's well worth it.

This place was such a gem! The entrance fee is only $5 and we came right as it opened. It was rainy and we were basically the only ones there so that was nice. We just parked at the first parking lot we saw, which overlooked a little lake and that led to a path. The pavement was quite steep but the view was beautiful along the way. Then we got to some stairs and got to the second level where we could see the waterfall straight on. There is also a third level but we didn't go up since it was closed for construction I think I would definitely stop by if you want to see a waterfall but keep in mind the trail to the stairs is a little steep and strenuous but definitely worth it !

Really beautiful and tiring experience. The steps are a lot. About 600 total and 200 if you go from one of the overlooks. Even getting to the steps was an uphill climb. Take your time, pace yourself, and enjoy the views. The lodge was unexpected and lovely. We had drinks on the terrace, and it was gorgeous. There's a restaurant, gift shop, hotel, and meeting rooms. *shoutout to Kerri and Miranda who helped us in the restaurant area The falls were gorgeous from every angle. We did saw them from the bottom, top, and midway point. It just puts things into perspective. If able, we parked one car at the top and one at the bottom. You'll thank me later. Drive up and down to see the falls at different points. My bootay hurts but it was worth it!

Please note... I didn't not visit the lodge, I visited nature, lol! Now that we have that at the way... the views of the water fall is absolutely Gorgeous!!! But let me warn you, these views come with a price tag, lol! Im not much of a hiker but 3 days after this hike, my legs are still sore. However, I work out at the gym daily (so that I can afford to pack on the calories that you will see in my previous reviews) so I love a good burn my legs felt like Jelly coming back down. We went half way to the water fall and it was another 600 steps if you wanted to see the top of the waterfall. Be careful out here because you don't want to get caught slipping trying to get that perfect shot. It was Labor Day weekend and kinda crowded for a hike, but take your time, bring your water or some sort of hydration, and enjoy!

We really enjoy the falls year round. Great place to visit! Pretty falls and some good hiking trails.

Very well laid out state park. Tons of picnic areas, good trails (nice and wide) but you still need to watch your steps for the roots and rocks on some trails. Staircases to the top of Amicalola Falls with tons of resting spots, which you will definitely need! We enjoyed a nice shady picnic after we got back to our parking area. There are several, one saves you part of the all uphill walk to the stairs!

GO GO GO!! Yes ! You have many options!!! Climb the stairs to the falls OR advanced hike (Hike the narrow rugged terrain up to the Falls . At the top it's like mountain goat view -very very steep cliffs very narrow, dirt, trails part you have to be very careful no railing, but the view is spectacular. I don't suggest bringing children toddlers. I think it would be too difficult for them, and you to keep them on the path.) More options You can drive half way or all the way to the top. It's the start of the Appalachian Trail!! The restaurant hotel at the top is great !!! It has overlooking decks SUNSETS AND ROCKING CHAIRS!!! I bring our visitors there all the time . Picnic area at bottom along with a gift shop and your climb starts there. Backpack up small children . You will be climbing A LOT OF STAIRS!! NOT STROLLER FRIENDLY! If your in a wheelchair... or have STROLLERS drive 1/2 way up then roll down a surfaced path to the Falls ! Easy from the middle. IF YOU DRIVE TO THE TOP ... it's all wheelchair and stroller friendly! Do not skip the very top !! That would be a BIG MISTAKE! The restaurant has cocktails food and a spectacular view !!!

Amicalola Falls State Park is a fun way to experience breathtaking scenery and get some exercise, all while socially distancing in North Georgia. My husband and I climbed the stairs to the top of the falls and hiked on several trails. The Appalachian Trail starts here, and that's pretty exciting. The park is very accessible. If you don't want to hike or aren't physically able, you can drive to the top of the falls and view from there. We saw people of all ages hiking, but you'll get a good workout so be prepared. Bring a bottle of water, wear shoes that have grippy soles, and stay on the marked trails. There's a restaurant and gift shop in the lodge at the top, along with a panoramic porch where you can sit and enjoy the scenery. Parking is a nominal $5 fee, and although we only purchased snacks in the shop, everything seemed reasonably priced. Amicalola Falls is a great family attraction. We hiked on a Wednesday, and it was rather busy, so go early to avoid crowds. We hope to hike more of the AT in the future, and this was a good introductory hike and climb.

I love Amicalola Falls State Park in Dawsonville, GA. It's the home of Amicalola Falls, the park's namesake, which is the tallest falls east of the Mississippi River. There are multiple places to view the falls including climbing a staircase that traverses the side from the bottom to the top. The stairs can be rather strenuous, especially if you're not in shape. You can also drive halfway up and park in a small lot. There is a short (around .30 mile) hike to the falls and viewing platforms. And lastly, you can drive to the top of the falls where there are 2 parking lots you can park at and take a short walk over to the top of the falls. My photos were taken in August so the tree foliage didn't allow for a clear view of the falls from the bottom. I have also visited the park in early March and you could clearly see the falls from bottom to top. So keep the season and tree coverage in mind when you visit. It's a "hot spot" during the fall when the leaves start to change colors. There are 2 lodges on property (each very different), along with campgrounds. There is a nice hotel type lodge with a restaurant at the very top of the "hill" you drive up. This lodge has a beautiful back patio area that was renovated a few years ago. It offers stunning views and chairs to relax and take it all in. You do not have to stay at the lodge to enjoy the patio or dine in the restaurant. The restaurant does get busy on busy days at the park and holidays. I believe you can make reservations and I do suggest you call ahead if you plan to dine at the restaurant to make sure they'll be open and if they'll be serving off the menu or buffet style. Then there is a "Hike Inn Lodge" on property. You take the trail by the top of the falls for 4+ miles up to a lodge. The rooms offer bunk beds, bathrooms are shared and the meals are family style. I have not been there but I have heard numerous "good reviews" from friends over the years. A past boss who was in his 80s loved to stay at the Hike Inn every year with his wife and a group of childhood Boy Scout friends. He always said the hike was moderate "but there are a few places that call for some breaks." The park offers numerous programs, events and other special attractions. The staff does an excellent job with diverse and educational programming for the public. Programs do require a per person fee which varies depending on the program. The park also has a daily parking fee of $5, or just buy an annual Georgia State Parks or Friends of Georgia State Parks pass for $50-65. There are higher levels of annual membership that even come with free campsites or golf. The annual pass is my go-to as I LOVE visiting all the diverse and beautiful parks Georgia has to offer. The park is in the mountains and signage will remind you to be bear aware. Especially in spring and summer, visitors should be aware of their surroundings. I've been in both spring and summer on days when it was very crowded on a weekend and barely anyone there during the week. I did not see bears either time. When I visited the new Visitor Center was under construction. I made note to come back to see it's outcome. It's location is feet from the start of the Appalachian Trail (AT). I also had a hurt knee that was in a brace and I had crutches. Needless to say I was not hiking on this particular visit, although I am an avid hiker. I found the ease of being able to access the falls and the lodge's patio inviting and easy. Accessibility has not always been on my mind but lately it has been so I want to encourage others who may have some current mobility issues to allow yourself the opportunity to view these locations. Our state parks are becoming more and more ADA accessible. The doors to the lodge are automatic, the lobby is open, and the patio is accessible with a wheelchair. I did not have a handicap parking tag but the parking lot is very close to the lodge doors and the paths were very easy to navigate. If you have questions about the park I suggest visiting the parks website which can be located at gastateparks.org or call the Visitors Center.

Be prepared to go up a lot of stairs to reach the top. You could also park at the top to avoid walking. Beautiful view and couldn't recommend enough

Great place to hike if you are in the Atlanta area and want to get out of the city. Not a bad drive to the state park. The state park has RV and camping grounds. You can either hike up to the falls or drive up. Maps of grounds are located in the visitor center. Restrooms were decent. Plenty of parking spots in different areas of the park. There is a $5 entrance fee for a vehicle. Great photo ops on the steps with the waterfall. Trail path is easy to walk a bit of incline. Also steps weren't too bad if you take your time. Highly suggest this place for a nice hike!

Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge is a Georgia state park located between Ellijay and Dahlonega in Dawsonville, Georgia. The waterfall is 729 feet making it the highest in Georgia, so you can already tell how magnificent the views are. From the parking lot everyone can follow the marked signs to the base of the falls. i love how everything is well marked so it isn't confusing for anyone. The first stop is the bridge where you can have an up close and personal view of the falls from the bottom. We decided to climb all the stairs, but there is an option to just drive to the top making it very accessible for everyone. There is plenty of accommodations as well. There is cabin rentals, RV & Tent campsites, but I'd suggest staying at the Lodge for a better view. Entrance is $5 and there is plenty of parking everywhere. It can get very crowded so I'd suggest avoiding the weekends if you want to practice social distancing. In general this is a great destination, perfect for families and pets are permitted as well! ESPAÑOL Amicalola Falls State Park & ​​Lodge es un parque estatal de Georgia ubicado entre Ellijay y Dahlonega en Dawsonville, Georgia. La cascada mide 218 metros, lo que la convierte en la más alta de Georgia, por lo que ya puede saber lo magníficas que son las vistas. Desde el estacionamiento, todos pueden seguir las señales marcadas hasta la base de las cataratas. Me encanta cómo todo está bien marcado para que no sea confuso para nadie. La primera parada es el puente donde puede tener una vista cercana y personal de las cataratas desde el fondo. Decidimos subir todas las escaleras, pero existe la opción de conducir hasta la cima, lo que lo hace muy accesible para todos. También hay muchos alojamientos. Hay alquiler de cabañas, campamentos de RV y tiendas de campaña, pero yo sugiero quedarse en el Lodge para una mejor vista. La entrada cuesta $5 y hay mucho estacionamiento en todas partes. Puede haber mucha gente, así que te sugiero que evites los fines de semana si quieres practicar el distanciamiento social. En general, este es un gran destino, perfecto para familias y también se permiten mascotas.

The Lodge is only serving a buffet now, so here we go. The green salad and the items to put on it are as good as any I have ever seen. However, the fried pollack was only fair, the biscuits were pretty good but not prize winning. The white chili really was more of a bean soup with very little chili or flavor. The chocolate cake was pretty good. The waitress was super. Overall I would recommend driving to Dawson Springs and taking your chances.

This State Park has some of the most amazing views I've seen in Georgia! I was surprised to see how many people were here. When you enter the park, there's a $5 fee at the gate, cash only (well worth it). We parked at the bottom of the Falls and walked all the way up! It's about 49 flights to get to the top. As we walked up these stairs, the views were breathtaking! There's a number of falls to see as you walk up and many beautiful spots for pictures and selfies! It took about 30 minutes to walk up it completely which wasn't bad at all. I recommend taking a large water bottle and a snack and bring the whole family. I absolutely loved it here and certainly recommend anyone of any age to come visit. We saw people of all ages walking up the Stairs. It's a great workout with a magnificent view!

Due to covid 19, we are being very cautious about social distancing. We decided to spend a day hiking at Amicalola Falls. The waterfall is beautiful, hiking trails are okay. To be fair, we only hiked about 1 or 2 trails but the waterfall is worth the two hour drive! We did a pretty good job social distancing while at the park. They had signs making us aware to stay within six feet. After our hike, we decided to eat our packed lunch and review a book sitting outside of the hotel on one of the benches. Worth the drive!

This park has a variety of views and walking lengths. You can pick to take Short walk with minimal stairs or walk 652 stairs to the bridge. We chose 652 to suspension bridge and it was worth it. All ages and levels of fitness can enjoy this beautiful park.. Lots of places to picnic, stop and take good selfies. Right now you can see so much with the naked trees. Great views of the river and falls. Dogs are welcome in most areas. Don't miss going to learn about the area, history and wildlife. Restrooms are clean. Plenty of parking.

The Amicalola Falls hike was a perfect little day hike for my husband and I! It had snowed the night before, and the views from the top of the falls were chilly but so beautiful! We are both moderately fit, the 600+ stairs were strenuous but manageable! If you bring plenty of water, pace yourself and take your time while hiking you will have a great experience! If you are unable to/want to avoid the hike to the top of the falls, there is a parking lot at the top of the falls that allows for access to the overlook. Some notes: -The park has a $5 entrance fee per vehicle -The stair steps are not dog-friendly as they are made of metal grid and would likely hurt their paws, but as another reviewer said, dog hiking boots may solve this problem -the Visitors Center at the entrance to the park has a neat little reptile display with live snakes and some educational points about the AT- worth the visit! -parking is free but don't park at the visitor's center for hiking as the spaces have a 30 minute limit -it took my husband and I around an hour to ascend the trail/steps, take time at the top snapping some photos and enjoying the view, and then descending!

Gorgeous falls!!! These falls are located at one end of the 2160 mile Appalachian Trail. There's a short trail (about 0.25 mile each way) to the bridge at the midpoint of the falls from the parking lot. The trail is covered with compressed, recycled tires. So worth the $5 day use fee to enter the park. There are plenty of hiking trails to explore as well, ranging from 'easy' to 'strenuous' levels. The lodge is at the top. It also has gorgeous views of the Appalachian mountains from the balcony in the back. There's a restaurant and gift shop as well. Would highly recommend, for the views alone!

This is one of my favorite hikes that is only about an hour and a half drive from Atlanta. This fall is also listed as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of GA. I hiked this trail with a friend early on a Saturday morning. If you want to avoid large crowds, I would suggest an early arrival. As we were descending, the best photo op locations were crowded with guests. I was thankful that we got an early start. The hike is not for the faint of heart. There are ample stairs to get to the top of the falls. You will get a good workout! If you are in fairly decent shape, you will make it. An extra bonus is the breathtaking view from the lodge on site. Once you make it to the top the lodge will welcome you with open arms. If you go onto the patio you will be amazed at the panoramic view! The "Tumbling Waters" is worth the short drive. I can't wait to check it out again this fall!

Absolutely beautiful! The trek it's not for the faint hearted but it is absolutely worth it once you get to the falls. It's nothing like you have ever seen or could imagine! Tip: purchase hiking sticks and very sturdy shoes because you will encounter some rocks and gravel!

Been trying to get out more and do things on my own, and this was a great first solo hike. The park only cost $5, and navigating there allowed me to drive through beautiful and fun windy roads. I parked near the visitor center and took the creek trail towards the falls--the trails was well marked and easy to follow. After arriving at the base of the falls, there is a zig-zagged paved road alongside the falls. It's pretty steep, but there are plenty of places to rest along the way. About 20 minutes later (I would give distance, but I am terrible at estimating those), there is an awesome deck where you can stare up at the falls, and then there are stairs that go up to another viewing platform and another set of stairs that go all the way up to the top of the falls. I didn't go this way, but I also heard in the visitor's center that if you turn left after entering the park (so, turning left on the road across from the visitor's center), there is a paved road that goes to the west ridge parking lot. From there, it's a really path (around .3 miles, according to the map), and ADA accessible.