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Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge
Categories: Active Life Parks Hotels & Travel Campgrounds Parks, Campgrounds [Edit]
418 Amicalola Falls State Park RoadDawsonville, GA 30534
(706) 265-4703
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
22 reviews for Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge
22 reviews in English
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Review from Scott W.
Kennesaw, GA
3/24/2012
Rode up here today for the first time. The views were spectacular from pretty much any part of the road or trails you were on. The staff inside were very friendly. When we were there they were giving talks about the black vulture and owls. The prices were very moderate inside for snack...after you've been hiking you need food & drink. Bring your camera because the opportunity to take pictures should be taken full advantage of. The stairs around the waterfall were very well maintained. I was sad to see the litter on the sides of the falls by people. I'll never understand when you have something this spectacular that they can't just carry out their freaking trash.
I will be going back again to enjoy the views and serenity soon. -
Review from Teresa L.
Atlanta, GA
4/16/2012
We took a motorcycle ride to the lodge and stayed for the weekend. On the first day, we spent most of the day on the motorcycle enjoying the gorgeous weather. On the second day we took the amazing 10 mile round trip hike from the Lodge to Hike Inn and back. The park is amazingly beautiful. The mountain views are so beautiful that pictures could never do them justice. The park definitely deserves a solid 5 stars.
I'm deducting one star for the condition of the room we stayed in. If I were reviewing the room alone, I would probably give it 2 stars. The curtains were literally falling apart. The room was very dated and in need of serious improvements. The bed was comfortable though. The view from our room was spectacular. We liked to open the windows for the fresh air, but one of the latches on the windows was broken. For a total of nearly $150 a night, the rooms should be updated. The price does include a decent breakfast buffet, so that is about $20 saved. Parking is only $5.00 for the entire visit. Wireless internet is free and very good, which is amazing since it was impossible to have a good cell phone connection in the Lodge. I had to walk outside to make calls and I use Verizon. My friend couldn't use his Sprint phone at all. We only used the room to sleep and bathe, so it was sufficient for that. I definitely wouldn't want to hang out in the room though.
The Maple Restaurant in the Lodge is good. I am reviewing it separately. -
Review from Janet B.
11/27/2011 2 photos
This is where many thru-hikers start their arduous 6-8 month journey up the Appalachian Trail. This is also where I went for a half day to shake off my Thanksgiving food coma. As another reviewer said, Amicalola really is what you make of it.
The Park looked awkward and bare during this time of the year, i.e. late fall. It was in that in-between phase where the gorgeous autumn leaves have been shed but the snow hasn't come in yet. But I know that 80% of the year, the Park has a killer vista.
The Amicalola Falls is the first thing you come to when you enter the park. You can park at the base and climb up the 300-something stairs, or drive up to the top of it. Many benches and Kodak spots on the way up. I've seen a bunch of kids reach the top, so it's not too bad of a climb.
After checking out the falls, we drove up to the lodge and went onto check out the trails.
Amicalola offers a buffet of trails, ranging in length and difficulty. The most notable ones are
*8 mile hike to the start/southern end of the Appalachian Trail, which is busy busy around March as thru-hikers start their journey to Maine.
*5 mile hike to the famous Len Foote Hike Inn
We did part of the Hike Inn Trail. It was a well-marked, peaceful hike. One way takes 2-3 hours depending on your fitness level and company. We loved our little adventure out there and would love to come back to do the entire trail!
$5 for daily park pass, $50 for annual park pass (for all state parks in Georgia). Go support our state parks! -
Review from Alison F.
7/25/2011
I enjoyed this park. Their visitors center provides lots of information. Their hikes are pleasant (although because the park is small, you will quickly run into parking lots after hiking a mile or less). The steps up to the waterfalls themselves are nicely maintained (although unfortunately, the visitors throw trash off the sides). The waterfall itself is very pretty.
A lot of people bring their dogs, which is great. However, they should be wary of the steps up to the waterfall and the walkway around it because their construction is such that paws can get caught in them. I saw this happen with a huge Doberman who got hurt enough that his owner had to carry him down the stairs. Ouch! :-(
The park is also very kid friendly, with their exhibits, their playground and lots of places for dipping into streams. -
Review from Jamarcus T.
Stone Mountain, GA
Amicalola is a "what you make of it" hike. There are various trails to start from to make it easier or more challenging, depending on how you feel. I've taken friends, dates etc up the main trail, a set of stairs that leads up up to the falls and ultimately to the observation visiting center up top, which I completely recommend you go visit, especially when the leaves change colors. It's a stunning view, and there are rocking chairs up top for you to chill at.
For those who don't feel like doing the work, or if you have health issues, you can also simply drive to the top and still catch the view.
I highly recommend itListed in: Fun dates
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Review from bubba g.
Atlanta, GA
5/4/2010
This place is awesome. Note that there is an honor charge for parking, but it's free on Wednesdays. You can hike up the trail to the falls from the bottom, which is fun but pretty tiring. And, when you get to the top, you can learn that it's possible to drive straight there. Then you reflect on how far away your car is and say, oh well. The falls are huge and gorgeous, with lots of steps up and down so you can really see from all views. It's wonderful, a North GA gem.
Note: If you have issues with heights, practice your zen deep breathing before you go or just drive to the top. The metal and wood parts of the trail that lead up and down the top of the falls are perfectly safe and sturdy, but you can see through most parts (the metal is mesh-type and you can see the ground below through wood steps). I'm good with heights, but it weirded me out a little. But it's absolutely safe, absolutely lovely, and absolutely worth doing. -
Review from Gustavo A. L.
Orlando, FL
2/16/2010
Stunning ! To be able to get so close to the falls and feel the power of the water as it goes over the mountain is simple something that needs to be experienced. This place is probably best known as the start of the famous Appalachian trail which has been on the news lately because of Mark Sandford's claim that he was hiking the well known trail when he was really in Argentina.
We went in December right before Christmas and it was beautiful, ironically the lack of foliage during this time of the year allows for a more unobstructed view of the falls and the park.
Interestingly enough, there is a plaque that marks a spot where you can still see the damage created when Hurricane Opal ... That's right !! Hurricane in North Georgia - passed through and leveled trees.
Hiking here is something that needs to be experienced, the terrain offers some challenging changes which makes it for a more interactive hike and makes you feel more alive especially when you get winded after a particularly strenuous climb.
This place highlights the wonderful places and parks we have in this beautiful country and it must be visited and enjoyed.Listed in: Lodging, Georgia Mountains
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Review from Alison B.
12/29/2008
Beautiful state park only an hour and a half north of Atlanta which boasts they they are home to the "tallest cascading waterfalls east of the Mississippi River" at 729 feet.
To best enjoy the falls, you can either drive to a designated lot and park and walk UP the 425 winding / steep metal stairs which curve up adjacent to the falls or you can park near the Lodge and stroll down to the top of the falls, take some awe-inspiring pictures there and walk down the stairs, though it is a LONG walk if you choose to walk up the road rather than climb the stairs back up!
There are also a number of day hiking trails and campsites at the park as well, though I have not seen much of them in person...
The Lodge has its own yelp reviews, so I won't go in to many details here, but I would just suggest that visitors at least check it out even if you are not staying or eating there as there are free Nature Shows in the lobby and I recall that the bird walks etc depart from the Lodge during their scheduled days and times. -
Review from Jen C.
8/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
I camped out here last weekend and I cannot say more good things about the campsite management.
The staff at the visitors center were super helpful in trip planning. I had to add a campsite (then subtract one, then add it again...) and they were so good about it! When we got there, they were totally fine about us moving picnic tables/ parking too many cars at the camp site, etc. The ranger at the time even came by and brought his dogs to visit our dogs!
The camp itself was very typical - gravel tent sites, a picnic table, a firepit (with grill attached), as well as another charcoal grill. They had water and electric at the campsite and a comfort station that had bathrooms, showers, and washer/dryers!! This is definitely comfort camping!
There were some really nice hikes, and we were able to tailor them to fit all different time/ distance requirements we had. Warning: if you hike the 600 steps down to the base of the falls, the return 600 steps are a whole lot less fun.
Each night at the site was $25, plus a $5 parking pass for each car.
Highly recommended :) -
Review from Carla L.
2/22/2010
Breathtaking, just absolutely breathtaking. I can't even begin to describe how gorgeous this Park is and how envious I am of those who live close by. This is nature at its best, vast and why they call it "America the Beautiful".
We had a wonderful time exploring the trails, venturing through the woods, it was kind of cold but still gorgeous. We spent a few hours wandering about. We didn't stay longer than that but it was definitely a magical time. Can't wait to come back to Georgia!Listed in: Ellijay, Georga
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Review from Dennis L.
Oakwood, GA
5/20/2010
Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge...
This place rocks. Without a doubt one of my favorite Georgia State Parks. There is SO much to do and see here - even if you never even see the falls!
First off - the hiking. Awesome. Not only are there trails for everybody - this is very close to Springer Mountain - the start of the Appalachian Trail. Very cool.
Visitor Center is great - lots of information and a pretty good little gift shop if you want a souvenir.
The falls - spectacular. Some of the best photography you can imagine. This place is beautiful.
Len Foote Hike Inn - check this place out on the internet - very cool adventure. You have to hike to it - requires reservations.
The Lodge - fantastic place to stay - we LOVE the restaurant. Whether you are staying as a guest at the Lodge or just drive up for lunch or dinner - you really should check out the restaurant and the view it gives you.
LOVE this place. -
Review from Caitlin S.
Atlanta, GA
8/30/2009 1 photo
So far, this is my absolute favorite place to hike in Georgia. It's absolutely beautiful here!
When we arrived we went straight to the visitor center to figure out where we were going and what trail we were going to take. After talking to an extremely helpful park guide we decided on a route that would take us a mile out with views of the waterfalls going up and a mile back with views of the mountains going down. The first half of the trail to the reflecting pool was fairly easy. The reflecting pool was full of large tadpoles and surrounded by visitors. The second half of the hike was a bit more grueling with something like 600-stairs to climb up. There was an overlook with a bridge that crossed the waterfalls where you were able to see the falls descending. At the top you could not only look down at the falls but also out at all the mountain ranges. It's absolutely stunning!
As a visitor you're able to drive up to the top of the mountain and enjoy the views or hike down from there and back up the trail.
The hike down was all downhill and surprisingly difficult because of the gravel trail which was a bit unstable.
I adore this park and I recommend it for anyone who wants to get out of the city for a bit.Listed in: All things running, cycling,…
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Review from Erik P.
Ball Ground, GA
5/4/2010
I'm going to start this review by saying that I am completely insane. A couple of months ago, I decided that it was time to propose to my girlfriend, and that I wanted to do it somewhere out in nature, as opposed to doing the usual fancy dinner sort of thing. About a month and a half ago, a friend suggested a trip to Amicalola to my girlfriend, and I decided that this would be the perfect spot to ask her.
Since then, I was plotting with this friend of mine to set up the trip and to figure out where and how to do the proposal itself. To that end, the friend and I came up here on Saturday the 24th of April, dodging storms all the way. We got out onto the trail to some light drizzle, and about half way to the top, the skies opened up and the lightning started getting nuts. We decided that, notwithstanding the large numbers of trees all around us, it would probably be best to get back into some sort of shelter as opposed to continuing up the trail. We got back to the visitor's center, completely soaked. We then drove to the top where we looked around and checked the weather, determining that the storms and rain wasn't going to be stopping anytime soon, at which point we gave up and headed home.
The following morning, I came back out. The last time I had been hiking out here (before the previous day) had been back before the falls path took the trail all the way to the top of the falls. I therefore parked at the bottom of the falls walk-up trail and started up to get pictures and look it over, figuring that I would be hiking back down and then drive around to the side lot to be able to access the mid-falls bridge. Imagine my surprise when I found that the trail went all the way to the mid-falls bridge, and, in fact, had a staircase going up to the top of the falls. I suppose once I found that it went to the top, I should have gone back for my walking stick. I didn't. Instead, I continued the rest of the way up. I blame the weather and the scenery. It was so beautiful that I just couldn't turn around and leave.
I came back up last weekend and this time I brought the girlfriend as well. It was foggy and wet, but she very much enjoyed the proposal. I highly recommend the hiking and scenery up here. It was well worth the trip, even if I was rather crazy to be out there in a thunderstorm. -
Review from Michelle K.
Atlanta, GA
9/2/2010 4 photos
Hiked 19.5 miles up and down Springer Mountain with friends and survived to tell the story! The waterfall was the best feature of the entire hike. I wouldn't choose this mountain if you want the "scenic route" perse but on our way down the GREEN trail was definitely more beautiful than the BLUE trail.
The staff at the Visitor Center were awesome. Super friendly and encouraging! The staff at the Hike Inn, halfway up the mountain were also equally pleasant!
Check it out if you're interested in a new place to go hiking! -
Review from Michelle M.
New York, NY
9/1/2010
BEAUTIFUL! Awesome hike!
And do make time to explore the visitor center, they have live snakes which you can hold and a lot more to explore!!
There are 64 state parks in GA too, so check them out! -
Review from Jenn D.
2/14/2010
This is our favorite weekend mountain escape. The trails are fun and the waterfall is gorgeous. The steps to get back to the lodge are a little grueling, but worth it. I know there's an easy way to see the falls without too much climbing as the grandmother and mother in law went to see the falls, but I'm not sure how that's done.
The lodge and the staff are really nice, we like wandering around to all the sitting areas and sitting out back in the dark, listening to the mountain noises. The views from the rooms are just amazing and the rooms themselves are pretty decent. Looking forward to taking our pup up and trying out the cabins one day.
The restaurant is pretty good if you dig on giant southern buffets. The quantity is greater than the quality, but it's still mostly yummy. Brunch on Sunday is recommended. Go early if you want a good dessert though, they go fast!
The lodge is in a dry county - you can get beer and wine at the restaurant, but if you're a whiskey lover or want your own stash stop by city liquor store on the drive in. And be sure to check out the nearby Burt's Farm in the fall. -
Review from Jessica R.
New Orleans, LA
5/13/2011
I decided to hike at this park 2 weeks ago on a Saturday. I took one of the easier routes to the top to view the falls because I was alone. It was a very family oriented park. Lots of dogs and people fishing too! It was very beautiful. There is a $5.00 parking fee. The falls were beautiful! I can't wait to go back!!
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Review from Amanda H.
Dawsonville, GA
5/19/2010 1 photo
Wonderful place!
I would go here with family and friends anytime for fun. The views are awesome, but to see some of the best mountain views you should take the hike up the side paths and stairs. There are A LOT of stairs so be sure you can handle that! If you are afraid of heights I would not take this option because I was getting a little nervous and I am not generally afraid. Go into the welcome center to see an alternate path. There are picnic areas and play grounds at the bottom. There are various outdoor activities that go on throughout the year starting in the welcome center. Fun for adults and kids if your interested learning about the area's features. At the top there is a lodge with a beautiful view of the Blue Ridge Mountains and foothills. The lodge holds dining services for those who may want to eat and a souvenir shop. There are also hiking trails and if you are really gungho you can start the Appalachian Trail to Maine (not advocating!!!) -
Review from Francis M.
Atlanta, GA
8/9/2010
I picked the lodge for convenience in lieu of renting a cabin for my one year anniversary since I would only be staying one night and wanted a place to relax and enjoy my stay.
This was the wrong place to to it.
I'll give it two thumbs up. One for being convenient (it's the only place to stay other than shabby private rentable cabins further out, in a twenty mile radius) and another for the rooms being very clean.
I paid $90 for a one night stay in an average double bed room. The room was outdated, lacked even a mini fridge, and the sink area was inside the main room. Television selections were comprised of about ten blipping channels. The internet was down for the entire weekend, and to top it all off, the restaurant/ bar (choice of $3 Molson Ice, non-alc O'Douls beer, or cheap wine purchased from the cashier station at the front of the restaurant) stopped serving at 8pm. 8pm.
I felt like I had a curfew the entire time I was there. Actually, stranded.
Even the food in the restaurant was terrible. I thought it might be good since I paid $15 for a buffet style dinner. Wrong. The food lacked taste or presentation. I would have rather eaten at a hospital restaurant.
I won't be going back, view or no view. -
Review from Tom N.
6/28/2010
I dig this place especially after a good rain when the falls are raging! This is a wonderful place to TAKE A DRIVE! I have walked a portion of the stairs but usually when I go hiking I don't look for 450 metal stairs to take me to a view I could get in mins of driving. Call me a fatty but oh well. At Tallulah Gorge you are forced to hike for your views you can't take the easy way! I preferred Tallulah as it felt much more rewarding. Amicalola is very beautiful and something I think everybody in GA should experience just realize that those stairs are not a "hike" they are a punishment...
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Review from Virginia G.
Saint Petersburg, FL
7/24/2009
Beautiful lodge! I didnt' stay here but had lunch here and it was so gorgeous I think i'll book it next time. Upon walking in to the lobby the first thing you see is a wall of windows looking out over the Blue Ridge mountains with miles of view. They also have a huge stone fireplace in the lobby they light on cool nights. The dining room had average food, nothing fancy, but the nicest servers around, and a view to die for. They have hotel rooms and from what I hear nice little vacation villas but I didnt' see them. It's definitely a nice place to visit if not stay at.
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Review from Aisha I.
Atlanta, GA
1/1/2011
I come here all the time bringing friends and family and no one has ever been disappointed. While its a bit of a hike up to the fall, its worth it- and I love the stream and the sights along the way. Its a must see, beautiful every single season!
