Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge

Loved loved this place, so much buzz with hikers and tourist. The short hike up the trail to the falls was so much fun. If you aren’t a semi active person don’t think your going to just breeze up there. Beautiful pictures for your social memories are plentiful! If your hungry go to the lodge.

Great views of a gorgeous waterfall! I’ve been during both the Fall Time and Wintertime, and both were completely different yet great experiences.
It’s the trail I take everyone who comes into to to visit because I know I can guarantee that they’ll enjoy the views.

We loved the lodge, the park and the hike to the falls. The food at the lodge was institutional at best and there are no room frigs to bring your own lunch or nearby restaurants to fuel up (other towns are a 30 minute drive away). My biggest complaint is that the «ADA trail» doesn’t have ramps or other means to keep disabled people/​seniors from falling over the side of the mountain if they take a wrong step or make a wrong move with their wheelchairs. Would not be an issue if it wasn’t advertised as ADA friendly. We still loved our trip.

We stumbled upon this hidden gem hungry having had cookies and terrible coffee for breakfast at our hotel. The hotel is gorgeous and the stunning view simply can’t be believed. The lodge is nestled on top of the mountain with a view into the valley with a landscape of mountains for miles. The restaurant with the amazing view has a buffet and it is surprisingly reasonably priced and great service too. Context is everything and in a rural area where there aren’t a lot of choices, this is a great choice. It would be a great place to stay!

The falls were beautiful. I wanted to go to the top using the stairs and starting all the way at the bottom, but we were pressed for time, and we had a toddler, baby, and an elderly person with us. So after stopping off to look from the bottom, we drove to the middle section and walked out onto the bridge. The old car halfway up the mountain wedged into the trees was cool. Looked up the story behind it and finding out it wasn’t just placed there for looks just added to the coolness factor, although it was sad people died. The falls were breathtaking. And don’t look down when you’re on the bridge lol. You can see right through the floor. Once back in the car, we drove till we were at the top, and then walked out and looked down all the way to back where we had first parked. This was definitely an experience.

Trail Running — I’m a California trail runner on a business trip to Atlanta. I was seeking lots of altitude to run, and natural beauty. I experienced both! The park is beautiful, the trail is rugged but rewarding out of the HQ up to Springer Mountain and back. Be prepared to be on your own for quite a while.
The park HQ area had good exhibits, friendly staff and lots of things I could buy.

I’ve been to Amicalola Falls a few times in the past but never wrote about it until I went back recently. I wish I woke up earlier to go there and find parking because parking is a mess! I had to park all the way on top where the lodge is. There is a trail to lead you to the top of the waterfall. What makes Amicalola Falls unique is there is no «real» hiking trails to get to the waterfall. Instead it’s just a long stairway on the side to get to the middle of the waterfalls, take selfies, and move on. That is very strenuous.
Everyone should visit Amicalola Falls at least once in their lives even if it’s not for hiking cause you can drive to the top and see the view. In Autumn, it’s beautiful because of the colorful leaves. Plus Amicalola Falls is the highest waterfall in Georgia and considered one of the natural wonders of Georgia.

Awesome hike but be aware that this is not for everyone… It is strenuous and no way out unless you hike out so go at your pace. You should take breaks every so often to enjoy the scenery. Take plenty of water (about 4 to 5 water bottles) you won’t drink much going down but if it’s hot you will going up. Make sure your shoes are good for hiking and water shoes if you don’t want them wet. Beautiful area and scenery just be aware that it’s easy to get hurt here… Only way out is your feet, getting carried out or helicopter which is very scary since you are depending on someone else’s balance.

Hands down one of the best places I’ve ever stayed. I would and will stay here again. Kindest attendant staff who went out of their way to make sure we were fed even when checking in just 15 minutes before the restaurant closed. The rooms are beautiful and there’s no way to get a room with a bad view. The breakfast and dinner were truly southern and delicious. The waterfall lookout is just a quick drive or short walk from the hotel entrance and the sights are nothing short of breathtaking. Make sure you fuel up before heading up the mountain and drive carefully.

Very impressive falls.
We were short on time when visiting so we cheated a bit. Rather than climbing the 600+ stairs to view the falls like most folks do, we drove to the ADA parking lot where we were able to take a short path to the falls.
We later drove up to the lodge and spent a few minutes up there.

Absolutely beautiful place! The views you get to experience are breathtaking. If you have it in you make sure you walk up all the stairs to reach the top. It’s worth it! Also makes for very good photographs. The only downside we had was when we were heading towards the lodge nearby for a drink. The port-​a-​potties we passed smelled absolutely foul. However, on our way back that problem was fixed and the bathrooms were cleansed of the stench that originally intoxicated all who walked by… so that was good!

Amicalola Falls State Park with Noël Lori-​Elizabeth Teel​and Tony Vanoy​back in May 2015. I can’t remember the exact date but it was a nice trip and a great day.
Spectacular scenery and hiking trails make this one of Georgia’s most popular state parks. At 729 feet, Amicalola Falls is the tallest cascading waterfall in the Southeast. Visitors have choices on how to best view the tumbling waters, ranging from an accessible pathway to a challenging trail with staircases. Those who tackle the latter can join the park’s Canyon Climbers Club. An 8.5-mile trail leads from the park to Springer Mountain, the southern end of the famous 2,175-mile Appalachian Trail. Numerous other trails provide shorter day hikes.

We found out first hand that if you arrive after dark, it is a bit hard to find your way around. One the sun comes up, the park is quite lovely and the top of the waterfall is easy to find. I do wish the visitor center would open before 9am; we had hoped to get an early start on the Appalachian Trail (approach trail), but wanted to buy a map and register for the trail. In the end, our timing worked out fine but it was a slightly frustrating start to the day.
The campsite behind the visitor center was good for when we arrived back after our section hike, but we would have never been able to find it the first night in the dark (as we had hoped). Luckily, we were able to find our way up to the mountain lodge and they had an available room for the night. The lodge was beautiful and a great place to spend the night. The sunrise view. WOW! I highly recommend if you’re starting the AT, spend a night at the lodge before you start.

Awesome day. Awesome park!
$ 5 per car fee to get in. My family of three adults, one five-​year old and a 11 month old hiked it up to the very top. We had the little one strapped to us with a Bjorn harness.
Started off on the Creek Trail. Probably bit off more than we should with the kids, but we got through it to the Reflection Pond. The ascent from there is VERY beautiful and starts with a paved trail with some steep inclines. You get to the stairs that take you to the Falls. Signs indicate strenuous workout. 125 stairs to Falls bridge. Absolutely gorgeous views.
Something like 475 stairs to get to top of Falls. My family and five-​year old did it with some pacing. Highly recommended. I could easily do this a couple times a year.

Little over an hour drive to a hidden oasis gem in the North GA mountains. Oh yeah, this was so what I needed to get away from the city. Took my dogs hiking with me for Labor Day weekend.
Perfect weather for a road trip! We had such an awesome time! Yes, my thighs were talking to me climbing those stairs to the viewing bridge for the falls, but it was sooo worth it!
I am an avid nature lover and any chance I can get to get outside and take in the scenery, fresh air and shoot some awesome shots… I’m there!

I think everyone in Atlanta needs to visit this place at least once! It is beautiful! Although the hike is a little strenous for people who haven’t worked out in a while, if you so slow and steady, it might be do-​able. Just make sure to tell them that there are probably about 700 steps of stairs and in the beginning it is very steep. I thought it was more of a workout than Stone Mountain, but my friends disagree. Throughout the journey, you can see views of the falls, but once you get to the top it’s so worth it! Awesome view. You don’t have to go all the way to the top either, to get the full effect. Once you get to the top, there is a restaurant/​hotel you can go hang out and get some air and picnic tables if you brought food.

I stayed here with my family over the weekend in one of the cottages, and had a pretty nice time. Given the short distance from Atlanta (about 90 minutes, but would be less if you’re coming from OTP north), it’s a quick, easy getaway.
GROUNDS: The State Park itself has a nice little network of trails of varying difficulty. They don’t have a ton of acreage, but they’ve done a good job of making the most of it. The waterfall itself is clearly the main event. If you have limited time at the park, the thing to do is leave your car either at the top or the base of the falls and then walk the stairs (about 600 steps one way) up and back. It’s definitely some work physically, but the view from the bridge about ¹⁄₃ of the way up is definitely worth it. If you have more time, you can hike on the AT approach trail which leaves the state park. Springer Mountain (the southern terminus of the AT) is a 5 – 6 hr hike one way, so it’s possible to do a round trip in one – albeit long – day.
LODGING: The lodge is near the top of the falls and has a number of hotel style rooms and the Maple restaurant with gorgeous sweeping views overlooking the valley. They also have about a dozen cottages, like the one we stayed in. Our particular cottage had 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 fireplaces, full kitchen, a TV, a back porch and a nice sized backyard with a grill. The lodging itself is pretty outdated and some of the furniture in our cottage had some serious wear and tear. However, the state park is in the midst of a $ 5 million renovation project, so hopefully they will get the much needed modern look they seem to be going after.
STAFF: Everyone we encountered was pretty friendly and helpful. We had some car trouble, so they lent us a battery charging kit for the time of our stay. One of the rangers had brought some snakes and a stuffed bear to the lobby of the lodge one afternoon and we had a friendly chat about the wildlife. They seem to make an effort to put on programming that might appeal to guests, although it could probably be better advertised. We didn’t take advantage of any of it, but its nice to know that the staff is engaged and interested in making the guests experience as enjoyable as possible.

absolutely LOVED the hike. My brother & I decided to drive up to the first parking lot, hike up a really short 0.3 mi to the middle of the beauuutiful waterfall (great for a photo op & selfie. just don’t drop your phone!) & then took the stairs up to the top of the fountain. The stairs up are considered a «strenuous» 475 steps, but I had a lot of fun jogging up the steps. Great workout if you’re slightly in shape. My brother did get a little worn out and tired walking up, but there are plenty of benches & stops en route. We then decided to take the Appalachian Approach Trail down (another 175 steps down from the top) where we found more serene streams, the Reflection Pool, and detoured across Mt. Laurel Loop to Spring Trail back to the parking lot. Def a fun hike in the woods with lots of nature to enjoy– moderate difficulty & pretty safe.
$ 5 parking fee/​vehicle
Bring insect repellent if you’re prone to getting bit!- also available at the visitor center

Absolutely beautiful!
Whether you’re vacationing in the Blue Ridge, randomly passing through or making a day trip from Atlanta… you need to go here! The waterfall and the lodge alike are stunning.
As mentioned in a previous review, Amicalola Falls is one of the seven natural wonders of Georgia. And so very deserving. A geologist, photographer, hiker, tourist’s dream. Wow.
There are many ways to experience the falls, and although everyone recommends taking the challenging stairs, I have one qualm: they are not dog-​friendly (hence only four stars). As in, they are made of a wide-​set sharp metal grate that is NOT paw friendly for any size paws. Small paws would slip through the grate while large paws would be spread apart and shredded a bit from the pressure of the narrow slices set an inch apart. Yet, I watched dozens of people still dragging their poor dogs up hundreds of stairs despite the pain it probably inflicted. Imagine walking barefoot on a metal grate up the side of a mountain. If it hurts you, it probably hurts them too!
There are dog-​friendly trails however, very crowded with dogs, but check them out. And if it’s just a human pack with the luxury of hiking boots definitely try the climb.

:: : HIKING REVIEW: : :
Are you familiar with the Seven Natural Wonders of Georgia? They are considered to be the most unusual and spectacular locations in the state and include:
* Amicalola Falls State Park
* Okefenokee Swamp
* Stone Mountain —

* Tallulah Gorge —

* Providence Canyon —

* Radium Springs —

* Warm Springs
I must admit I am extremely proud of our state and all it has to offer. Allow me to take you on a tour of our natural landmarks, covered bridges, and amazing outdoor places in my list… Hiking Trails, Waterfalls & Awesome Outdoor Places:

A W E S O M E W A T E R F A L L
Amicalola means «tumbling waters» in the Cherokee Indian language. The waterfall is considered the highest in Georgia @ 729-​feet tall. This arguably makes it the largest south of Virginia and east of the Mississippi.
DRIVE
There are several ways to get to the waterfall including three drive up parking areas. One road will bring you to the reflection pond at the lowest point of the falls. From here you will do a short hike up the side of the mountain and then climb 175 stairs to the viewing platform. This will give you the best view of the upper falls. There is a second parking area that allows you to bypass the 175 stairs with only a short hike from the parking area to the viewing platform. A third parking area will lead you to the top of the falls, which avoids the additional 425 steps from the viewing platform. I personally enjoy the calorie burning and chose to do all 600 steps to the top. While climbing the second set of steps I encountered a beaver hiding.
HIKE
There are two visitor centers, One at the beginning of the hiking trails and one at the top of the mountain (which also happens to be a lodge and restaurant). You have three trail options to the falls: The yellow Creek Trail on the left (.6 mile moderate), the Eastern Ridge Trail behind the lodge (1.0 mile moderate to strenuous), or the 8.5 mile blue Appalachian Approach Trail that leads you to the southern terminus of the 2,160 mile Appalachian Trail. The blue AAT includes .8 mile hike to the viewing area of the falls and an additional .2 mile hike up 425 steps to the top of the falls.
W I L D E R N E S S W E E K E N D S
Unbeknownst to me and my hiking buddy, today was the beginning of the annual Wilderness Survival Weekend. This is a free two day course that teaches you which animals are really dangerous, what plants to eat or use for natural remedies, how to make a survival shelter, how to build a fire, navigate with a compass or finding your way using moss, the stars, sun, moon, tree branches or shadows. All geared to help you should you ever really find yourself lost in the great outdoors.
Accommodations are available at the beautiful Lodge which offers sweeping views from the rooms as well as the lobby and spacious restaurant. We had the pleasure of spotting a BLACK BEAR wandering around in the lawns less than 100 feet from the patio doors of the Lodge:

SIDE NOTE: The Lodge also offers special culinary events throughout the year!
T H E V E R D I C T
Drive up for a day hike or a weekend getaway. This is natures way of showing off with cascading streams, gorgeous waterfalls, hiking, sweeping vistas and critters that make you say Ooooooo!!!