Amicalola Falls State Park – North Georgia Mountains
While recently visiting the North Georgia Mountains, we took a day trip to Amicalola Falls State Park. It has been a number of years since our last visit. The park is a beautiful place to hike, see the amazing sites nature has to offer, along with a wide variety of photo opportunities. Aside for the nature trails and waterfalls, Amicalola Falls State Park offers a variety of lodging options including a campground on top of the mountains, cabin rentals and a lodge with stunning views of the mountains and valleys.
The Amicalola Falls
Amicalola Falls are an amazing site. The falls tower up the mountains side at 729 feet making them the tallest falls in Georgia and the third-highest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River. For the adventurist, a path starts at the bottom of the mountain in front of the Welcome Center. A short walk along a path is bordered by the creek at the base of the falls. Midway you are greeted by an amazing view of the fall’s base. From an observation deck, 175 steps lead to a bridge in the middle of the falls. This is the most picturesque views of the falls.
Standing midway of the falls, the bridge view is spectacular. A view of the steepest section of the falls displays the sounds of the water cascading along the rocks, the view to the bottom of the falls and the first sights of the mountains to the south. To reach the top of the falls, another set of 425 steps leads to the observation deck above.
For some, the hike may be too strenuous, but that shouldn’t stop anyone from visiting Amicalola Falls and enjoying the amazing views. A short drive up the paved road toward the Lodge, you’ll find a parking area and short .3 mile paved path to the midpoint bridge. The path is fairly level with no steps. To continue to the top of the falls, continue up the road toward the Lodge where you’ll find more parking and a short, easy walk to the observation deck.
The views from the top of the falls are breath taking. The sounds of the falling water, the expansive site of the valley then the cascading mountain ridges in the background offer amazing picture after picture. Also at the top of the falls is a park with seating, picnic areas and an amphitheater. Continuing across the bridge you come upon the beginning of the 2,180 mile long Appalachian Trail that leads to Mt. Katahdin in Maine.
The Campground
At the top of the mountain are 24 wooded camp sites. Each sight has ample space for the largest camper and natural barriers between each site. Water and electric are available at each site and a dump stations is located near the entrance. The campground has large grassy areas for the kids to play, a pavilion and bath facilities with a laundry. The campground provides access to many of the hiking trails, minutes from the top of the falls and a short walk to the lodge.
While big rig friendly, there is one word of caution. The road leading the campground is a long with a 25% incline grade. Make sure your tow vehicle or motorized RV has the horse power to reach the top. It’s steep!
If you don’t have an RV and still want to experience the rustic side of the park, there are a number of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom cabins.
The Lodge
Few state parks we’ve visited include lodging. The Amicalola Falls Lodge is located along the top ridge providing breath-taking views of the valley’s and mountains. The facility offers hotel style rooms and service. The Lodge has a restaurant, meeting rooms, outdoor deck and veranda. This is a great location for weddings, corporate events, or a pampered weekend to enjoy the mountain views after a day at one of the many North Georgia vineyards.
Amazing Zip Line Course
If you are up for something designed for the heartiest of thrill seeker, consider one of the zip line tours. Appropriately named, the Screaming Eagle Aerial Adventure Tour, the zip lines range from short treks through the trees to the longest at 2,000 feet from one mountain top to another at 250 feet across deep valleys. Just seeing the course from the ground was enough to get the adrenaline flowing. This is one amazing course.
Whether a day trip, long weekend or 14 day stay at the campground, Amicalola Falls State Park offers the quite peace of the mountain trails, stunning views of the falls, valleys and mountains, along with wide range of activities for the adventure.
Not sure about what RV accessories you need as you start RV travel? Check out our RV Accessories page where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those “nice to have” RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we’ve traveled across the country in our RV.
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