Amicalola Falls State Park (Blog Hike #232)

Trails: (various)

Hike Location: Amicalola Falls State Park

Geographic Location: west of Dahlonega, GA (34.55801, -84.24968)

Length: 2.3 miles

Difficulty: 9/10 (Difficult)

Dates Hiked: March 2008, April 2014, May 2023

Overview: A hike with significant climbing featuring the tallest waterfall east of the Mississippi.

Park Information: https://www.amicalolafallslodge.com/
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=721642
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video:

Directions to the trailhead: From Dahlonega, take SR 52 west 15 miles to the signed state park entrance.  Turn right to enter the park, and pay the park entrance fee.  Park in the hiker parking lot across the main park road from the Visitor Center.

The hike: Located on the southern edge of the north Georgia mountains, Amicalola Falls State Park is one of those delightful destinations at which hiking actually takes center stage.  True, the park contains several picnic areas, a reflection pool (passed on this hike), and a mountain-side lodge that features spectacular views to the south, but most visitors to the park come to view the waterfall. To visit the waterfall, at least a little hiking will be required.

            The name Amicalola is a corruption of the Cherokee Indian word Um-ma-eolola which means “sliding water.”  One visit to this waterfall and you will know why the Cherokees used that name for this area.  Although the waterfall is considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Georgia, the park was not developed until 1958 when it was decided that the Appalachian Trail’s (AT) southern terminus would be at nearby Springer Mountain.  At that time, the park became a popular springboard for AT hikers, and park development began.

            The Approach Trail, which begins at the Visitor Center and leads 8.5 uphill miles to Springer Mountain, is still a popular way to access the AT.  Also, a 5 mile trail leads to the unique Len Foote Hike Inn, a cozy 20-room lodge accessible only by trail.  While both of these destinations are outside the 829 acre park, you do not need to leave the park to have an excellent hiking experience.  An interesting 6-mile trail system allows access to all points of interest within the park, including the highlight of all, the waterfall.

Trailhead for Creek Trail

            To begin your journey to the waterfall, pick up the yellow-blazed Creek Trail, which leaves the far northwest corner of the hiker parking lot at an information board.  The Creek Trail immediately crosses Little Amicalola Creek on a wooden footbridge, then curves right as it begins ascending away from the creek.  Parts of this ascent are steep, but the steep sections are short and well-spaced between flatter sections.  A dense understory of mountain laurel prevents any views of the creek downhill to your right.

Climbing on Creek Trail

            After 0.25 miles and at the highest point along the Creek Trail, take a sharp left to begin the Mountain Laurel Trail, which is marked with green blazes.  Continuing straight on the Creek Trail would lead another 0.3 miles to the reflection pool, a destination we will visit later in this hike.  The Mountain Laurel Trail continues climbing at a moderate grade but reverses course from the Creek Trail, heading south.

            The trail curves right, tops a low spur ridge, then continues to curve right as it descends slightly, the only descent along the first half of this hike.  Curving right again, the trail regains the ridge crest using four switchbacks before curving left and ascending on a more gradual grade.  The forest on this ridge is more open compared to the forest in the valley, allowing for some nice views down the ridge.

Climbing on Mountain Laurel Trail

            0.7 miles into the hike, the Mountain Laurel Trail reaches its highest point and its intersection with the orange-blazed Spring Trail, which exits to the left.  Continuing along the Mountain Laurel Trail would quickly take you back down to the Creek Trail, so you should turn left to begin the Spring Trail.  Note that the spring for which this trail is named is located in a concrete structure just past this intersection on the Mountain Laurel Trail.

            Although only 0.4 miles long, the Spring Trail comprises the hardest part of the climb, as the trail gains 250 feet in this short distance.  The climb is made harder by the fact that several sections of this trail are badly eroded.  To compensate, during the leafless months your first views of Amicalola Falls can be had in the distance ahead of you and to the right.  Keep your eyes open and see what you can see.

            The last bit of the Spring Trail features the worst of the erosion, but soon the Spring Trail comes out at a small blacktop parking lot, the highest point along this hike.  Angle right across the parking lot and pick up the West Ridge Falls Access Trail which leaves the blacktop and heads gradually downhill.  Note that if all you wanted to do was see the waterfall, this parking area and trail provide the easiest way to do that.

West Ridge Falls Access Trail

            The West Ridge Falls Access Trail is a handicapped-accessible trail paved with recycled tires that provide good traction but feature some soft spots that could cause you to stumble; step carefully.  After 0.3 mile of easy gradual downhill walking, you arrive at an observation deck near the base of the falls.  Wow, is this waterfall big or what?!  For 729 feet water splashes from ledge to ledge, creating a magnificent symphony for the eyes but especially the ears.  Actually, your current position is in the middle of the waterfall, so you will have to look both uphill to the left and downhill to the right to see the entire cascade.  Sights like this are hard to find, so take your time here and be sure to catch everything there is to see.

Amicalola Falls, as seen from Lower Platform

            One set of steps exits left uphill and leads to the top of the waterfall and the lodge, but our hike crosses Little Amicalola Creek on a wooden bridge and turns right to descend 165 metal steps.  Several observation decks appear along this descent that give more and different views of the waterfall.  At the base of the last set of steps, the blacktop trail switchbacks twice to continue downstream with the creek on the right and hillside on the left.

            At 1.5 miles, the trail comes out at the reflection pool, a man-made pool consisting of still water from Little Amicalola Creek.  Angle right, pass through the parking area for the reflection pool, and pick up the dirt Base-of-Falls Trail, which heads through a picnic area.  At 1.7 miles, the trail crosses Little Amicalola Creek on a wooden bridge for the last time.

Reflection Pool

            The trail curves left and heads slightly uphill to cross the main park road.  Now in the developed part of the park, several picnic shelters will be passed on the right before the Base-of-Falls Trail intersects the East Ridge Trail behind the Visitor Center.  Turn right, walk around (or through) the Visitor Center, and cross the park road to return to the hiker parking lot and complete the hike.