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Amicalola Falls
Amicalola Falls State Park
(west of Dahlonega GA)
Amicalola Creek forms Amicalola Falls, Georgia's highest waterfall, by tumbling 729 feet down the steep side of Amicalola Mountain in six cascades. Now protected within the Amicalola Falls State Park by the State of Georgia, admission to the park requires payment of a nominal fee (it has been $2). This area has been heavily damaged repeatedly by storms, including a severe hurricane, but the State has done an excellent job of maintaining easy access to Amicalola Falls.
Access to the base of the waterfalls is via the Base of the Falls Trail. Paved, with some stairs, this easy to moderate footpath starts at the visitors center, parallels the road to the reflection pool southwest corner of the lower falls parking lot. Now the climb starts as the trail snakes up the cove to an observation deck providing excellent views of the waterfall.
It has been suggested that you can avoid this steep climb by taking the East Ridge Trail to the top of the waterfalls, then come down to the viewing platform (which is about 250 below the
top) and follow the "Top of Falls Trail" back to the parking area. We did not test this route but chose to make the climb. We are in our seventies and did have to rest a few time but it really wasn't all that
bad.
How to get there:
From I-285 in Atlanta:
- Take GA-400 north to the intersection of GA-53.
- Turn left on GA-53 and drive, through Dawsonville, to the intersection of GA-183 ('Elliott Family Parkway').
- Turn right onto GA-183 and follow it to its end at GA-52.
- Turn right on GA-52, and follow it to the entrance to the park (about a mile beyond Burt's Pumpkin Farm).
From I-85 southbound (e.g., from Greenville SC):
- Take exit 160 and follow GA-51 west. through Homer to Lula where GA-51 is joined by
GA-52.
From here you will be following GA-53. There are many intersections along this route so watch carefully for the GA-52 signs!
- Continue on GA-52, through Dahlonega (about 30 miles), to the entrance to the park (about 19 miles on your left).
Note: These are mountain roads with lots of blind curves and ups and downs. There are legal passing zones but, please, be patient.
Links to photos:
For more information:
Amicalola Falls State Park MAP
Amicalola Falls State Park
240 Amicalola Falls State Park Rd
Dawsonville, GA 30534
Local phone: 706-265-4703
From Atlanta: 770-389-7275
Hotel and Motel accommodations,
usually at a discount, are available in the
following area communities:
For a 'clickable' accommodations
map of Georgia, visit:
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