County: Dawson
City: Dawsonville
Amicalola. The Cherokee had a name for it. High in the watershed of a ridge known as Amicalola Mountain a body of water forms, enthusiastically called a river. Along the western slope the river runs, until it tumbles, swirls and drops off ledges in the mountain at the southern end of the Appalachians. Amicalola. Tumbling water.
Our journey to Amicalola Falls State Park begins heading east from Jasper, Georgia, north and west of Atlanta. Not the quickest or easiest route, State Highway 136 affords the best long distance view of the falls’ 729 foot tumble. It is absolutely stunning, especially in the winter when the barren trees afford the falls little cover. The waterfall dwarfs the modern lodge to right.
Amicalola Falls
The winter and early spring are the best time to view the falls, although they are impressive year-roundAfter a quick stop at Burt’s Pumpkin Farm, it’s across the street to the entrance of the park. A fee is required, and the two dollars, paid on the honor system, is well worth it. The road splits just before the visitor center. Journey to the left to get to the top of the falls and the lodge, or continue straight ahead for the visitor center and the Base of the Falls Trail. We turn left on the Amicalola Falls Lodge Road which begins climbing immediately and a steep mile later the upper falls parking is to the right. The road follows the ridge line past this parking to the 57-room Amicalola Lodge. When the lodge was built quite a furor erupted over what critics called “the intrusive nature of the building”. We stopped and walked the interpretive path along the ridge top south of the lodge. An easy hike, the trail is signed and lit at night, and it affords great views of the cove below and the Amicalola Watershed beneath the falls.
Between the lodge and the falls, stone steps rise from the road. Although signage in the park may tell a different story, this is the start of the Southern Terminus Trail. The road limits parking for the falls, however, an expansive overflow parking area is available at the end of the roadside lot. The area here has been repeatedly raked by weather over the last five years including an unnamed rainstorm, a blizzard commonly called the Storm of the Century and Hurricane Opal. Much of the observation deck and path have been rebuilt because of the storms. The deck crosses the creek, jutting out over the dramatic drop in the falls. From the deck, the foothills of the Southern Appalachian Mountains (technically, The Dahlonega Uplands) spread across much of the view, which is exceptional in the fall.
The Cherokee controlled the area until they were forcibly removed from the state of Georgia in 1838 during the “Trail of Tears.” Describing the falls in 1832, William Williamson wrote:
In the course of my route in the Mountains I discovered a Water Fall perhaps the greatest in the World the most majestic Scene that I have ever witnessed or heard of the Creek passes over the mountain & the fall I think can’t be less than Six hundred Yards. The Mountain is a least three fourths of a mile high. I made great exertions to get on the summit but the ascent was so great that I was completely exhausted by the time I reached half way. My position was such that I had a perfect view of the entire Fall The Steam is Called Um-ma-eolola from the Fall (Sliding Water)When the Appalachian Trail was rerouted to end at Springer Mountain the park began to serve as the access point for hikers. From the park, Springer is just over 8 miles using the Southern Terminus Access TrailHardwoods dominate the local forest. The river forms the Amicalola Watershed, which drains into the Etowah River further south. The mountain is the southern limit for the eastern milk snake. Occasionally rare animals such as the pilated woodpecker (like Woody) and plants like the pink lady slipper are found.
Returning down the mountain, turn left at the end of the road to continue to the Base of the Falls Trail. Limited parking is available at the trailhead, but parking along the road to the base augments it. The path begins to the left of the reflection pool and winds up the cove to an observation deck near the bottom of the falls. The path is paved and is easy to moderate.
The Visitors Center is being remodeled and expanded. Scales are provided so backpackers can check the amount of weight in packs before they begin the trek to the top of Springer. Additional trails are available, including the Base of the Falls Trail previously mentioned and the East and West Ridge Trails. These wind their way up the ridges, the East trail climbing to the start of the Appalachian Trail, the West Ridge Trail climbing to a spring near Amicalola Lodge Road where it ends. To see the falls using the West Ridge Trail requires a walk on the paved road and this may be dangerous because the road is narrow.
Directions:Take Ga. 400 to Ga. 53 towards Dawsonville. Turn right on Elliott Family Parkway (Hwy 183), and continue on Hwy 183 until it ends at GA-52. Turn right on GA-52, the entrance to the park is on the left about 1 mile past Burt’s Pumpkin Farm on the left.
Phone: (706)265-8888
Address: Amicalola Falls State Park, 418 Amicalola Falls Lodge Road, Dawsonville, Georgia, 30534
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