Amicalola Falls

Waterfalls
Located in Nearby Cities

Amicalola Falls State Park located in the North Georgia Mountains is one of Georgia's most popular state parks. Breathtaking scenery and hiking trails of all levels of difficulty are part of the popularity, but the greatest appeal is the 729 foot waterfall. Boasting the largest waterfall east of the Mississippi River, Amicalola Falls is a beautiful natural wonder. Amicalola means "tumbling waters", and you can see up close and personal on a bridge that faces the falls that it's actually of series of waterfalls.

As you hike to the top of Amicalola Falls, you will capture stunning mountain views on the East Ridge Trail and Appalachian Approach Trail loop. The hike begins at the Amicalola Falls State Park visitor center (view maps and driving directions). The route passes under a stone arch marking the beginning of the Appalachian Trail Approach Trail, a 10 mile hike to the Appalachian Trail’s southern terminus on Springer Mountain. Numerous other trails provide shorter day hikes.

Amicalola Falls Trail is actually two trails, the Base of Falls Trail and the waterfall's trail, with two entirely different personalities. The Base of Falls Trail parallels the paved road between the visitors center and the reflecting pool, crossing it once and ending up at the southwest corner of the lower falls parking lot. The falls portion of the Amicalola Falls Trail is a steep, paved trail that requires a good deal of effort to climb up, even for a seasoned hiker. For this reason it is suggested that you climb to the top of the falls via the East Ridge Trail and come down the Top of Falls Trail on the return. This hike is much easier....

Directions to Amicalola Falls:

  • From the Georgia Mountain Parkway (GA 515) take GA 52 East
  • Turn left into the park
  • The trailhead is behind the visitors center

Information for Hiking:  https://www.atlantatrails.com/hiking-trails/tumbling-waters-hiking-amicalola-falls/