Insiders Guide To Amicalola Falls State Park, Georgia

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Staying at The Journey Lodge at Amicalola Falls State Park was the right manner for our household to flee the hustle and bustle and revel in a tranquil and enjoyable getaway.

Surrounded by breathtaking views of the mountains and majestic Amicalola Falls, it was a spot the place you’ll be able to simply disconnect and let nature encourage you.

“That is my sort of getaway,” I exhaled from my Adirondack chair with wine in hand and flames leaping out of the hearth pit.

Our cabin was decked on the again with solely forested views in entrance. The Talbott Brothers on Spotify had been reminding me to remain Younger and the speeding sound of Amicalola Falls because it tumbled down over its lip within the distance relaxed the stress out of me.

We’d spend the day exploring the miles of climbing trails or take a scenic drive by way of the North Georgia Mountains, earlier than coming again to our cozy cabin and enjoyable in entrance of the hearth and sharing our fondest reminiscences of the day.

For those who’re able to loosen up amidst nature or head out on an outside journey vacation, then right here’s what to anticipate from a keep at The Lodge at Amicalola Falls State Park and our expertise to encourage you!

The place is Amicalola Falls State Park in Georgia?

Amicalola Falls State Park is positioned inside Chattahoochee Nationwide Forest between Ellijay and Dahlonega in Dawsonville, Georgia.

It’s simply over an hour north of Atlanta, two hours southeast of Chattanooga, TN, and three hours south of Asheville, NC.

The park is lower than an hour’s drive from Blue Ridge, Helen, and Hiawassee.

Which lead me to ponder a number of occasions throughout our go to, how can this place be so near Atlanta, but so blissfully quiet? 

A part of the blessings of touring mid-week and through the month of Might is somewhat further serenity earlier than summer time breaks out. 

What Makes Amicalola Falls State Park Particular?

One of the best factor about Amicalola Falls State Park is that it gives the most effective of each worlds.

You’ll be able to take pleasure in many out of doors actions equivalent to swimming, fishing, kayaking, horseback using, and extra.

Or you’ll be able to merely loosen up and revel in nature, spending a night spent below the starlit night time sky on the terrace or cozy up by the lodge’s out of doors fireplace pits.

As quickly as I melted into the pure environment by that fireplace pit, I scrapped all our plans to probably enterprise out the following day to go to a number of farms and wineries within the surrounding Dawson County area of the North Georgia Mountains.

“You recognize what, Craig. That is all I want proper now. I’m not leaving Amicalola Falls State Park. I’m going to get up slowly, do a few climbing trails to expertise the falls, after which I’m going to lap up the serenity of this cabin and the encompassing forest. There’s nothing else that may give me larger bliss.”

And we did simply that. 4 nights on the state park doing nothing else however having fun with the adventures this gorgeous Georgia State Park needed to supply. 

Issues To Do At Amicalola Falls State Park: An Journey Lodge

For those who suppose sitting within the forest for 4 days can be somewhat too heavy on the boredom scale for you, let me inform you that Amicalola is often known as an journey park. 

Experiencing the grandeur of Amicalola Falls just isn’t the one attraction on supply. There are a number of outside actions accessible that transfer from sedate to thrilling – it’s one among Georgia’s hottest state parks for a cause! 

1. See the Fantastic thing about Amicalola Falls

In fact, you’ll anticipate Amicalola Falls to be the spotlight of your go to to the state park named in its honor. 

Amicalola means “Tumbling Waters” in Cherokee, which is precisely what your senses will expertise on this Georgia State Park. At 729 ft excessive, it’s the highest waterfall in Georgia and the third-highest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi River. 

What’s distinctive about these falls is that you may expertise it from a number of angles – from the highest, the underside, the center, and views from far-off. I like to recommend you do all of the above.

Once we visited, a part of the path was closed resulting from storm injury so we needed to navigate round somewhat so we might nonetheless expertise all of the completely different approaches. 

2. Hike Amicalola Falls Path (from the underside to the highest)

The last word is to hike from the bottom of the falls of Amicalola Falls (ranging from the Customer Middle on the park’s entrance) proper to the highest the place the lodge is positioned. 

From the Customer Middle, the path takes you thru a lush inexperienced forest beside the creek and the Reflection Pool, common for trout fishing.

Pause right here to soak up the views of the Falls coming down the mountain, however not for too lengthy as the peak might scare you away from ending your stroll!

From there, the trail has a brief however steep climb to the underside of the falls the place you will have views of the falls cascading down the rock face and exquisite views of the valley behind you. 

Then, you climb a flight of steps to the center statement deck after which one other 425 stairs to the highest. 

Plan to cease on the lodge for lunch and a drink after to absorb the views earlier than taking the simpler stroll again down. 

It is going to be a really memorable expertise!

4. Hike The High of the Falls to the Center

Alternatively, you’ll be able to stroll down from the highest of the falls for a shorter hike to the center statement deck.

This may contain these 425 steps down – remembering that you just’ll want to come back again up. I’m of cheap health and it took me about 5 minutes and didn’t really feel as dangerous because it appears – you are able to do it!

5. Stroll The Flat Path to the Center Commentary Deck

There’s a a lot simpler and flatter path that takes you to the center statement deck. You’ll be able to, after all, take the steps as much as the highest from right here, or all the way down to the underside (if they’re open).

NOTE:

Once we visited (Might 2021), the part between the center statement deck and the underside of the falls was closed so as to restore storm injury.

So, we hiked from the highest to the center, after which from the Customer Middle to the underside of the falls. That reduce out about 300 stairs, however gave us the identical views and expertise.

6. Go Zip Lining on the Screaming Eagle Aerial Journey Tour

Time so as to add Ralph to your USA Bucket Listing.

Ralph is The Tremendous Zip excessive above the cover at Amicalola Falls State Park.

We’re speaking a 2,400-ft lengthy, 250 ft excessive cable zooming you at speeds of as much as 50-60 miles per hour and providing you excellent mountain and valley views. On a transparent day, you’ll be able to even see out to the Atlanta Skyline. 

I beloved this zipline and solely wished it went for longer.

The Screaming Eagle zip lining expertise at Amicalola Falls State Park can last as long as 4 hours over three ranges of programs comprising of zip traces and suspension bridges.

Stage 3 takes in all 16 zip traces and is the place you’ll discover Ralph. 

There’s a weight restriction of 95lbs. Savannah was so upset she was too mild for Ralph, however she loved experiencing Stanley, Quantity 2 on the zip line thrill odometer. 

Kalyra was fairly nervous to do Ralph, and I needed to coax her fairly a bit as I knew she’d adore it and remorse it if she walked away.It’s a delicate dance together with your youngsters to assist them navigate previous concern. As predicted, after it she stated it was “superior and never as scary as I assumed.”

7. Attempt 3D Archery

We’re going deep into the forest searching animals on this archery course with a distinction. 

You’ll come throughout foam modeled animals equivalent to deer, bear, foxes and the ultimate prize – an elusive dinosaur. 

The 3D Archery course at Amicalola is a great deal of enjoyable and appears like the actual deal. You’ll study the fundamentals of utilizing a bow and arrow and can take pictures on the foam 3D targets within the out of doors vary.

The 3D archery is a enjoyable household exercise, which our women actually beloved and felt empowered doing. 

8. Have A Go At Tomahawk Throwing

Our household will at all times keep in mind our first time Tomahawk throwing.

Craig was entrance of digicam and trying to nail a bullseye after his line, “that is my first time throwing a tomahawk.”

He shocked himself greater than the remainder of us when he actually did nail the bullseye! It was hilarious (keep tuned for our video).

We loved studying tips on how to throw a tomahawk and trying to nail the bullseyes ourselves. The women did nice. I feel I landed only one or 2 however had enjoyable doing so. 

Throwing an axe on the goal is more durable than it appears.

7. Meet The Birds of Prey

On weekends, you’ll be able to spend time attending to know a number of of the park’s animals at animal meet and greets.

We beloved assembly Sir Lands-a-Lot, a rescued red-tailed hawk who didn’t wish to fly away to be wild once more. He was raised with geese and now quacks like one. Listening to that was an Amicalola second. 

We additionally received to the touch a non-venomous corn snake named Kellogg. The women had been afraid at first, however as soon as they did, it didn’t take lengthy for them to fall in love with it curling round their arms.

When you maintain and contact a snake, you expertise how particular they’re and concern them much less. I really like how Amicalola provides you this chance to expertise it firsthand. 

Don’t contact wild snakes, btw!

8. Hike A part of the Appalachian Path

Do you know Amicalola Falls State Park is the place scores of individuals every year start their once-in-a-lifetime journey climbing the Appalachian Path?

The 5-mile hike on the method path begins on the southern terminus of the Appalachian Path from the Customer Middle and results in the bottom of Springer Mountain, the official starting of the Appalachian Path, which then continues for one more 2,000+ miles to Maine. 

You’ll be able to stroll a piece of it, or simply get your photograph taken on the stone archway signaling the start and inform all your pals you probably did it.

9. Hike the Mountain Laurel Loop

This reasonable climbing path is a looped path that sits on the ridge above Amicalola Creek and has superb views of the outdated Appalachian method path.

The hike is barely about 1 km, however you’ll be able to prolong it by climbing onto the Spring Path or the West Ridge Falls trails.

Park the automobile on the West Ridge Falls Entry Path and hike from there.

Amicalola Falls Lodge

“You can not beat a view like this,” I demanded of the woman’s consideration as we sat down on the Amicalola Falls State Park Lodge for dinner the primary night.

“Are you able to concentrate for a minute? Have a look at it. A seeping vista full of forested mountains, not an indication of civilization in sight. Are you aware how uncommon that is? Particularly within the USA.”

Amicalola Lodge turns an unusual state park expertise into a rare one.

Perched in the midst of the forest on one of many tallest mountains in Georgia is the grand lodge with magnificent vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

You’ll love coming out and in of the lodge as you progress about your day, both organizing actions, consuming, sleeping, or simply enjoyable in its stunning lobby and outdoors patio. 

Sundown at Amicalola Falls Lodge

One other spotlight of your keep at Amicalola State Park is watching the sundown behind the mountains from the lodge. 

You’ll discover a quiet gathering of visitors with their glasses of wine and chairs perched on the sting of the mountain and across the fireplace pit.

Once more, with this view you’ll be amazed on the full absence of any human life – just some hawks circling round with infinite flight house over the valley and mountains. 

Eating: Cascades Restaurant

Contained in the lodge, the Cascades Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and gives conventional American and Southern basic delicacies.

The pecan crusted trout is a crowd pleaser, as is the rib eye steak. On busy days, they’ve buffets for all three meals with loads of selections to swimsuit all tastebuds.

The standout function is the ground to ceiling glass home windows providing panoramic views of the mountains. 

Head to the patio to your pre or submit dinner drinks, sundown views, and quiet firepit conversations.

Lodging at Amicalola Falls

Take your Amicalola Falls expertise to new heights by staying inside the state park. From suites and rooms to cabins and campgrounds, you select your degree of consolation and mountain retreat model. 

Amicalola Falls State Park Cabins

After checking into our mountain cabin, we took one look over the again deck and began carrying wooden all the way down to the firepit under. It’s the right house to unplug and unwind deep in nature. 

I beloved listening to the speeding sound of Amicalola Falls from our campfire in entrance of the cottages. And the ladies and I had a great deal of enjoyable dancing collectively on the large deck of the cabin. Speak about Extraordinary – our strikes had been simply THAT!

These rustic cabins are excellent for households, which can be simply rustic in feel and look. 

Inside you’ll discover the trendy services you’ll love from kitchens, cozy fireplaces, separate bedrooms (1-3), ensuite bogs, and WiFi – distant studying and dealing households will love that function.

You’ll be able to select two places to your Amicalola Falls cabins; the wooded mountaintop or creekside under the Falls.

Our cabin was on the wooded mountaintop. I beloved the 10-minute stroll to the lodge. A path took you previous the highest of the waterfall by way of the forest to the lodge. Why drive when you’ll be able to stroll with Mom Nature by your aspect?

Lodge Rooms

The lodge is your lodging selection if you’d like somewhat extra luxurious and comfort. You’re solely steps away from eating, views, lodge actions, and the highest of the Falls. 

There are 57 trendy and trendy rooms that adjust from King, Double Queen, and suites. Many have sweeping views of the mountains with a non-public patio. 

Amicalola Falls State Park Tenting

The Amicalola Campground is positioned on the Mountain high close to the cabins. It’s secluded, spacious, and quiet with easy accessibility to all facilities. 

There are 24 properly maintained wooded campsites for RV’s and tent tenting. Websites have water, energy, a grill, and a hearth ring. 

Notice: The highway to entry the campground is at a 25% grade and might not be suited to the biggest RV Camper fashions.

Extra Georgia Journey Ideas

Once we left Amicalola, our subsequent cease was one other unbelievable state park in Georgia. Listed here are another guides about close by lodging and locations to remain.

Video: Amicalola Falls State Park

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