Amicalola Falls State Park Photo: Thomson20192 / CC0
United States › Georgia

Amicalola Falls State Park

ByWilderness Experts

Fast facts

  • Signature feature: Amicalola Falls, about 729 feet (222 m), the tallest waterfall in Georgia
  • Trail link: the Approach Trail, about 8.5 miles (13.7 km) to Springer Mountain, southern end of the Appalachian Trail
  • Size: about 830 acres (3.4 km²)
  • Gateway: Dawsonville
  • Managed by: Georgia State Parks

The landscape

Amicalola Falls pours down a steep cliff in the southern Blue Ridge, with forested ridges of oak, hickory and rhododendron all around. The name comes from a Cherokee word for “tumbling waters.” Above the falls, the land rises toward Springer Mountain and the Chattahoochee National Forest. Black bears, deer and wild turkeys live here.

Best time to go

Spring brings high water at the falls and the start of Appalachian Trail thru-hiking season, when the park is full of hikers heading north. Late October brings fall colour. Summer is warm and humid; winter can bring ice.

We have no photo gallery for Amicalola Falls State Park yet. If you have been, share a photo and we will credit you.Sign in to share a photo

Getting there and around

The park is off Highway 52 in the north Georgia mountains. Roads lead to the base of the falls, the visitor center and the lodge at the top. The Approach Trail starts at the visitor center and climbs to Springer Mountain.

Things to do

Visitors climb the staircase and trails beside the falls. Backpackers set out on the Approach Trail to Springer, the traditional start of a thru-hike. A 5-mile (8 km) trail leads to a backcountry lodge. Cabins, a campground and the lodge make the park a base for mountain hiking.

Staying safe

The stairs and rocks near the falls are steep and slick; stay on the trails and behind railings. Weather on the ridges can change quickly, especially in early spring, when snow and cold catch new thru-hikers. Black bears are present, so store food properly. Leave a trip plan for longer hikes.

Know before you go

This page is a general overview, not a live conditions report, so confirm current conditions and reservations with Georgia State Parks before you go.

Navigation
Coordinates
34.5717, -84.2316
Magnetic declination
5.8° W (2026)

Set this declination on your compass, then align it to the map's north lines; it is the angle between true north and magnetic north, refreshed each year.

How declination works, and how to navigate with a map and compass

7 places in Amicalola Falls State Park

A spread of the park’s main places shows straight away, and the rest appear as you zoom in. You can also search above, or pick any place from the lists below, and the map will go to it. Places in bold, marked , have a short description.

Getting there 1

Visitor centre

On the trail 5

Trailheads

Campground

Huts and shelters

Sights 1

Waterfall

Map data comes from third-party sources and may be incomplete or out of date, so carry a current official map (terms).

Trip types
Day hikeCar campingWeekend backpackingMulti-day/expedition

Looking for one of these closer to home?Destinations near me by trip type →

Terrain
MountainsForestRivers
Key hazards
Steep stairs and slick rock at the fallsRapid weather change on the ridgesBlack bearsIce in winter
Best seasons
Spring, Fall (foliage)
Difficulty
Easy to strenuous
Access / trailheads
Off Highway 52, about 15 miles (24 km) northwest of Dawsonville in the north Georgia mountains.
Water
Water at developed areas; treat stream water on the trail.
Cell / satellite coverage
Fair near the lodge, patchy on the trail toward Springer.
Nearest ranger / SAR / emergency
Emergencies: 911.
Permits & regulations
A parking fee applies. Campsites, cabins and the lodge are reserved through Georgia State Parks (1-800-864-7275).
Leave No Trace
Stay on the trails and stairs, store food from bears, and pack out all waste.
Conditions by month

October This month

Average high69°F(21°C)21°C(69°F)
Average low50°F(10°C)10°C(50°F)
Rainfall4 in(102 mm)102 mm(4 in)
Daylight, mid-month11 h 22 minSunrise 7:41 a.m., sunset 7:03 p.m.

What to bring depends on your trip: how long you’re out, where you sleep, and how far you go from the road. The planner builds the list for yours.

Plan a trip here →

Averages for 1991–2020 from NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, measured at the Jasper station, 14 miles (22 km)22 km (14 miles) away at 1,465 feet (447 m)447 m (1,465 feet). Higher trails run colder, by about 3.5°F for every 1,000 ft (2°C per 300 m)2°C for every 300 m (3.5°F per 1,000 ft) of climb. Daylight runs from sunrise to sunset on the 15th, on the park’s own clock, for a level horizon. Valleys and slopes facing away from the sun are in shade earlier.

Before you go Conditions, permits, fire bans and closures change constantly — we summarise and link out, but always confirm with the managing agency first.
Official park website → Last verified 2026-09-21

Nearby parks

Straight-line distance between park centres. Road distance is usually longer.

Looking for somewhere closer to home?
See every park and monument within a day’s drive of where you are.

Destinations near me →