Visit Amicalola Falls State Park in Dawsonville Georgia
This 829-acre park is in the northeast Georgia Mountain area. It has the tallest state park waterfall. There are several hiking trails, including an entrance to the Appalachian Trail. It is loaded with fun park amenities.
Park Amenities - 24 tent, RV and trailer campsites, 14 cottages - SOME cottages are pet friendly, lodge rooms, conference center, restaurant, 20-room inn, spectacular 729-foot Amicalola Falls Waterfall, which is the tallest cascading waterfall east on the Mississippi, visitor center, interpretive programs, 4 picnic shelters, group shelter, ropes course, trout fishing stream, 12 miles of hiking trails with entryway to Appalachian trails. Park Facilities Map
Park Trails
East Ridge Trail - 1 mile in length. Rated moderate to strenuous. Not blazed. Leads from Visitor Center to the top of the falls.
Creek Trail - 0.6 miles. This trail is rated moderate in difficult. Blazed yellow. Provides a nice walk from the Visitor Center to the Reflection Pool at the base of the falls.
Spring Trail - 0.4 mile in length. Rated moderate to difficult. Blazed orange. This trail runs from the parking lot of the West Ridge/Falls Access Trail to the Mountain Laurel Loop Trail.
Mountain Laurel Loop - 1 mile in length. Rated moderate to difficult. Blazed green. This trail is a loop that runs along the ridge above Amicalola Creek. Sections of the trail can be used along with the Spring Trail, the West Ridge Falls Access, and the West Ridge Stairs to connect the lower sections of the park to the upper areas.
New Appalachian Approach Trial/Base of the Falls Trail - 8.5 miles in length. First mile (including 604 step staircase) takes hikers to the falls overlook, then joins the old Appalachian Approach Trail. Briefly joins Hike Inn Trail, then forks left. Rated moderate to strenuous. Blazed blue. Very scenic as it runs along the creek below the falls and eventually climbs the falls corridor itself on a series of stairs and decks. This trail is moderate to strenuous due to the steep slope and stairs.
West Ridge Falls Access Trail - 0.3 miles in length. Rated easy to moderate. Wheelchair accessible with gentle slope. One of the best views of the falls and one of the easier trails. Trail surface is flat and coated with recycled tires.
Lodge Loop - 0.25 mile loop. Rated easy. Wheelchair accessible. Paved surface with educational displays. Trail is lighted for early morning and/or evening use.
Hike Inn Trail - 5.5 miles in length. Rated moderate. Blazed yellow. This trail is the only access to the Len Foote Hike Inn. A permit must be obtained from the Visitor Center to hike this trail.
Fitness Trail - Easy access from the lodge. More than 20 exercise stations along the wooded route.
Campgrounds - Lodge Info
Pioneer Group Camping - Check-in time is 1 p.m. and check-out time is 1 p.m. Pets are allowed on a 6’ leash.
Cancellation/Transfer Policy: Cancellation of a reservation must be made at least 3 days prior to the date of arrival in order to receive a refund. A cancellation-handling fee per reservation will be charged. Reservations requiring a minimum deposit must be canceled outside 72 hours of arrival to avoid forfeit of minimum deposit. Campsite reservations can be changed one time at no additional charge provided a 3 day notice is given. Additional changes will incur a transfer-handling fee per reservation. No changes are allowed on campsite reservations inside 72 hours of arrival.
Lodge - Check-in is 4 p.m. and check-out is 11 a.m. Pets are not allowed in or around lodges. Room rates are based on a double-occupancy (fees charged for additional occupancy).
Cancellation/Transfer Policy: Cancellation of a reservation must be made at least 3 days prior to the date of arrival in order to receive a refund. Cancellation inside 3 days of arrival will result in a forfeit of first night deposit. Changes in arrival dates can be made one time at no fee provided a 3-day notice is given. Any additional changes will incur a $10 transfer handling fee per reservation.
Cottages
Check-in time is 4 p.m. and check-out time is 11 a.m. Cottage capacities cannot be exceeded and cannot be used for group gatherings. Dogs will be allowed ONLY in cottages designated as "pet friendly." (Additional fee charged; reservations required; dogs only.) Pets will not be allowed in or around any other cottages.
Cancellation/Transfer Policy: Cancellation of a reservation must be made at least 3 days prior to the date of arrival in order to receive a refund. A $10 cancellation handing fee per reservation will be charged. Changes in arrival date made less than 3 days prior to the scheduled arrival will constitute a cancellation and forfeit of the deposit.
7-14 Day Cottage Reservation Guidelines: All cancellations received more than 30 days in advance will receive deposit refund minus $10 cancellation fee per facility. If a customer requests to cancel less than 30 days in advance, but before 72 hours of arrival, the customer may request refund. If a cottage is rebooked for the time period originally reserved, the park will issue a full refund to the customer minus a $10 cancellation fee. If reservation is cancelled within 72 hours of arrival date, no refund of the one night’s deposit will be given.
Group Shelters
Check-in time is 10 a.m. and check–out time is 9:45 p.m. Guests may pick up group shelter keys at the lodge.
Cancellation/Transfer Policy: Cancellations/Transfers must be made at least 30 days prior to scheduled arrival date. A $10 handling fee per reservation is charged for cancellations. Reservations made within 30 days of arrival are non-refundable and non-transferable. Reservations can be changed one time, at no charge, provided a 30-day notice is given.
Security Deposit: Parks may require a security deposit at check-in. The deposit will be refunded if facilities are returned as they were received.
Hours and Fees
Office Hours - Open at 8 am - 5 pm - Park Hours - 7 am - 10 pm - $5 Parking Fee.
Contact, Address and Driving Directions Info
Park Phone - 706-265-4703 - Campsite and Cottage Reservations: 1-800-864-7275 - You may make reservations up to 11 months in advance, with a maximum of 5 lodge rooms and/or cottages. - Address: 418 Amicalola Falls Lodge Rd, Dawsonville, Georgia 30534 - Driving Directions: Located 15 miles northwest of Dawsonville on GA Hwy 52. Take Hwy 53 W to Hwy 183 N to Hwy 52 E/Dawsonville on GA Hwy 52. Take Hwy 53 W to Hwy 183 N to Hwy 52 E.
General Park Info
Individual Reservations - You may make reservations up to 11 months in advance, with a maximum of 5 lodge rooms and/or cottages.
Deposits - Deposits are required for all reservations. Credit card deposits are posted when the reservation is made.
Reservations Changes - (Changes in arrival dates, transfers, etc.) - You may make one change without a charge, provided a 3-day notice is given. Additional changes will incur a $10 per reservation handling fee.
George ParkPass - (Applies to ALL park/lodge activities) - All vehicles must display a current ParkPass, which may be purchased at check-in. The daily ParkPass is good for the entire length of stay. An Annual ParkPass is available through the park/lodge office. ParkPasses are available for 12 passenger or less vehicles, 13-30 passenger vehicles (vans/buses), and more than 30 passenger vehicles (buses).
Individual Reservations 