Photo: Thomson20192, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
This 829-acre park is in the northeast Georgia Mountain area. It has the tallest state park waterfall, at 729 feet the tallest waterfall in Georgia and the third-highest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi. There are several hiking trails, including an entrance to the Appalachian Trail, plus a lodge, cottages, and camping.
- Address280 Amicalola Falls State Park Rd, Dawsonville, GA 30534
- Park HoursOpen year-round during daylight hours
- Visitor Center8 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily
- Parking Fee$10 per vehicle (ParkPass); $70 annual pass
- Park Phone706-265-4703
- Campsite & Shelter Reservations1-800-864-7275
- Lodge, Cottage & Activity Reservations706-344-1500
- GPS CoordinatesN 34.562652, W -84.247627
Lodge and cottage reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance, with a maximum of 5 lodge rooms and/or cottages. Park Facilities Map (PDF)
Driving directions: Located 15 miles northwest of Dawsonville on GA Hwy 52. Take Hwy 53 W to Hwy 183 N to Hwy 52 E.
Tickets, Parking and the Easiest Way to See the Falls
No tickets needed
You do not need a ticket or reservation for a day visit. Every vehicle needs a $10 Georgia State Parks ParkPass, or a $70 annual pass sold at the Lodge or Visitor Center that is good for a year from purchase. Zip lines, guided hikes and other activities are booked separately (706-344-1500).
Hours and the Visitor Center
The park is open year-round during daylight hours. The Visitor Center, which opened in late 2023, is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, with restrooms, a café, Appalachian Trail exhibits and the stone arch behind it that marks the start of the approach trail to Springer Mountain.
Easiest view of the falls
The 0.3-mile West Ridge Falls Access Trail is flat and wheelchair accessible and leads to one of the best views of the falls. For the full climb, the Base of the Falls Trail follows the creek and then climbs the falls on stairs and decks; the staircases along the falls total 604 steps.
Beat the crowds
About 350,000 people visit each year, and fall weekends are the busiest. The park itself suggests a midweek visit. The East Ridge Trail is closed for maintenance as of October 2026, so plan on the West Ridge or Base of the Falls routes.
Park Amenities
- 25 tent, RV & trailer campsites
- 14 cottages (some pet friendly)
- Lodge rooms & 20-room inn
- Conference center
- Restaurant
- Visitor center
- Amphitheater
- 4 picnic shelters
- Group shelter
- Trout fishing stream
- Ranger programs
- Playground
- GeoCaching
- 12 miles of hiking trails
- Appalachian Trail approach
Amicalola Falls Trail Map
Our archived copy of the Georgia State Parks trail map of Amicalola Falls State Park (2009 edition) is a two-page PDF. Page 1 is the park map, showing the trails, the lodge, the campground, picnic shelters, parking, and the visitor center. Page 2 is a trail guide with the length, difficulty, and surface of each trail, plus an elevation profile for each one. Open the Amicalola Falls trail map (PDF).
Trails, parking and buildings have changed since 2009, so use the current maps before you go:
- Amicalola Falls State Park 2024 park map from the Amicalola Falls Lodge (PDF)
- Official Amicalola Falls State Park page for hours, fees and current closures
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Ridge Falls Access Trail | 0.3 mile | Easy to moderate | One of the best views of the falls. Flat, wheelchair accessible, recycled tire surface, gentle slope. |
| Lodge Loop | 0.25 mile loop | Easy | Paved and wheelchair accessible, with educational displays. Lighted for early morning and evening use. |
| Spring Trail | 0.4 mile | Moderate | Orange blaze. Runs from the West Ridge parking lot to the Mountain Laurel Loop. |
| Creek Trail | 0.6 mile | Moderate | Yellow blaze. A walk from the Visitor Center to the Reflection Pool at the base of the falls. |
| Mountain Laurel Loop | 1 mile | Moderate | Green blaze. Runs along the ridge above Amicalola Creek. |
| Base of the Falls Trail | 1 mile | Moderate to strenuous | Red blaze. Follows the creek below the falls, then climbs the falls corridor on stairs and decks. |
| East Ridge Trail | 1 mile | Moderate to strenuous | Not blazed. Leads from the Visitor Center to the top of the falls. Closed for maintenance as of October 2026, according to the park; check at the Visitor Center before you plan around it. |
| Hike Inn Trail | 5.5 miles | Moderate | Yellow blaze. The only access to the Len Foote Hike Inn. A permit from the Visitor Center is required. |
| Appalachian Approach Trail | 8.3 miles | Moderate to strenuous | Blue blaze. Leads to Springer Mountain, the southern end of the Appalachian Trail. |
| Fitness Trail | Loop | Easy | Easy access from the lodge. More than 20 exercise stations along the wooded route. |
Trail lengths and blazes are from the 2009 Georgia State Parks trail map. Trail conditions and closures change, so check at the Visitor Center before you go. Stay on the marked trails and stairs, since the park warns that leaving the designated trail near the falls is dangerous and against park rules. Also see our Best Hikes in North Georgia guide.
Photos
Stairs to the Falls604 steps up the falls corridor
Observation BridgeA mid-falls view on the climb
Lodge ViewsMountain vistas from the lodge
Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Bill Golladay, CC BY-SA 4.0; Bill Golladay, CC BY-SA 4.0; Thomsonmg2000, public domain.
Camping & Lodging
Lodge
Check-in 4 p.m., check-out 11 a.m. Pets are not allowed in or around lodges. Room rates are based on double occupancy (fees charged for additional occupancy).
Cottages
Check-in 4 p.m., check-out 11 a.m. Cottage capacities cannot be exceeded and cannot be used for group gatherings. Dogs are allowed only in cottages designated "pet friendly" (additional fee, reservations required, dogs only).
Pioneer Group Camping
Check-in and check-out are both at 1 p.m. Pets are allowed on a 6’ leash.
Group Shelters
Check-in 10 a.m., check-out 9:45 p.m. Keys are picked up at the lodge. Cancellations/transfers need 30 days' notice ($10 handling fee); changes within 30 days of arrival are non-refundable and non-transferable. A security deposit may be required at check-in, refunded if facilities are returned as received.
General Park Info
Individual Reservations
Reservations may be made 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.
Reservation Changes
One change is allowed at no charge, provided 3 days' notice is given. Additional changes incur a $10 per-reservation handling fee.
ParkPass
Applies to all park and lodge activities. All vehicles must display a current ParkPass, purchased at check-in; a daily pass covers the full length of stay, and an annual pass is available through the park/lodge office. Passes are priced for 12-passenger-or-less vehicles, 13-30 passenger vans/buses, and larger buses.
Wilderness Survival Day at Amicalola Falls
Common Questions
Do you need tickets to visit Amicalola Falls?
No. Day visitors do not need tickets or reservations. Every vehicle needs a $10 Georgia State Parks ParkPass, or a $70 annual pass. Zip lines, guided hikes and lodging are booked separately.
How much does it cost to park at Amicalola Falls?
Parking is $10 per vehicle for a daily Georgia State Parks ParkPass. A $70 annual pass, sold at the Lodge or Visitor Center, is good for one year from the date of purchase.
What is the easiest way to see Amicalola Falls?
Take the West Ridge Falls Access Trail. It is 0.3 mile, flat and wheelchair accessible, and leads to one of the best views of the falls.
How many steps are at Amicalola Falls?
The staircases that climb beside the falls total 604 steps. The Base of the Falls Trail follows the creek and then climbs the falls corridor on those stairs and decks.
What are the hours at Amicalola Falls State Park?
The park is open year-round during daylight hours. The Visitor Center is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.