GA State Park
As soon as you pass through our gates, you’ll see why Amicalola Falls State Park is one of the most popular parks in the South. With 829 acres of beautiful North Georgia mountain wilderness in the heart of the Chattahoochee National Forest, Amicalola Falls is just one of five Georgia State Parks with a lodge and restaurant.
Amicalola, a Cherokee Indian word meaning “tumbling waters,” is an appropriate name for the 729-foot falls, the third-highest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi River. While Amicalola Falls is the most notable feature of the park, there are many other reasons visitors have been flocking to this site since it was established as a state park in 1940.
Many beautiful and diverse hiking and walking trails wind through the park and activities are abundant at the Amicalola Falls Visitors Center. One of the most popular trails, the eight-mile Approach Trail leads from the park to Springer Mountain, the southern terminus of the 2,193-mile Appalachian Trail.
Overnight accommodations at our Georgia mountain resort include 57 comfortable lodge rooms, 14 cozy rental cabins and 24 wooded campsites. On-site activities include ziplining, trout fishing, guided hikes, GPS scavenger hunts, and 3-D archery. The park is often used to host corporate events, family reunions and group retreats and is a popular destination wedding location.
Whether you want to relax in the natural confines of the wooded campground, explore the Dawsonville, GA area or hike miles of mountain trails, Amicalola Falls State Park is ready for whatever Georgia activities you have in mind.
Amicalola Falls State Park is accessible year-round during daylight hours.
Visitor Center Hours
Monday – Thursday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday – Sunday from 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
All vehicles entering Amicalola State Park require a $5 GA State Park Pass.
Frequent park visitors can save money with a $50 Annual Park Pass available at the Lodge or Visitor’s Center. Passes are good for one year from the purchase date.
Avoid the crowds and find more opportunities open for activities by scheduling a mid-week visit.
Calling all high school students interested in learning more about a career in Parks Services. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Career Academy is a week-long, overnight program July 21-27, 2024, to explore future career paths with Georgia DNR. Georgia technical college credit may even be available for completing the program. Applications due November 30, 2023.
Learn more and apply online at www.GaDNR.org/CareerAcademy.
Please be aware that American black bears have been spotted within the park and campgrounds. Black bears have been known to be territorial and food-aggressive if fed by people.
What you should do
Your safety and well-being is our top priority at Amicalola Falls State Park. Wild bears will typically keep their distance from approaching humans. However, a bear’s natural behavior can change if fed human food or garbage. Fed bears can become aggressive and may have to be killed for public safety. For your protection, wildlife laws will be enforced.
Few things in life are better than waking up on top of a mountain and breathing in the crisp mountain air as you unzip your tent or open your camper door. With 24 wooded campsites accommodating everything from tents to RVs, the campground at Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge is the ideal location for your next Georgia adventure.
At the top of a 25% incline, you will find each one of our well-maintained campsites is an easy pull-in or back-in site with water, power, grill and fire ring. A premier location for Georgia State parks camping, Amicalola Falls State Park’s two-dozen sites are in great shape with ample space and privacy. Campsites have a six-person occupancy limit, and tents must fit on designated tent pads. Check in services for campsites, are located at the lodge and ADA accessible camping is also available.
We are a pet-friendly State Park as long as your pets are friendly and always kept on a short sturdy leash not exceeding 6 feet in length. Please be courteous to other patrons and be responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of our park and trails by cleaning up after your animals. Contact Reservations 1-800-573-9656 for overnight accommodations that include your canine companion.
Pet owners, please note that several trails near the falls do include metal grate steps. While the steps are in place to ensure secure footing for our human guests, the steps can sometimes be a challenge for our furry friends.
Below the falls, the Reflection Pool that feeds into Little Amicalola Creek is stocked regularly with trout for catch-and-release fishing. Georgia State Fishing Regulations do apply on park grounds and park guests looking to fish in the Reflection Pool must be prepared to present an appropriate fishing license.
