Amicalola Falls State Park | A Guide & Personal Experience

Tyler Aug 19, 2024
4 People Read
Amicalola Falls State Park, top of the views from the summit

In 2021, while visiting Blue Ridge, Georgia, I hiked Amicalola Falls. Amicalola Falls State Park is located in the Chattahoochee National Forest in Blue Ridge, Georgia. It is a 729-foot-high waterfall in northern Georgia. It’s a beautiful hike to enjoy. 

 

This guide provides an intriguing overview of what to do at Amicalola Falls State Park, as well as my personal experiences. Overall, this is a wonderful experience, and I would tell anybody coming across Amicalola Falls that it is a must-see. You can do this hike with regular sneakers, although I wore my hiking boots, the Merrell Moab 3

Base Of Amicalola Falls at the reflection pool


 

Amicalola Falls Vistor Center

 

The Amicalola Falls Visitor Center opens at 8:30 a.m., and it's open until 5:00 p.m. Your hike can start at the Visitor Center, where you're at the base.

You must take the Creek Trail, which is 1.6 miles from the visitor center to the reflection pool. The reflection pool represents the bottom of the waterfall, and there's a lovely telescope to look through to see the top.

Beginning of hike at Amicalola Falls State Park, waterfall


Amicalola Falls Hike

 

To be honest, I completed this hike in the scorching heat of Georiga Summer. It was a pretty tough hike. Starting off at the bottom of the waterfall, the breathtaking views of the water rushing down made it difficult not to stop and take a picture. Once you reach the bottom of the waterfall, you begin ascending a total of 425 steps. This can be exhausting, but you should stop, rest, and rehydrate.

Start of Asphalt Path near stairs of Amicalola Falls

 

I had to stop several times to rest during the trail, but it was totally worth it once I got to the top. You transversed across 425 steps take a second to give yourself a pat on the back. It took us about an hour to go from bottom to top, and another 45 minutes to get back down.

 

You'll see amazing sights along the way, but the top view is the best. We took over a half hour gazing at the forest in front of you; it is definitely a site to see.


Top of Amicalola Falls looking over trees

 


Trails at Amicalola Falls

 

Georgia Appalacian Trail: We did not hike this during our visit to Amicalola Falls, but it is an 8-mile approach trail that leads you to the base of Springer Mountain. We heard that a few people took this trail during our ascent up the waterfall; they were very impressed and said it was worth it.

 

Creek Trail: This trail, located 6 miles from the visitor center, is essential for ascending the waterfall's stairs.

 

The West Ridge Falls Access Trail: is a ⅓ of a mile trail that will take you straight to the bottoms of the waterfalls.

Waterfalls flowing down Amicalola Falls


What to do at Amicalola Falls

There are still many things to do in Amicalola Falls State Park, even if you do not go up the stairs. We did a zip-line tour, which was well worth it. Other activities include GPS scavenger hunts and guided tours.


 

Is Amicalola Falls worth visiting?

 

Yes, Amicalola Falls is absolutely worth visiting. Take a strenuous hike here to earn your views. The views at the top are indescribable. It’s more than worth it to take a trip to Amicalola Falls. 


Frequently Asked Questions

 

Can you see Amicalola Falls without hiking?

Yes, you can drive to the top for the views instead of hiking.

 

How long is the hike up Amicalola Falls?

You can climb the stairs in an hour or less from the bottom.

Adventure Awaits,

Tyler