Amicalola Falls State Park

Georgia’s Springer Mountain means something to hikers on the Appalachian Trail (AT).  It’s either the long-awaited end to a southbound trek on the AT, or the highly anticipated beginning of a northbound journey.  Either way, this southern terminus of the AT has become indelibly etched in the memories of thousands of AT hikers who vividly remember setting off from or ending up on Springer Mountain.

Given the 2,150-mile length of the AT, the last thing most hikers want to think of is adding yet more miles to their trip.  But by appending a mere eight miles, hikers can add a couple of very enjoyable memories to their AT experience. 

The gently sloping Southern Terminus Approach Trail continues south from the AT at Springer Mountain through the Chattahoochee National Forest, following the last gasps of the Blue Ridge Mountains as they peter out in northern Georgia.  The trail eventually ends up in Amicalola Falls State Park a 1500-acre state park that is becoming increasingly popular with hikers from nearby Atlanta.  The state park has campsites, cottages and a lodge and is home to its namesake, Amicalola Falls.  The Falls--which is actually seven separate cascades—is the southeast’s tallest waterfall, tumbling 729 feet down a terraced mountainside.  This stair-step tumble forms a splashy and spectacular display that disappears and reappears through the thick southern forests wreathing the falls.

Many AT hikers use the state park as their embarkation or debarkation point for the AT.  And quite a few more day hikers sample the forested highlands of northern Georgia using the Approach Trail, which begins just behind the Upper Falls parking lot at the park.  From there it’s a steady uphill climb for the next eight miles as the trail follows the ridgeline up Frosty Mountain into the cool reaches of the southern Appalachians.  Add this leg to your Appalachian Trail experience and you’ll have the backdrop of the falls to add to your recollections.   The approach trail is wooded and although it follows the top of Frosty Mountain for much of its length, not particularly scenic.

There is another alternative that is more scenic and provides an even more unforgettable supplement to your AT experience. This is the Len Foote Hike Inn Trail, which also begins in the Upper Falls parking lot.  This trail climbs upward into the mountains for five miles, crossing sparkling mountain streams, meandering through blossoming mountain laurel thickets and tunneling under towering rhododendron, eventually joining the approach trail about 3-1/2 miles before Springer Mountain.  Clinging to the side of the mountain, the trail periodically breaks out of the surrounding green shield to reveal startlingly expansive vistas of the Georgia countryside. 

But the best surprise comes at the end of the trail: the welcoming gray outline of Len Foote Hike Inn.  This backcountry lodge opened in November of 1998 and is one of the newest additions to Georgia’s state park system.  The five-mile trail is the only way to reach the inn but that hasn’t deterred a steady stream of hikers from trekking up the mountain to experience its unique mixture of simplicity and comfort.  The lodge, a complex of twenty rooms surrounding an airy, two-story central lobby, and an attached dining room, bathhouse (with hot showers), and common room, is a modern, rustic structure with plenty of windows.  The inn sits amidst a lush forest of mountain laurel, rhododendron, and majestic oak and hickory trees.  Continue another mile past the Inn and the trail runs into the Approach Trail and continues on to Springer Mountain.

The Inn offers a comfortable decompression before setting out on the AT or a welcome and warm ending after finishing up.   Sitting 3100 feet up near the peak of Frosty Mountain, it overlooks a scenic panorama of the surrounding area.  At night you can see the twinkling lights of the city of Dahlonega off to the southeast.  But to the east and north all is dark, the thick forests undeveloped and pitch black.  (In case you are wondering who Len Foote is, he was a Georgia outdoorsman who was the model for the “Mark Trail” comic strip).  If a night of R & R at the Inn isn’t enough to convince you to set out for Mt. Katahdin on the other end of the AT, you can still do some hiking within the park to whet your appetite.

Day hikers use the park’s Falls Trail and the East and West Ridge Trails.  The Falls Trail is actually a steep but easy path that winds from the foot of the falls, following the cascade up the mountain to the top of the falls.  The East Ridge Trail is also an easy 2.5 miles loop that begins and ends at the park’s visitor’s center.  This trail leads to an overlook at the top of the falls that doesn’t really give a great view of the falls since you’re basically standing at the top over and behind the waterfall.  But it does offer a nice look at the north Georgia forests in the valley below.  From here the hike is a piece of cake—payback for the uphill stretch you just covered.  This part of the loop is downhill all the way back to the visitor’s center.  Follow the West Ridge Spring Road to the West Ridge Trail to Upper West Ridge Trail.  You’ll come to another overlook, this one with a better view of Amicalola Falls.  After a rest with the mist of the falls cooling your face, continue down the mountain back to your starting spot. 

If you’re an AT thru-hiker experiencing the park as a an appetizer or dessert to your journey, or a day hiker making your entire trip a day or two there, add Amicalola Falls State Park to your itinerary to experience this bit of northern Georgia wilderness.

Details:  Amicalola Falls State Park is located near Dawsonville, GA, about sixty-five miles from Atlanta. The park has 17 campsites, 14 cottages, and a lodge with restaurant.  The park’s information number is 706-265-8888.  Reservations for the Len Foote Hike Inn can be made at 800-864-7275.