Amicalola Falls

Adventurers access the falls through the state park entrance. From the parking lot, hikers follow the clearly marked signs to the base of the falls. The incline begins by the pond at the base of the falls. From the pond, follow the incline along the cascading portion of the falls to the stairs. At the stairs, ascend to the first viewing platform and snap a few shots of the falls. Continue onward to the bridge for an up close and personal view of the falls. On the other side of the bridge, take the remaining stairs to the top for a view of the surrounding mountains. To return back to their car, hikers have two options—either descend the way they came, or walk down the road. The trip down the stairs is by far the better option, based on scenery alone.

The only way to get a close view of the falls is to use the stairs, but for hikers who are leery of the climb, they might have the option to park at the top and walk down. The only catch is finding a ride back to the top, so plan ahead.

For hikers looking for a more adventurous day, there is the option to continue to Springer Mountain. Nestled at the southern tip of the Appalachian trail, Amicalola Falls hosts many through-hikers each summer seeking to start their 2100 mile journey from Springer Mountain to Katadin in Maine. The hike out and back will add an additional 17 miles, but it is a very enjoyable and rolling adventure. For more on that trek, see: Hike to Springer Mountain, the Southern Terminous of the Appalachian Trail.