Name: Amicalola Falls Base of the Falls
Rating: 5

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Amicalola Falls Base of the Falls Amicalola Falls State Park, GA

LENGTH 0.7 MILES

DIFFICULTY 2.6 Easy

DURATION 1 hour

ELEVATION GAIN

290

feet

TRAIL TYPE

There And
Back Again

Amicalola Falls Base of the Falls

Hike to the base of the highest waterfall in Georgia and one of the state's seven natural wonders, the 729-foot Amicalola Falls. Travel along a rushing creek to the base of this impressive falls. You'll also travel along the official AT approach trail that leads to Springer Mountain. Dogs are allowed but are not recommended to take on the grated metal steps.

The most popular route to Amicalola Falls is at the end of the road straight past the Visitor Center. If that lot is full, you can add the Creek Trail for a longer hike from the parking area at the Visitor Center.

If you take the Creek Trail, it's fairly easy to navigate; just follow the signs to the base of the falls. This adds a mile round trip to the hike. From the Reflection Pool, go around to the left, heading up the steep paved-gravel path. After a quarter mile, you'll reach you're first view of Amicalola Falls.

Head up over 175 steps to reach the bridge crossing the base of the falls from a bridge crossing above powerful cascades. In the right conditions you can get a little wet here. If the first set of steps wasn't enough for you, make this a loop hike and take on another 425 steps to reach the top of the falls.

Explore more trails at Amicalola Falls State Park.

Amicalola Falls Base of the Falls.
Stop by the Visitor Center on the way in for merch, snacks, and restrooms.

Amicalola Falls Base of the Falls.
If you can't park near the reflection pool, park near the Visitor Center and take the Creek Trail for a little more length and difficulty.

Amicalola Falls Base of the Falls.
Park near the reflection pool and head around it to begin this hike.

Amicalola Falls Base of the Falls.
Cross over the creek fed from the falls.

Amicalola Falls Base of the Falls.
A rough paved-gravel path leads you to the falls.

Amicalola Falls Base of the Falls.
Smaller waterfalls on the way up.

Amicalola Falls Base of the Falls.
Looking up at Amicalola Falls from the base of the steps.

Amicalola Falls Base of the Falls.
175 steps separate you from the falls.

Amicalola Falls Base of the Falls.
Heading up to the falls. Dogs are not recommended due to the grated metal steps.

Amicalola Falls Base of the Falls.
Almost there now.

Amicalola Falls Base of the Falls.
Walking along the bridge directly in front of the falls.

Amicalola Falls Base of the Falls.
Looking up at the impressive Amicalola Falls.

Elevation Map Length (miles) by Elevation (feet)

Terrain Map Click to control map

Details

length0.7 miles

difficulty2.6 Easy

duration1 hour

features Paved Path River/Stream Waterfall

trail typeThere And Back Again

blazeBlue

elevation gain290 ft.

state Georgia

park/forestAmicalola Falls State Park

visitor infoAmicalola Falls Visitor Center
280 Amicalola Falls State Park Road
Dawsonville, GA 30534
706-265-4703

hours7am - 10pm (Park)
9am - 5pm (Visitor Center, Sun - Wed)
9am - 7pm (Visitor Center, Thu - Sat)

parking fee$5/Day, $50 Annual Pass

trailhead coordinates 34.563486, -84.246857 (Degree Decimal, DegDec)
N 34°33.81, W 84°14.81 (Degree Minutes, MinDec)
N 34°33'49'', N 34°33'49'' (Degree Minutes Seconds, DMS)

Trailhead Directions

N 34°33.81, W 84°14.81

Google Map It

When you enter the park, drive straight past the Visitor Center to the end of the road. If there is no parking here, park at the Visitor Center and take the Creek Trail.

Notes

Dogs are allowed at the park but won't do well on the grated metal steps leading up to the falls.

Stay on the maintained paths. Wet rocks can be very slippery.

Nearby Hikes

Amicalola Falls Lower Loop

Springer Mountain Loop

Similar Hikes

Amicalola Falls Lower Loop

Upper Whitewater Falls Loop

0.8 mi

2.5

Upper Whitewater Falls

0.5 mi

1.2

Reviews / Comments

Average Review Rating

5 (2)

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Smokey12-4 years ago

A winner any time!

We did the Creek trail and it was a really pretty hike. The steps are daunting and although we've done all of them before, we opted just to do the 175. You just have to stand in awe of the falls!

Easy-Medium | Hiked Winter 2020

hikethesouth-5 years ago

Take the Short Route to Georgia's Highest Waterfall

This is a perfect short hike for those not looking for anything too challenging. Standing below the powerful Amicalola Falls is absolutely worth this short trip. Do it.

Easy | Hiked Summer 2018

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Disclaimer: Hiking can be dangerous. The information on this site is meant as a guide and represents trail conditions at a given time. Always let someone know where you are going. A basic knowledge of first aid, backcountry navigation, and some common sense are highly encouraged. The difficulty and duration ratings are subjective and will not be representative of everyone's experience.

Disclaimer Disclaimer: Falling off a cliff, drowning in a river, or being eaten by a bear is still a better way to go than dying of a heart attack while sitting in traffic on the way to the office.