In the last entry, we explored waterfalls north of Dahlonega, Georgia. There are many more waterfalls in the surrounding area for those that take the time to seek them out.
One of them you won’t want to miss is 729-foot Amicalola Falls. Not only is it the tallest waterfall in Georgia, but it is also one of the highest cascading waterfalls east of the mighty Mississippi River.
Author on bridge for scale – Photos via Dave Helgeson
Amicalola Falls is located in the 829-acre Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge, located near Dawsonville, Georgia west of the Dahlonega area where we have been exploring over the past several entries. The falls name is derived from a word in the Cherokee language meaning “tumbling waters.” The State Park is one of the most popular in the state of Georgia.
There are many options for viewing the falls:
- You can view them at a distance from a peaceful reflecting pond near the bottom of
the falls. No hiking required. - You can view them from the top via a bridge spanning the creek just feet from where it cascades off the edge of the cliff only a short stroll from the parking lot.
- The best view is from several viewing platforms reached via many stairs from the bottom or a bridge spanning the falls about halfway down its cascade. The bridge can be reached via the stairs or also a wheelchair accessible path from a parking area found at N34° 33.927 W84° 14.958
The lower portion of the falls
In addition to the falls, the state park offers camping, zip lines, cabins, a lodge, and hiking trails of varying lengths, including an approach trail to the famed Appalachian Trail or simply the A.T.
Visiting Amicalola Falls State Park
Amicalola Falls State Park is located at 418 Amicalola Falls State Park Rd, Dawsonville, GA 30534, USA. Those navigating by GPS will find the entrance to the park at N34° 33.257 W84° 15.048.
There is a day use fee to visit the park. The park is managed and operated by North Georgia Mountains Authority and Coral Hospitality. Click here to view the concessionaire’s website for the park.
One of the more cribbed campsites
There is a spacious campground with 24 wooded campsites for RVs and tent campers and is suitable for most any size rig. The back-in campsites feature water, power, picnic tables, grills, and fire rings.
RVs in campground
Given the terrain of the area, many campsites are cribbed into or above the rolling hillside. There is an approximately half-mile-long 25% grade to reach the campground and top of the falls viewpoint. Be sure your engine and brakes are up to the task.
Click here for more information on the campground. You can also learn more about the park from CampgroundReviews.com.
See our previous posts near Dahlonega, Georgia:
Dave Helgeson’s many roles in the RV industry started before he even had a driver’s license. His grandparents and father owned an RV dealership before the term “RV” had been coined, and Dave played a pivotal role in nearly every position of an RV dealership. He and his wife Cheri launched their own RV dealership in the Pacific Northwest. The duo also spent 29 years overseeing regional RV shows. Dave has also served as President of a local chapter of the Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA), worked on the board of advisors for the RV Technician Program of a local technical college, and served as a board member of the Manufactured Home and RV Association. Dave’s reputation earned him the title of “The foremost expert on boondocking,” bestowed by RV industry icon, the late Gary Bunzer (The RV Doctor). When he’s not out boondocking, you’ll find Dave in the spotlight at RV shows across the country, giving seminars about all things RVing. He and Cheri currently roam in their fifth travel trailer, with Dave doing all the service, repair and modifications to his own unit.
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