Amicalola Falls State Park Camping

Beautiful setting right at the start of the Appalachian Trail. Campsites were spacious and well maintained. Showers have heaters for cold weather. We stayed 3 days to hike the AT Approach Trail which is a loop from camp to the HikeInn. 10 miles gave us a good sense of what the AT is all about! Check out the waterfall, the lodge overlook, and do some hiking!

Small camping loop st the bottom of a hill

This was one of the unexpected highlights of our trip to the Smokey Mountains.   Amazing views, good walking/hiking.  A bit strenuous climbing the 400+ steps from the base of the waterfall to the top, but well worth it!

Thanksgiving getaway

Great place to go hiking in the outdoors with friends and family. 

Hiking!!

If you're taking off on the AT, then you need to get walking. However, if you want a small taste of the AT and would like to camp out near the starting point, then this is a great place to be.
Even if your adventuring has nothing to do with the AT, and you want some great north Georgia camping, it's still a great spot.

A Great Spot Near the Appalachian Trail

This 730ft cascading waterfall is accessible by stairs and bridge from top to bottom. It's proximity to Atlanta can cause the area around the falls to fill up quick so the earlier or colder the better. Besides camping this park also accesses Len Foote Hike Inn one of Georgia's only backcountry lodges. 

Georgia's tallest waterfall

great park has good trails that can give you a good workout , you can take a trail to start the Appalachian Trail  or go t the Hike Inn a backwoods resort, and many other things 

tallest cascading waterfall in the Southeast

Loved my visit to this wonderful park.  I enjoyed hiking parts of the trail and seeing the trail head for the Appalachian Trail, inspiring.  The hike to the Falls was amazing.  There is a wonderful Lodge at the top of the Falls too.  So much beautiful scenery along the way.  I am ready to go back!!!!!

Tallest Waterfall Around

Amiccalola Falls is AMAZING!!

Each year we take a trip to celebrate the anniversary I was supposed to be born haha 

Birthday tradition 

**Ranger Review: Primus Micron Lantern - Steel Mesh at Amicalola Falls State Park**

**Campground: Amicalola Falls State Park, GA**

"It" all doesn't start here...but for those desiring to begin the AT from the Southern Terminus Acces Trail it sure does. The Approach trail is 8.3 miles to Springer Mountain from the lower **Amicalola State Park** parking lot. So there is more history and lore here than meets the eye. This in and of itself makes this State Park unique...but there is much more.

If you enjoy hiking, even the least little bit, Amicalola State Park is for you. http://gastateparks.org/AmicalolaFalls If you visit their website it sends you to Adventure Lodges, which then reveals all this State Park has to offer. Zip Line, Team Building Course, Fitness Trail, The Rock Climbing Wall, Birds of Prey, Survivalist Camp, campground, cabins, and a beautiful mountaintop Lodge.

The Lodge is nice...very nice. Front desk personnel are very friendly and helpful, as is the ground crew (they always know the best places to go and how to get there). The entire back of the Lodge has long mountain views and faces West, so you can enjoy gorgeous sunsets from your room, the dining area, or an outside deck. We did not stay at the lodge, so I cannot comment on the rooms, but it appeared full from the parking lot.

Even if you registered for your campsite online, you still go to the front desk of the Lodge to register and get your Park tag and site tag. At the time of this writing, I paid $30 which included a $5 Park fee.

Just so you are aware, the road leading up the hill to the campground is a 25% incline. It's steep. So if you are bringing your bicycles and ride down the hill...keep it mind the climb back up. In fact, there is little flat terrain in this entire park. All foot trails go up or down...with the exception of one trail leading from a parking lot to the middle of Amicalola Falls (which is where most photos are taken). Interesting sidenote: that trail to the middle of the falls is made entirely from recycled tires...and I believe it is ADA accessible.

There are several rental cabins (14 total) in two different areas. Five cabins on the lower entrance level, just below Reflection Pond and across from picnic pavilions and playgrounds. Nine cabins are on a roadway just below the campground. All the cabins appeared large and well-equipped.

The campground has 24 sites...17 sites along the outside of the loop and 7 sites on the inside of the loop. The showerhouse/restrooms/laundry is to the right upon entering the loop, just past the host site (which was vacant during our visit). Absent a host, may have accounted for the unkept restroom and filthy showers (2 per gender). A small picnic shelter is located in the center of the loop, and there is basketball hoop oddly placed between two handicap parking spots. Horseshoe pits are between the basketball hoop and the picnic shelter.

Staying at site 15 afforded us some privacy, as the campground was half full on a Tuesday night. The campground sites have been masterful carved out of the mountain...and are pretty near level. Each site has a parking pad, large enough for a RV/Camper...a picnic table, lantern post, a fire ring w/grate and a separate charcoal grill...a water spigot, electrical box and a tent pad. Well thought out. The parking pad and picnic/grill area was a fine gravel chip and the tent pad was a fine pea gravel. Because the sites are hewn out of the mountain, 3/4 of the site is surrounded by timber retention walls with a timber fence around the top...masterfully done, I might add.

When choosing a site online...google earth the campground...this will give you a pretty good idea of the layout. Keep in mind the flow of the roadway, headlights shine directly into sites like 5 and 6 as people drive through. The campground was pretty quiet during the day and graveyard quiet (with the exception of owls hooting) and black as ink at night. Sleeping without a rainfly rewarded us with wonderful stargazing.

If you are ambitious and enjoy vertical hiking, the Falls trail will meet your needs. However, if you want to enjoy the Falls with half the effort...simply drive to the three different parking areas with minimal walking to get plenty of photos. The Falls were beautiful in late August, but I imagine with spring rains it is more impressive.

A great campground to visit and explore!

**Product Review: Primus Micron Lantern - Steel Mesh**

As a product reviewer for theDyrt.com, on occasion I am given products to test and evaluate...such is the case with the **Primus Micron Lantern** - (Steel Mesh). https://primus.us/products/micron-lantern-steel-mesh

Primus actually makes five different lanterns, three burn butane and two are battery operated.

I have owned and still own several large camp lanterns of various brand and fuel source...and back in the 80's owned what was, at the time, considered a small backpacking one mantle lantern...but none compare to the miniscule size of the Primus Micron Lantern.

You can get the Micron Lantern in two models, one with frosted glass and this one with stainless steel mesh. Not being known as particularly gentle, I chose the Steel Mesh version. Weighing in at a diminutive 4.4 oz, it weighs nothing in your pack.

I preferred the robust stainless steel mesh version over the frosted glass globe version. There are great reviews on the frosted glass globe version, slightlty heavier at 6 oz, yet puts out more lumens...but I would certainly be too rough for glass. Even though the steel mesh version of the Micron Lantern is more durable and can take a beating...the mantle is what can suffer. With that in mind, always carry a couple spares.

Speaking of the mantles...you need to purchase additonal "two hole" or "two opening" mantles, which I found at a local big box store, and keep them as insurance. Tear a burned mantle, and its worthless...you must remove the fragments and put a fresh one on.

I was pretty impresse with the durability of the Micron Lantern-Steel Mesh. It stuffed nicely into my backpack, and took as much space as a rolled pair of socks. I couldn't see it happening, but even if you could crush the stainless steel mesh housing...you can pick up a new one directly off Primus' site for a tad more than a Franklin.

I will encourage you to read the provided instructions for operation and set up. Without doing so, you may fumble around a bit and waste time. After following the instructions, it is quite simple and straightforward.

You will notice there is a conveniently, handy integrated piezo electric " Easy Trigger Ignition"...and it couldn't be any easier.

Permit me to walk you through set up, if you will. I found it easier to attach it to an isobutane cannister to make it more stable and stand on its own. After attaching it to the cannister, observe that at the bottom rim of the steel mesh "globe" there are two symbols stamped into the metal...one of a closed lock and one of an open lock. You will also observe a small tab on the steel mesh...that is your position indicator, depending which symbol it is behind. The bottom rim with the stamped lock symbols is actually part of the base. I am assuming that the lantern has either just been pulled from the box or has not been operating...because you would be incredibly unwise to touch the steel mesh anytime soon after its operation. A trip to the hospital would be high on the list with third degree burns.

By holding the base, twist the steel mesh globe in the direction of the unlock symbol and pull straight off...simple. You'll notice the "locking" cutouts on the rim. It is possible when reassembling the steel mesh globe back to the base to put the marking tab on the opposite side, thus foiling your indication if its locked or unlocked...though it'll still function that way.

Once the steel mesh is off, take your time to slide the larger of the two mantile openings over the fuel post. You will have to use care in weaving the piezo electric starter wire through one of the small holes in the side of the mantle. If I could do it easily, you can too. There is a small rim on the fuel post for the bottom of the mantle to fit snuggly on...as there is one for the top mantle opening. Once into place, pull the sides of the mantle outward to make it as round as possible. Now you are ready to light the mantle and "burn it down." This may sound counterintuitive, if you have not done this before, but its just how its done. With a sturdy lighter, keep the flame on the mantle until it burns completely and uniformily white...and when 99% done, open the fuel valve which will ignite the mantle and light your world. Allow it to burn for a few minutes and then shut off the fuel. Reattach the steel mesh globe (properly) and twist it to the lock position. Done!

Now you can turn on your fuel valve, "trigger" the piezo electric ignition and Bingo!..you have light. It is adjustable, if you want it lower for some abiance. While there are varying reviews over the lumens and wattage the Micron Lantern puts out, it appeared to me to be a little brighter than a 70 watt bulb in total darkness.

The Primus Micron Lantern - Steel Mesh is a lightweight and packable light...worthy for both your backpacking adventures or your campground visits!

It all starts here...

We had a blast. Perfect time of year and a great way to start our 24 hour adventure challenge!

Octoberquest - 24 hour adventure challenge 

This campground has everything you need. The tent pads are new with nice and level gravel. The facilities are great and the camp host was helpful, even during the cold winter months we were there. If the weather decides to turn on you, you can head into their lodge or rent a cabin. You cannot beat all this being next to one of the largest cascading waterfalls on the east coast and the beginning/end of the AT.

A touch of everything 

Beautiful falls if you can get to the top. Moderate hike to the top of the falls.

Stunning

The camping locations vary from tents to cabins. The locations is beautiful. The AT approach begins here at the visitors center and continues for 8 miles to Springer Mountain. It is strenuous hiking up the falls, but absolutely worth it. You won’t be disappointed. There is also a fitness trail and a wheelchair/stroller friendly trail by the lodge. Don’t miss out on the ranger talks. We were able to see a few raptors. Very cool!

Beautiful location!

This is the park for every one. To walk in backcountry sites to a room in their lodge, everyone should make a trip out here. They have so many activities and things to do.

A room with a view

we really enjoyed our night here. it was beautiful and peaceful! the bathrooms could have been cleaner but overall it was great! 

a wonderful place

This campground is great for a range of campers who enjoy hiking or just looking at a beautiful waterfall. We planned a night here before starting a section hike on the AT. The short hike up from the welcome center let us know we were perfectly unprepared with backpacks over 40lbs.The next day the grounds keeper let us stow extra weight from our packs in the storage area so we didn’t have to hike back down to our cars.

The bathrooms were nice enough and warm in November. Also the area had plenty of firewood to forage if you didn’t bring your own. Unfortunately it had rained the previous day so we should have bought a starter log and firewood at the welcome center.

We were only there 1 night, but I could see spending a few days and enjoying the area. Very accommodating to tents or campers.

Fabulous place to kick off the AT

The hiking trails are amazing. The falls are beautiful. It was very busy parking was a bit of a challenge but worth it. Will definitely go back.

Great hike

Beautiful views from high up on the mountain. Spectacular waterfalls and hiking trails. They also have a really nice restaurant and lodge at the top. 

Great mountainous campground 

This campground was much smaller than I thought it would be for an attraction as big as the falls and Appalachian Approach Trail, but it was lovely.  The outer sites offered plenty of privacy and shade.  Lots of cute little snails moseying along. The campsite is close enough to walk to the lodge to have a meal, but don't plan on supper at the lodge on Mother's Day.  They apparently closed the restaurant down early.  The staff was super sweet though and gave us a boxed lunch.  After a peaceful night of rest at the campsite, we drove down to the visitor center and began the Appalachian Approach Trail.  The waterfall view was great at midpoint, especially since it had just rained.  It was 8.5 miles to Springer Mountain with lots of friendly people to chat with along the way.  There were plenty of places to stop for a rest or to camp overnight.  We decided to hike all 17 miles in one day and it was tough.  Overall it's a beautiful place and we would definitely stay here again.

Peaceful and serene

Very small campground, most sites were not level. There is water and electric, and a dump station.
The Appalachian Trail approach trail starts here.
The waterfall is pretty, with lots of views over the Smokeys. Ferns are everywhere.

Highest waterfall in Georgia 

This is an absolutely gorgeous park.  As the gateway to the Appalachian Trail, the hiking and views here are incredible.

Breathtaking 

This popular state park is the jumping off point for hikers headed to Maine on the Appalachian Trail as well as those hiking to Len Foote Hike Inn. The vistas at the lodge are worth the trip inside and there are great viewing decks where you can eat your own picnic or packed lunch. The Maple Restaurant is also inside. There are cottages and campgrounds. The campground sites are nice and roomy for RVs and the loops contain a covered pavilion and horseshoe pit. This is a hiker's state park with lots of trails from moderate to strenuous. The Falls are the real centerpiece with a set of stairs leading to the top which is incorporated into the AT approach trail. There is a also a small reflection pond where people can fish. I went in the middle of the week  in the summer and it was not crowded but it is clearly a place that can get crowded due to its popularity. It's an easy car camp trip that gets you high enough in elevation to cool off a little in the summer but is not too far of a drive from Atlanta. 

A North Georgia Classic

When you arrive at the state park you need to go straight to the lodge to check in. There is a VERY steep climb(25%) so if you are pulling a travel trailer be prepared! This climb will test your vehicles pulling power. 

There is a winding parking lot at the main entrance of the hotel to park while registering. You may want to call to verify where to park with Travel Trailer or RV while signing in. 

  

Most of the 24 sites in the camping loop are level and stepped along the terrain. The tent pads are gravel and were smaller than our large tent– but we managed and tied off on the railings since there was no place to put stakes in. Sites are great for RV’s Campers and 4 person tents(square). Sites 23 and 23 are easy to back in large RV. For site map visit https://www.amicalolafallslodge.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Amicalola-Falls-Adventure-Lodge-GA-State-Park-Park-Map.pdf 

  

Bathroom was older but clean and everything functioned as it should 

  

The fun was not to be had in the campground but all over the park! There was access to the top and middle of the falls. Best place to photograph the fall is from the West Ridge Fall Access Trail and it is ADA accessible! There is a reflection pond where you can fish for stocked trout, a nice day hike to Len Foote Hike Inn, &amp; amazing view from the lodge(and a great breakfast buffet!). Their map showed a rock climbing wall, Go Pro Park, 3D archery range, fitness trail, team building course, and Survivalist camp– we did not even get to these on our stay! There is also a gift shop at the lodge. Down near the entrance of the park is the ranger station, gift shop and the start of the approach trail to the“AT”– that takes you up the steps next to the falls and on to Springer Mountain. There are many pavilions there that can be rented for special events also. 

  

Up near the lodge (above the falls) is the new zip line attraction! We did not have time to try it out but it looked super fun! 

  

You will need a vehicle to get around to all these places in the park(unless you love hiking major elevation changes)

Beautiful Views - Lot's to do

Great place in the mountains. Steep incline, wouldn't want to do it in the dark. Lots of awesome things to do including the big waterfall! 

Love this place

We had a great little weekend in our travel trailer. Couldn’t have been happier with the site and facilities. Only disappointment was seeing the litter people have thrown in the falls. A park worker their said they have to bring a group 2-3 times a year to remove the trash that tourists throw into the falls. Last haul weighed 80 lbs. 

Great get away, excellent facilities

I visited Amicalola Falls State Park to complete the Georgia State Canyon Challenge. A definite place you want to visit! The climb up will literally take your breath away. Once at the top the view will take your breath away again. 
The Appalachian Trail marker is beside the Visitors Center and there are more then one trail up and around the falls. The campground is nice and busy, nice facilities. Reserve ahead for the good spots.

What a climb!

Large Level protected spots with electric and water.  New Shower Bathrooms with laundry,  at the Top of a large hill “Better have a Good Transmission” Very Enjoyable Spot to stay for a few nights!

GREAT SPOT to camp

We only stayed one night before hiking out to the Len Foote Hike Inn the next day but we were impressed and will come back soon.  The spots are nicely maintained and spread out pretty good, we had enough privacy and plenty of space.  The fire pit was clean and water/electric all worked.  The bathroom and shower facilities were extremely clean and there are 2 laundry setups too.

Nice base camp before the Hike Inn

Small, but awesome campground with large campsites. Stayed at campsite 15 in April 2019 and Campsite 13 in July 2020. The bathrooms have just been renovated this year and are nice and clean and well kept. They did not have ice at the Welcome center and told us to drive 5 miles to a dollar store. There is a lodge just up the hill that has plenty of ice and should sell it to campers! Otherwise the campsites are nice and private dug into the side of a hill. We loved hiking around the grounds and the falls are stunning. Highly recommend!

Beautiful campground

I read a lot before my trip, so I knew to except the 25% grade incline going up to the campground. I wasn’t however expecting the challenging parking in the campsite. Beautiful area, my teens loved it. They found all kinds of insects they had never seen even a Luna moth.

Beautiful area

Amicalola Falls is well known for a reason: the view is truly gorgeous. But it is always insane with crowds of people. It makes for a really slow going making your way up, and there’s very little peace to be had when you’re there. It’s tough enough to enjoy under those circumstances, but when you note that many are also not wearing masks, you start to get skittish. 

Scenic, but always crowded

RV/tent camping and cabin rentals.  Campsites had wifi and pretty good tv signal.  There's also a lodge/hotel on site with a restaurant, with gorgeous views overlooking the valley below. Camping sites are spaced well apart with electric, water and fire rings.  The campgrounds also feature a bathhouse and laundry. 

Begin your Appalachian Trail journey here with 604 steps to the top of a beautiful waterfall.

Has it all

We tent camped at Amicolola in early May 2020...ir was cold one night but we built a great fire in the firepit which kept us warm.The camp sites are spacios gravel and fenced.I was very impressed with the cleanliness of the park and the amenities, the restrooms were very well kept and the park manager was gracious.  They have a water fall and several trails leading dow to a well stocked pond.  My grandson caughed dinner...yum.  I thoroughly enjoyed our stay and plan to go back.

One of my favorites

The largest waterfall in Georgia and the 3rd largest in the Southeast. They have paid camping and you can also hike the AT trail and find free remote camping.

Amicalola Falls

Very exciting ride up the mountain to the campground, very nice site built up onthe side of the of the mountain. Lots of trails to walk go to the lodge and the falls.Very pretty scenery and awesome sunsets

Great campground lots to do 

This is a very nice campsite with a table and fire ring.You can buy firewood for 5.00 dollars from the hosts.The Inn has delicious meals ,especially a buffet breakfast.The Approach Trail is 8.8 miles to the AT.You can hike up stairs to the Falls or drive up to the top.Thete is also a pretty flat Handicapped  trail to the bottom of the Falls.The bathrooms are very nice now. with a toilot and shower by themselves in each one  of them.I love camping here I use a tent

Great place to spend a few days

Truly can't beat a giant waterfall campground. The camp is quiet on top of the MTN. Very clean. The park also has a lodge that's very nice, even if your not staying there you can go inside and sit and enjoy the views. It has a store where you can buy a few camping things and souvenirs. A strenuous hike up the falls involve many steps but it's really fun. I suggest going in fall and visiting Burt's pumpkin farm a mile away, it's the biggest I've ever seen with a very nice hay ride that goes over a creek. 

Can't beat it!

Lots of hiking and the waterfall is great. Trout fishing in the small pond at the bottom of the falls 

Nice park with waterfall

An absolute fantastic, peaceful place to camp! This campsite was able to easily accommodate me and my fiancé’s 33’ foot travel trailer, was a bit of a climb up the 25% grade but other than that it was amazing ! I would definitely stay again !!

INCREDIBLE!!!!

This place is an absolute dream to camp at!!, it’s not only peaceful, pleasant , and easily able to accommodate me and my fiancés 33’ sunset trail travel trailer with a slide on the driver side ! There’s a bath house; multiple trashcans scattered throughout the site so you don’t have to walk far to take out your trash, you can walk to the end of your site and dispose of your trash with ease ! Ontop of all of that, our campsite was covered with pretty fall colored trees making our experience here memorable ! The top of the falls are literally within walking distance with a 475 step climb down to the base of the falls …. Definitely strenuous but an amazing experience! I would definitely recommend staying here to anyone looking to go to a nice, new place to camp! 

WHAT A FANTASTIC PLACE TO CAMP IN THE MOUNTAINS

Very quite campground with nice sites. Plenty of hiking and 4 mins from the lodge. Zip line, archery and plenty other activities. 

Quite campground

We stayed at the State park from June 6-9. There are only about 24 sites, some cabins, and some new glamping tents. There is a bathhouse with individual showers. You are fairly close to the lodge. You are also right at the falls. BEWARE- there is a steep 24% grade getting to the campground. The campground was neat, clean, and quiet. 