Information About Amicalola Falls in Georgia
Nestled in the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains is the magnificent Amicalola Falls. Soaring to 729 feet, the falls is the central feature of the state park that surrounds it. Amicalola Falls State Park boasts 12 miles of integrated hiking trails with a series of platforms and bridges that reach the top of the falls. The views from the top offer an amazing panorama of the Georgia Piedmont and the beginnings of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
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History
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The name Amicalola is Cherokee for "tumbling waters." The native Cherokee peoples owned the land surrounding the falls until they were forcibly removed from Georgia during the "Trail of Tears" in 1838. A series of land lotteries redistributed Cherokee lands to white settlers. The first settler to build near the base of the falls was Bartley Crane, who purchased the property in 1852. Crane is rumored to have discovered a Cherokee woman at the falls named Elizabeth Brock whom he would later marry. Their descendants sold the property in 1940 to the state of Georgia for the establishment of Amicalola Falls State Park.
Geography
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Amicalola Falls is 15 miles northwest of Dawsonville, Georgia, and 90 minutes from Atlanta at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The surrounding landscape features rolling hills, large granite outcrops and dense hardwood forests. The falls are created as the Amicalola River tumbles down a mountainous cliff. Nearby Springer Mountain provides the southern endpoint to the 2,135-mile Appalachian Trail.
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Significance
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Amicalola Falls is the tallest waterfall east of the Mississippi River and is considered one of the Georgia's Seven Natural Wonders. The surrounding state park welcomes more than 1 million visitors each year and is Georgia's most visited state park. Amicalola Falls is also within the boundaries of the Chattahoochee National Forest, which covers almost 750,000 acres across northern Georgia.
Features
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The greatest feature of Amicalola Falls is its spectacular beauty. While tucked away in the wilderness, the park's nine nature trails make the falls accessible to visitors with a variety of needs and interests. If you want a strenuous jaunt, take the mile-long East Ridge Trail that climbs 425 steps to the top of the falls. The more moderate West Ridge Falls Access Trail is appropriate for small children and is wheelchair accessible. Serious hikers may choose to connect to the Appalachian Trial via an 8.5-mile path. The park also offers stocked trout fishing and a ropes course perfect for group retreats.
Amenities
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Amicalola Falls State Park features a variety of lodging options: a 54-room lodge, 14 cottages and 24 campsites. The newest accommodation to the park, the eco-friendly Len Foote Hike Inn, is only accessible by a 5-mile trail. For day-trippers, there are picnic facilities, a visitor center and ranger-led educational programs that highlight the history and significance of the falls and surrounding flora and fauna. Visitors are also welcome to visit the Amicalola Lodge and Conference Center's restaurant and gift shop.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Brian McInturff/www.wikipedia.com
