Amicalola Falls State Park covers 829 acres of pristine landscape tucked within the Chattahoochee National Forest in north Georgia. Accessible by foot and located a short distance from the lodge located at the park is a 729-foot waterfall, Amicalola. Named by the Cherokee Indians, Amicalola means "tumbling waters." Visitors to the falls can experience the majestic beautiful of the tallest cascading waterfall found anywhere east of the Mississippi River. Several short trails within the park lead to the waterfall. There is an eight and a half mile trail from the waterfall to Springer Mountain for hikers looking to sojourn the Appalachian Trail. The park is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and parking is $5. The most popular time to visit the park and waterfall is during autumn's leaf season, and as the area is extremely busy, it is advised to visit during the week or by carpool on the weekends.
Amicalola Falls State Park
418 Amicalola Falls Lodge Road
Dawsonville, GA 30534
706-265-4703
amicalolafalls.com
Moccasin Creek State Park (MCSP) is located on the shores of Lake Burton in the Blue Ridge Mountains of northeast Georgia. The park is filled with hiking trails including a two-mile hike leading up to Hemlock Falls. The Hemlock Falls trail is easy but can be slippery, so be careful if you have smaller children on the hike. The trail has several smaller falls that you will notice on the way to Hemlock Falls, creating an ambiance of wonder. Once you arrive at Hemlock Falls there is a wading pool at the base of the falls where you can swim and play in the water. The park is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and parking is $5. However if you prefer to park across the road from MCSP next to the ranger's station and dam in the open gravel parking, it is free. Camping is not permitted at Hemlock Falls.
Moccasin Creek State Park
3655 GA Hwy. 197
Clarkesville, GA 30523
706-947-3194
Cloudland Canyon State Park (CCSP) is located at Lookout Mountain in northwest Georgia. The park is situated amongst a deep gorge found in Lookout Mountain formed by Sitton's Gulch Creek. There are two magnificent waterfalls located at the base of the gorge for hikers able to make the journey down to the gorge bottom. A 600-step staircase leads to the waterfalls, which flow over sandstone and shale into a peaceful pool of water. Visitors are not permitted to wade in the subsequent pools or climb on the waterfalls due to safety concerns. CCSP is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and there is a $5 parking fee.
Cloudland Canyon State Park
122 Cloudland Canyon State Park Road
Rising Fawn, GA 30738
706-657-4050
