Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge
Amicalola Falls is a state park that has been privatized to a certain extent, so it features a lodge on the premises with breathtaking views of the Smoky Mountains. It is also the gateway to the 2,193 mile Appalachian Trail (Springer Mountain). The campground is smaller with only about 24 sites so you’ll need to book proactively, especially at peak times. There are plenty of things to do for the whole family while staying at Amicalola Falls. The trails to and around the falls feature quite a few steps, but there are numerous entry and exit points, including an ADA accessible trail with accompanying parking (so you can use a stroller for kids if desired). In addition to the falls they have archery, zipline tours, playgrounds, and picnic/pavilion areas. The lodge features a hearty breakfast and dinner buffet most weekends, so if you don’t feel like cooking you can enjoy The Maple House dining area within the lodge. On the weekends the lodge hosts “Birds of Prey” in the atrium area, featuring several of the birds from its nearby sanctuary raning from owls, hawks, and vultures (the kids will love it). The main station at the base of the falls also features a gift shop and reptile display with Georgia snakes and turtles. Sometimes the staff will bring out one of the critters, and other times they’ll feature a reptile demonstration at the lodge in the atrium on Sundays. The road leading up to the campground is a fairly steep grade, but it’s relatively short. You’ll see mostly smaller rigs under 25-feet in the campground, but there are few 45-feet diesel big rigs that venture up as well. The climb going up may seem intimidating with the signage posted at the base, but it’s really not. Most modern vehicles will have no issues whatsoever, even while pulling a small trailer. Overall, if you’re looking for a lot of activities to do in a short period of time, plus the convenience of The Maple House Restaurant on site, Amicalola Falls is a great destination.