Amicalola Falls State Park: Hours, $10 ParkPass, 604 Stairs, Trails and Lodge (2026 Guide)

That is how the park’s operator, Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge, puts it (checked September 19, 2026). Georgia State Parks says the park is “managed and operated by North Georgia Mountains Authority and Coral Hospitality,” and its own Amicalola page points visitors to the lodge’s website.

So the hours, trails and lodging details below come from that site, and the fees and rules from gastateparks.org. Where nobody publishes a figure, we say so. Amicalola (sometimes misspelled “Amicala”) is in Dawsonville, at 418 Amicalola Falls Lodge Road. Georgia State Parks describes it as “just an hour north of Atlanta.”

Amicalola Falls at a glance

Every row below comes from an official page (checked September 19, 2026). The source column names it.

Amicalola Falls State Park hours: when is the park open?

The operator says the park “is accessible year-round during daylight hours.” It publishes no exact opening or closing time. The Visitor Center, just inside the entrance, is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

In other words, the hours are the same every day (checked September 19, 2026). The operator’s lodge phone number is 706-344-1500. The Hike Inn lists 706-265-4703 for the Visitor Center.

You may also see “7 a.m. to 10 p.m.” on Explore Georgia’s listing. That same listing still says “$5 GA State Park Pass,” a fee that ended on January 1, 2026, so we treat the operator’s daylight-hours wording as current. If you plan to arrive before sunrise or leave after dark, call ahead.

• Visitor Center (8 a.m.–5 p.m.): ParkPasses, maps, restrooms, The Falls Café coffee bar, Appalachian Trail and moonshine-history exhibits, and sign-ups for activities. It opened in late 2023 and replaced a building that had served for 50 years.
• Cascades Restaurant (in the lodge): breakfast 7–10 a.m., lunch 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., dinner 4:30–8 p.m. According to the ParkPass rules, diners in lodge restaurants don’t pay the parking fee.
• Zip line office: 9 a.m.–5 p.m., seven days a week, per the zip line operator.
• Busy days: Georgia State Parks encourages weekday visits in leaf season and warns that access “may be limited” once the parking lots fill.

How much does it cost to get into Amicalola Falls State Park?

All you pay to enter is parking: $10 per vehicle per day, or $70 for an annual ParkPass good at every Georgia state park for 12 months (checked September 19, 2026). Buy a day pass at a kiosk, by QR code when you arrive, or in a park office.

It is valid at more than one state park on the same day. Georgia State Parks raised the daily rate from $5 to $10 on January 1, 2026, the first increase since 2009.

How tall is Amicalola Falls?

The falls are 729 feet tall, according to both the operator and Georgia State Parks. The operator says the name comes from a Cherokee word meaning “tumbling waters” and that the site became a state park in 1940. The park covers 829 acres inside the Chattahoochee National Forest.

The ranking depends on who you ask. Georgia State Parks calls Amicalola “the Southeast’s tallest cascading waterfall.” The operator’s park and waterfall pages call it “the third-highest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi River,” while its Appalachian Trail page says “highest.” The operator also calls it “the tallest waterfall in Georgia.” None of these sources publishes a full ranking, so treat any ranking beyond Georgia as a claim.

How many stairs are at Amicalola Falls, and which trail should you take?

The lodge’s listing for its IronHike stair-climbing event describes the main climb as 604 feet across 604 stairs, from the Reflection Pool to the top. That staircase, labeled the West Ridge Staircase on the current park map, is part of the Approach Trail.

The operator also describes “an optional but recommended 175 stairs” on its guided hike from the Visitor Center to the falls. Lengths below are from the current park map, and difficulty and surface are from Georgia State Parks’ 2009 trail map, the most recent official version with ratings (checked September 19, 2026).

The Reflection Pool path and the base of the falls

The Reflection Pool sits below the falls, on the park road between the Visitor Center and the top. It has its own parking lot, and the map marks it as stocked with trout. From the pool, the Approach Trail climbs toward the Lower Observation Platform and then up the staircase to the Upper Observation Platform and the top.

The Creek Trail (0.6 mile) links the Visitor Center to the pool. The park doesn’t publish the surface or length of the pool-to-base section, so don’t count on it with a stroller.

The Approach Trail to Springer Mountain: 8.3, 8.5 or 8.8 miles?

The trail starts at the stone arch behind the Visitor Center, which the operator calls the unofficial start of the Appalachian Trail. Its length depends on the source. The operator’s Appalachian Trail page says 8.5 miles, its park page says “eight-mile,” the current park map says 8.3 miles, and the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club, which maintains the trail guide, says 8.8 miles.

The GATC puts Frosty Mountain at mile 4.1 and Nimblewill Gap at mile 6.0, and warns that “water is scarce on the Approach Trail once you leave the park.” Overnight and thru-hikers must register on site at the park, according to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

Is Amicalola Falls accessible with a stroller, wheelchair or dog?

Yes, partly, as long as you pick the right trail (checked September 19, 2026):

• Wheelchair or stroller: The West Ridge Falls Access (0.3 mile, recycled-tire surface) is the one falls view without stairs. Georgia State Parks’ 2009 trail map rates it wheelchair accessible. The Lodge Loop (0.25 mile, paved and lighted) is also accessible but doesn’t reach the falls. Strollers aren’t allowed on the guided waterfall hike, and children on it must walk or be carried.
• Accessible rooms and facilities: The operator lists Lodge Suite 202, Rooms 204, 207 and 208, Cabins 4 and 12, Campsite 1 and Picnic Shelter 4 as accessible, along with Cascades Restaurant and the Visitor Center.
• Dogs: Leashed dogs (6-foot maximum) are welcome on park trails and in the campground. Georgia State Parks bars pets from park buildings and lodges, but it names no Amicalola trail as off-limits. Four cabins are pet-friendly; the operator asks you to “call ahead” about restrictions. The Len Foote Hike Inn doesn’t allow pets, only ADA service animals.

Our stroller-friendly waterfalls in North Georgia guide compares Amicalola with nine easier walks, and the Georgia dog-policy database covers 303 other parks and attractions.

Amicalola Falls Lodge, cabins and camping

The operator runs all the overnight options (checked September 19, 2026). Book them on 706-344-1500 or through the lodge’s website. It publishes no rates, only quotes in its booking engine.

The operator’s park page counts “24 wooded campsites,” which matches the 18 tent and RV sites plus six glamping sites listed on its accommodations page. Its camping FAQ warns that the hill up to the campground has a grade of “up to 25%” and that no trail leads from the campground to the falls, so you drive to the top instead.

What is the Len Foote Hike Inn?

The Hike Inn is a 20-room lodge you can reach only on foot, five miles up the trail from the park (checked September 19, 2026). Guests must check in at the Amicalola Visitor Center by 2 p.m., a rule the inn says is “strictly enforced.”

Dinner is at 6 p.m. and breakfast at 8 a.m. Reservations are by phone (706-344-1547, weekdays 8:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.) or online. Rates are shown only in the booking system. A child 12 or younger can share a room with two adults. From the inn, Springer Mountain is 4.4 miles away (8.8 miles round trip), and the inn says most guests who make that hike stay two nights.

Are the Amicalola zip lines still running in 2026?

Yes. The Screaming Eagle zip line course inside the park lists the tours below and daily hours of 9 a.m.–5 p.m. (checked September 19, 2026). The lodge says it offers the course with American Adventure Park Systems. From late November to early March, tours are by reservation only. Book on 706-265-1233.

The maximum weight on every level is 285 lbs for males and 250 lbs for females. The zip line site also advertises $74 Moonlight tours on October 24 and 31 without giving a year, so confirm before you book one.

• Guided Waterfall Hike: $30, 1.5 miles from the Visitor Center to the falls, about 1.5 hours, moderate to strenuous. The lodge’s calendar lists Friday 9:30 a.m. hikes on September 25 and October 2, 2026.
• Archery and hatchet throwing: held in the field across from the Visitor Center. Archery takes about 1.5 hours and is for ages over 8, and anyone under 18 needs a participating adult. Hatchet throwing takes about an hour and needs closed-toe shoes. Prices appear only in the booking system.
• Live-animal programs: The lodge calendar lists “Animals of Amicalola Falls” at 1 and 4 p.m., but its pages disagree on the days and on whether it meets in the Visitor Center or the lodge, so check the calendar.
• IronHike (Dec. 9–13, 2026): a 12- to 84-hour stair-climbing challenge on the 604-step staircase, from $15 an hour solo, listed on the lodge’s events page.
• Canyon Climbers Club: Climbing Amicalola is one of four Georgia State Parks challenges, along with Cloudland Canyon, Providence Canyon and Tallulah Gorge. You buy a membership, which comes with a club shirt, and you earn a certificate when you finish all four.

When is fall color at Amicalola Falls?

Our own fall-color timing page puts Amicalola Falls State Park at a measured 1,940 feet and gives it a usual peak window of October 25 to November 8. That is an estimate from elevation for a typical year, not a forecast.

Color can differ by a week between the parking lot and the ridge. From October 1, Georgia State Parks posts live Leaf Watch reports, which are better for what the trees are doing right now. Amicalola is on its list of the most popular parks for fall color, and it asks visitors to come on weekdays. For more on the season, see North Georgia fall foliage and Georgia fall festivals in 2026.

Which way should you see Amicalola Falls?

• With a wheelchair or a stroller: Park at the West Ridge Falls Access lot and take the 0.3-mile accessible path. Then drive to the lodge for the paved Lodge Loop.
• With only an hour: Drive to the Top of Falls parking and walk to the upper overlook, which Georgia State Parks calls “easy-to-reach.”
• For the full climb: Start at the Reflection Pool and take the 604 stairs to the top, or walk the Creek Trail from the Visitor Center first. The East Ridge return route is closed for now.
• With a dog: Any open trail on a 6-foot leash. For an overnight, book one of the four pet-friendly cabins or a campsite. The lodge and the Hike Inn don’t take pets.
• With kids 8 and up: Level 1 of the zip line ($29 on weekdays) or archery, and then the West Ridge view.
• On a budget: The $10 ParkPass covers every lot all day, and it is still valid at another state park the same day. If you’ll make more than seven state park visits in a year, the $70 annual pass costs less.
• In peak leaf season: Go on a weekday between late October and early November, and arrive early. Georgia State Parks warns that access may be limited once the lots are full.

Getting there, and what’s nearby

The park entrance is on GA-52 in Dawsonville. Our North Georgia mountain road trip puts Dahlonega 18 miles east of the park via GA-52 (about 30 minutes), and pairs the two for day one. The operator’s camping FAQ says the nearest grocery store and gas station are about 12.2 miles away, where Clear Creek Road meets Highway 52 in East Ellijay.

For hikes elsewhere, see the best hikes in Georgia. For another mountain base, see things to do in Blue Ridge and our best small towns in Georgia.

FAQ

What are Amicalola Falls State Park’s hours?

The park is open year-round during daylight hours, and the Visitor Center is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, according to the park’s operator (checked September 19, 2026).

How much does it cost to visit Amicalola Falls?

Parking is $10 per vehicle per day with a Georgia State Parks ParkPass, or $70 for an annual pass good at every state park. Overnight guests pay the daily fee once per stay, and lodge restaurant diners are exempt.

How many stairs are at Amicalola Falls?

The staircase from the Reflection Pool to the top of the falls has 604 stairs, according to the lodge’s IronHike event listing. If you want no stairs, the 0.3-mile West Ridge Falls Access path is rated wheelchair accessible.

How tall is Amicalola Falls?

Amicalola Falls is 729 feet tall, which makes it Georgia’s tallest waterfall. Georgia State Parks calls it the Southeast’s tallest cascading waterfall, and the park’s operator calls it the third-highest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi.

Can you drive to the top of Amicalola Falls?

Yes. There is parking at the top of the falls, close to the upper observation platform, and Georgia State Parks calls the top overlook “easy-to-reach.” The same $10 ParkPass covers every lot in the park.

Are dogs allowed at Amicalola Falls State Park?

Yes, on a leash no longer than 6 feet, on trails and in the campground. Dogs are not allowed in park buildings, the lodge or the Len Foote Hike Inn, and four of the park’s 13 cabins are pet-friendly.

How long is the Approach Trail from Amicalola Falls to Springer Mountain?

The published figures range from 8.3 to 8.8 miles: 8.3 on the current park map, 8.5 on the lodge’s Appalachian Trail page, and 8.8 from the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club. It starts at the stone arch behind the Visitor Center.

Are the zip lines at Amicalola Falls open?

Yes. Screaming Eagle runs three levels daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., priced at $29 to $124 per person depending on level and day (checked September 19, 2026). From late November to early March, tours are by reservation only.

How we checked this guide: Dates, hours, admission and parking prices, and access details were verified against the official sources listed below on October 2, 2026. Operators change schedules and raise prices without notice, so confirm anything time-sensitive before you drive. The figures in this guide also feed our Georgia Attraction Transparency Index and Family Day-Out Cost Index.

Sources

• Georgia State Parks — Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge (operator note)
• Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge — Georgia State Park (hours, ParkPass, East Ridge closure, lodging counts)
• Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge — Visitor Center (hours, exhibits, stone arch)
• Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge — Waterfall & guided hikes
• Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge — Appalachian Trail Gateway
• Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge — Park map (PDF)
• Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge — Accommodations
• Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge — Camping FAQs (PDF)
• Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge — Accessibility
• Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge — Dining (Cascades hours)
• Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge — Adventures
• Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge — Zip line canopy tours
• Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge — Archery
• Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge — Hatchet throwing
• Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge — Park programs
• Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge — IronHike event
• Screaming Eagle at Amicalola Falls — Zipline adventures
• Georgia State Parks — ParkPass
• Georgia State Parks — 2026 ParkPass fee increase FAQ (PDF)
• Georgia State Parks — Park rules (pets)
• Georgia State Parks — Leaf Watch
• Georgia State Parks — Canyon Climbers Club
• Georgia State Parks — Amicalola Falls trail map, 2009 (Digital Library of Georgia)
• Len Foote Hike Inn — FAQ
• Georgia Appalachian Trail Club — Trail guide (Approach Trail)
• Appalachian Trail Conservancy — Register your hike
• Explore Georgia — Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge

About Hank Whitlock

Hank Whitlock is the pen name of the It's Georgia editor. Every guide is built around the questions a busy family actually asks before a trip: how long is the drive, what does parking cost, can the stroller make it, are dogs allowed. Details are checked against official park, city, and venue sources, and each guide shows the date it was last updated.