Located along highway 52 in the northern mountainous regions of Dawson County is Amicalola Falls State Park. The Cherokee word Amicalola means “tumbling waters” a worthy title considering the waterfalls 729-feet from overflow to catching pool. Amicalola Falls from a distance looks like one long continuous waterfall. Amicalola is a series of seven cascading waterfalls that give the illusion that Amicalola Falls is one long waterfall. You can view a large portion of the falls when you first enter the state park, for a fuller view of the falls you need to take highway 52, west from the state park entrance, within a mile of two you’ll reach the junction of highway 52 and 136. Turn your vehicle around and head back towards the park, from this point of driving you have the advantage of see a large portion of the waterfall especially in the late fall.
 
Viewing from the distance, you can see why it looks as though it is one very long straight fall.

The waters of the waterfall coming off Amicalola Mountain are particularly more dramatic after a good rainfall; this waterfall definitely lives up to its Cherokee name “tumbling waters.”

Amicalola Falls State Park is comprised of 1,440-acres of mountain woodlands along the Amicalola Creek watershed. Available within the park are lodging rooms, hike inn rooms, 24 campsites 14 cottages plus 4 picnic shelters and a 1 group shelter, all require reservation for use.

Miles of trails lie within the state park with marked trails leading into the forest; the one main trail follows alongside the Amicalola waterfalls on a moderate to strenuous hike, the easiest and most comfortable way to reach from the bottom of the falls to the top is by taking the park road to the top of Amicalola Falls. The parking area at the top of the falls offers a viewing deck over the falls and a beautiful mountain and piedmont view of Dawson County to the south.

Along the right side of the top of the falls or to the west if you’re carrying a compass, is a very well made stair case with platform decks leading down to the bottom of the first set of falls. The trip down the stairs is well worth the journey but what goes down must come up, it’s best to know your personal physical limitations.

From the upper falls, the Approach Trail to the Appalachian Trail journeys 8.1-miles to Springer Mountain and the southernmost terminus of the Appalachian.

Amicalola Falls State Park is a wonderful park, beautiful, quiet and peaceful. The popularity of the park can find holiday visits a bit crowded, yet folks visiting the state park during the rest of the season find it quiet and refreshing.