Attractions and Places To See in Dawson County - Top 9

The trail is entirely within Chattahoochee National Forest, except for the section on state park land at Amicalola Falls State Park and the section around the Hike Inn. Although the trail is mostly easy, there are some moderately difficult climbs. Light green rectangular blazes mark the trail, which begins at the gravel parking area above Amicalola Falls. From here, the Hike Inn Trail briefly meets the blue-blazed Approach Trail to Springer Mountain, the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.). Light green blazes soon change from blue to lead up to the ridge, where the trail winds, descends to small streams, and climbs again, crossing more ridges before finally arriving at the Hike Inn after five miles.

Beautiful overnight accommodation in the heart of nature. There are 20 bedrooms with bunk beds and a mattress for children. Dinner and breakfast are eaten together. On a guided tour of the house, you'll learn about the building's history, the Japanese-inspired architecture, the environmental awards (e.g., about the composting system with worms), the connection to Len Foote, and the observation deck with astronomical art. After dinner, you can enjoy the game room or attend a lecture. The warm showers are very pleasant after the strenuous climb. It's a shame there are no facilities for day visitors. Lunch packs are available for overnight guests. https://hike-inn.com/ The moderate, five-mile trail starting from the top of Amicalola Falls is among the most popular mountain trails in the North Georgia Blue Ridge. And one of its most beautiful and diverse. The two-to-four hour hike crosses small streams, traverses scenic ridges and ambles through stands of mountain laurel and rhododendron. Backpacker magazine included our trail as one of 36 “Best American Hikes” and our Inn is included on National Geographic Traveler’s “Stay List.”

This is where the approximately 8km climb to the Len Foote Hike Inn begins. You can park right here (or use the overflow at the Amicalola Falls Lodge). For overnight stays, you must register your vehicle at the Visitor Center, and you will receive a tag to place in your car. For information about the Hike Inn and the beautiful hiking trail there, see: https://hike-inn.com/

Unfortunately the truck load was already gone 😁

Only accessible by hike! Information at https://hike-inn.com/

Amicalola Mountain is the first summit on the AT Approach Trail. The ridge rises from near Dawsonville on its southwest flank to Nimblewill Gap not far from Springer Mountain at its northeast point. Its highest section is known as Frosty Mountain and was once the site of a Forest Service fire tower which has been disassembled and removed. All that remains of that tower are concrete footings partially hidden by vigorous undergrowth in the old clearing where it once stood. Best known as the ridge line that serves as the source of the stream that produces Amicalola Falls, it rises abruptly from a valley floor at roughly 1500 feet above sea level, offering an impressive forested face. The south facing slopes of Amicalola Mountain are extremely steep; deceptively so as they are covered in a fantastic array of hardwoods that hide what would appear as cliffs in a less temperate zone.

In the visitor center you can get information and souvenirs as well as park tickets for the state park. A must is the walk behind the building; here you will find the starting arch for the Appalachian Trail, the southern end of which, Springer Mountain, can be reached from here via a 13-kilometer-long access path (A.T. Approach Trail). https://www.amicalolafallslodge.com/

The waterfalls are really something special. The flowing water over the various rock cascades is particularly impressive from below. But the view from above (Top of the Falls) is also recommended. If you want to give your legs a bit of a workout, you can climb a total of 600 steps (first 175 and then another 425) from the foot of the falls to the top.