Amicalola Falls State Park has showers and laundry included with campsite fee, or a walk-in primitive campsite with privy for late arrivals. There is also a lodge and restaurant. Coke machines and phone are near park office at bottom of falls and at the top of the falls near the Hike Inn parking lot. Park office closes at 5:00 p.m. Additional information about the park can be obtained from (include a stamped self-addressed envelope) Amicalola Falls State Park, 418 Amiacalola Lodge Road, Dawsonville, Georgia 30534 (706) 265-4703 or (800) 864-7275. The park's web site is http://gastateparks.org/info/amicalola/
The Len Foote Hike Inn is located 5 miles by trail north of Amicalola Falls State Park and 4.5 miles by trail south of Springer Mountain. Guests hike in the five miles from Amicalola Falls State Park. At the inn one can enjoy a hot shower and hearty, family style dinner and breakfast (the inn does not serve lunch although trail lunches are available for guests), educational programs and environmental demonstrations, or just sit in an Adironack chair and enjoy solitude and views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Rooms are minimal accommodations. Each room has two extra-long, twin size bunk beds. Rooms are cooled with mountain breezes and have a fan. For winter, warm blankets are supplemented by a heat panel in each room. Room rates which include dinner, breakfast and taxes. There are discounted rates for children and some seasonal discounts. Contact the Hike Inn for current rates or check the Inn's website at http://www.hike-inn.com/ . Reservations may be made through the State Central Reservation System by calling (800) 581-8032. The Inn is owned by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and managed by Appalachian Education and Recreation Services, Inc., which is affiliated with the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club. Hikers can walk from the Hike Inn to rejoin the Approach Trail a short ways south of Nimblewill Gap and continue on the Approach Trail to Springer Mountain.
The Hiker Hostel is located 6 miles from Woody Gap and is run by former thru-hikers Josh and Leigh Saint. It is a complete hostel and shuttle service. (770) 312-7342 - or – http://www.hikerhostel.com
At Woody Gap (paved GA Hwy. 60)
• West approximately 3 miles in Suches, Georgia, at the intersection of GA 60 and GA 180 is a gas station/general store. Suches is a small community with a part-time medical clinic and volunteer fire department with emergency medical technicians. Jim and Ruth Ann Miner (11663 Miner-Scales Drive, Suches, Georgia 30572, (706) 747-5434) are friends of long distance hikers.
• Dr. Don Pruitt's medical clinic is 1 1/2 miles from Woody Gap in Suches, and is open for medical emergencies from Mon - Thurs, 9-5.
• East 15 miles on GA 60 is Dahlonega, Georgia, with grocery stores, post office, hospital, hardware, motels, and restaurants. This area was the site of the first gold rush in the United States.
At Neel Gap (US 19/129)
• Mountain Crossings, a.k.a. The Walasi-Yi Center (9710 Gainesville Hwy., Blairsville. Georgia 30512, 706-745-6095) is a backpacking outfitter and short-term grocery resupply store located directly on top of the Appalachian Trail at Neels gap. The store is run by Winton Porter. Winton and his staff give lots of support to long-distance hikers who come through every spring. The center is open from 8:30am to 6:30pm, seven days a week and offers a great deal of services for all hikers. The store carries a wide variety of tents/shelters, sleeping bags, hiking boots/shoes,hiking apparel, hiking guides/maps, freeze-dried foods, plus much more. White gas and denatured alcohol are sold by the oz., and cannister fuel is also available. The hiker hostel, which includes a shower w/towel and a bunk, is available for all hikers on a first come first served basis fo $15. Laundry facilities are available for an additional $3. Dogs must stay outside the hostel. A mail drop service is available, but Winton requests that people mail packages within one week of their arrival. Calling to inform the store of an incoming package would be appreciated. The store can also mail out packages using UPS services. More information can be obtained at the Mountain Crossings web site, www.mountaincrossings.com or by emailing Winton Porter at: mountaincrossings@alltel.net
• North on US 19/129 3.0 miles is Vogel State Park with cabins, campsite, limited supplies, laundry, telephone, hot showers and friendly folks.
• North on US 19/129 3.5 miles from Neels Gap is Goose Creek Cabins and campground. Single rooms cost and rooms with kitchens. Contact Keith and Retter Bailey, 7061 Goose Creek, Blairsville, Georgia 30512, (706)745-5111.
• South on US 19/129 0.3 miles is Blood Mountain Cabins (each sleeps up to six) with showers and kitchens. 706-745-9454 or 800-284-6866 or E-Mail: bloodmtn@alltel.net
At Unicoi Gap (GA Hwy. 75)
• Helen, Georgia is 10 miles south on Hwy. 75 with alpine tourist theme, post office, stores, fast food, small hiking shop, expensive hotels, laundry, restaurants. Check Helen Chamber of Commerce web site: www.helenchamber.com.
At Dicks Creek Gap (GA Hwy. 76)
• Clayton, Georgia is 18 miles to the east with stores, motels, laundry, restaurants, theater, fast food, post office.
• Hiawassee, Georgia is 11 miles to the west with post office, Mull's Motel, Waffle Shack, Georgia Mountain Restaurant, good grocery store, laundry. Everything is centralized for easy walking. If you need a shuttle back to any part of the A.T. in Georgia, call Gene Hamilton, (706) 896-2077, or ask Mull's Motel manager. The Hiawassee Inn, 193 E. Main St. (Hwy. 76) (800) 711-6961 has rooms for $42-$44 and will provide transportation back to Dick’s Creek Gap or Unicoi Gap after a night’s stay. (no pets)
• Blueberry patch hostel is 3.5 miles to the west, look for sign on left side of highway. It is an organic farm and hostel owned by ’91 thru-hiker Gary Poteat and his wife Lennie. Overnight stay includes shower, laundry, breakfast and a ride back to the A.T. at 9:30 AM. There are bunks for 6 people, 4 others can tent on site, no dogs allowed. Hikers should plan to arrive at the hostel between 10 AM and 6 PM. The Poteats will hold UPS and Postal Service packages mailed to 5038 US Hwy. 76E, Hiawassee, GA 30546 for hikers who plan to stay a night. Phone number is (706) 896-4893. The hostel is open for Northbounders February 15th -April 30th. Southbounders may call to make arrangements in the fall.
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT SOME INFORMATION STATED HERE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND IS BEYOND THE CONTROL OF THE GEORGIA APPALACHIAN TRAIL CLUB. ALL INFORMATION SHOULD BE CONFIRMED AHEAD OF TIME.
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