Facilities
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 (706) 265-8888. The park's web site is http://gastateparks.org/info/amicalola/
Hike Inn
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 by calling 1-800-581-8032. 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.
Room rates include dinner and breakfast.
Parking
Parking is available at the major paved road crossings: Woody Gap (GA Hwy 60), Neels Gap (US Hwy 129/19), Tesnatee Gap (GA Hwy 348), Hogpen Gap (GA Hwy 348), Unicoi Gap (GA Hwy 75/17) and Dicks Creek Gap (US Hwy 76). Limited parking is available where the A.T. crosses Forest Service roads. For extended backpacks, cars may be registered and parked at Amicalola Falls State Park. Contact the Park at the address below for more details. Note: The USFS now charges a $3.00 parking fee at various trail heads.
Supplies
Please look on our Supplies page for more info.
What is ethical behavior on the trail?
The Appalachian Trail was built and is maintained by volunteers. As a hiker, please take the responsibility of helping to keep the trail in good shape. Don't shortcut the trail switchbacks which are an essential part of erosion control. The most difficult work in train maintenance is trying to correct erosion damage. Keep the A.T. clean. Don't discard gum wrappers, soft drink cans or cigarette butts. Carry out all trash. There are trash barrels at most road crossings. Please avoid camping in heavy-use or impacted areas such as near shelters or next to streams. Try to camp out of sight of the trail when possible. If you must build a campfire, use only "down" wood, and build it only in an established fire ring. Be sure the fire is out before leaving camp. Don't try to dispose of trash by burning it; this just causes others to have to carry out your melted and half-burned trash for you. Carry a small stove for cooking to minimize the impact on the environment. Try to camp in such a way that after you have gone, another hiker will find no trace of your having been there. Respect the flora and fauna; don't pick wildflowers, especially unusual ones. Several varieties are close to extinction. Don't kill snakes or other animals, each has a place in preserving the natural ecosystem. Keep water sources clean. Don't wash dishes or yourself in streams, especially if you are using soap. Carry the water at least 100 feet from its source to do your cleaning. Nearly half of the shelters on the Georgia A.T. have privies, with more being planned. Where no privy is available, use a small shovel or the heel of your boot to dig a "cat hole" and be sure to cover it when you are finished. Do this at least 75 yards from water sources and camping areas. Don't leave toilet paper on the ground.
