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Did you know that Georgia is home to more than 700 registered waterfalls? It’s true.
Despite the temptation to chase waterfalls in winter wonderlands like Iceland, the truth is that you can visit hundreds of picturesque waterfalls right here in the US of A.
Keep your passport at home and set your locations for Georgia’s famous greenery. The caveat is that as we enjoy the start of the fall season, that green changes before our eyes into a vibrant flow of golds, reds and oranges.
While there are certainly great places to ‘browse’ in Atlanta, Savannah and Athens, the most underrated place has to be Amicalola Falls State Park.
And as the name suggests, you’ll be in one of the country’s top destinations to hike scenic trails and reach towering waterfalls that seemingly kiss the sky.
The stunning natural wonders of the Chattahoochee
Amicalola Falls State Park covers over 800 acres in the beautiful Chattahoochee National Forest.
Fall is a great time to visit for two reasons:
First, it’s one of the most photo-worthy destinations for fall-themed photos because the colorful foliage never seems to end.
The second is that it’s no longer ‘hotter than a hoochie coochie’ like it is in the summer months, and if we’re honest, walking through the freezing winter can be a bit rough.
It seems like every traveler treats the fall season differently. Some of us can’t wait to dig through the backs of our closets to celebrate “sweater weather,” and others haven’t realized that summer is over.
Luckily, all travelers will love visiting this State Park because it is breathtakingly beautiful, easily navigable, and super cheap all around!
But above all, its namesake Amicalola Falls is stunning 729 feet high and the backdrop of kaleidoscopic foliage enhances the view tenfold.
How to reach Amicalola Falls
First, you might be wondering if Amicalola Falls is even open after Hurricane Helen (and Milton) ravaged the South.
The good news is that this time they were spared the wrath of Mother Nature, so you can enjoy all the delights of the park.
Honestly, since the famous Blue Ridge Parkway to block for the foreseeable future, Amicalola Falls State Park is a great alternative for a fall experience.
Reaching the falls themselves is super easy. There are a number of ways to do this:
Basically you can do it yourself by following the clearly marked routes of about 2.4 km, or you can book the route guided tour from the park visitor center.
For more insight, it is best to plan ahead by park map to pick out all the goodies.
There’s a lot more to do here than just stare at a huge waterfall, as incredible an experience as that may be.
There are zip lines, ax throwing, stocked ponds for fishing and other beautiful hikes with beautiful views of the Chattahoochee Forest and an on-site restaurant with magical mountain views.
Witnessing the towering Amicalola Falls up close and personal is undoubtedly at the top of the list.
Amicalola Falls won’t break the bank
One of the best ways to embrace all the splendor of fall is to cozy up in a rustic cabin after a summer of sun and sand.
The problem is that renting a cabin can often cost as much as a Four Seasons!
Good news is that Amicalola Falls is the antithesis of this headache by offering cabins for less than a tank of gas – heck, maybe half a tank!
Once you arrive at the State Park gates, you will be required to pay $5 for admission.
If you want to stay longer, there is a ‘resort style’ lodge with 57 rooms, cozy cabins and campsites.
Although there are only 14 cabins to choose from, having the extra space for such a low price is the best overall value and experience.
Cabins sleep 4 to 10 people, so at rates of $289 as they are listed in November, that’s only $36 per person!
Moreover, many of them are dog friendly so you can take Fido along for your fall adventures.
Meanwhile, campsites cost $59.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
