Amicalola Falls — Attraction in Talking Rock

Amazing waterfall. Very tall and definitely worth the workout. $5 per car to get in. We parked all the way at the bottom (once you drive in just keep going straight to the dead-end) and walked all the way to the top and back. Starting from the bottom, there is a gravel path that zig zags throughout the woods/water (guessing about 1/4 mile) that eventually leads to the staircase. Once at the staircase, it is 175 steps to the first viewing platform. After that there is another 175 steps to the main viewing platform (mid point). After that is is 425 steps to the top of the fall (which you can overlook the whole canyon and see where the water drops off (amazing view). At the top there are picnic areas and restrooms. There is also another trail from the top that will take you to the lodge where it has a buffet restaurant inside (which overlooks the canyon).

Now you can drive all the way to the top if you would like. Once you drive in, make a left at the visitor center (they are building a new one right now, you can’t miss it). There is parking at the midway point to get to the main viewing platform. Then another parking area where the top of the fall is. If you continue going up, the road also leads you to the lodge if you do not want to take the walking trail (they do zip-line tours at the lodge also). Now the road is a step incline, 25% grade! But short drive though.

In the end I recommend doing taking the long way up and down and then the drive up to experience everything. Beautiful scenery...

It was a wonderfull experience today! The park has designed the view in an interesting way!

If you want a moderate hike, start (park your vehicle) from Lower observation platform. You'll be climbing up 175 stairs to the waterfall bridge and climb down the 175 stairs during return.

If you want a strenous difficult hike, start from Upper observation platform. You'll need to climb down 425 steps to the waterfall bridge and climb 425 steps back to the parking 😁 From the Upper observation platform, you can see the beginning of the waterfall, the whole valley and the Blue Ridge horizon.

If you have kids and elderly people and want to totally avoid hike, park at West Ridge parking. The trail is stroller and wheelchair friendly. It will take maximum of 10 mins to reach the waterfall bridge. The start is downhill so no problem and the return has one very little steep (almost plain).

If you want a crazy hike, start from Lower observation platform and end at Upper observation platform and return😉

The Upper Observation Platform, Lower Observation Platform and West Ridge Parking are all available in the google map!

Also entry fee per vehicle is $5 and dog friendly as well.

Enjoy one of the seven...

Wonderful place if you are looking for mental refreshment through going close to nature. The best things is that, you can go very close to the fall through the staircases.

Few tips: there are parking both on the top and the bottom of the waterfall, I will recommend going with the top ones. The top and bottom are connected both via road and staircases. It takes usually 15-20 minutes to go from the top to bottom via staircases alongside the fall. If you feel weak after going from top to bottom via staircases, you should wait on the bottom parking till your companies come with car from bottom to top. The road that connects the top and bottom is beautiful, but might be bit risky, so drive carefully. An important thing to know is that, after you spend some time on the top, then as you drive down the road to go to bottom, you are very likely to experience a boring noise or pain on your ear. Don’t be worried, this occurs due to the steep change is pressure as you go from top to bottom quickly. You can just cover your ears with your hand completely as you go...