Did you know Georgia is home to over 700 recorded waterfalls? It’s true.
Despite the temptation to chase waterfalls in winter wonderlands such as Iceland, the truth is you can visit hundreds of picturesque falls right here in the U.S. of A.
Keep your passport at home and set your sites for Georgia’s famous greenery. The caveat is that as we’re enjoying the beginning of the fall season, that very greenery is transforming before our eyes into a vibrant rush of golds, reds, oranges.
While there are surely great spots to ‘leaf peep’ in Atlanta, Savannah, and Athens, the most underrated place has gotta be Amicalola Falls State Park.
And as the name suggests, you’re in one of the best destinations in the country to trek through scenic trails to reach towering waterfalls seemingly kissing the sky.
The Chattahoochee’s Stunning Natural Wonders
Amicalola Falls State Park spans over 800 acres across the gorgeous Chattahoochee National Forest.
Fall is a great time to visit for 2 reasons:
First being it’s one of the most photo-worthy destinations for fall-themed photos as the colorful foliage never seems to end.
The second is it’s no longer ‘hotter than a hoochie coochie’ like the summer months, and if we’re being honest, hiking through the frigid winter might be a bit rough.
It seems like each traveler treats the fall season differently. Some of us can’t wait to dig through the back of our closets to celebrate “sweater weather” and others didn’t get the memo summer is over.
Fortunately, all travelers will love visiting this State Park because it’s drop-dead gorgeous, easily navigable, and super cheap across the board!
But most of all, the namesake Amicalola Falls stands a staggering 729-feet high and the backdrop of kaleidoscopic foliage enhances the views tenfold.
How To Reach Amicalola Falls
First, you may be wondering if Amicalola Falls is even open after Hurricane Helen (and Milton) ravaged the South.
Good news is they were spared the wrath of Mother Nature this time around, so you can enjoy all the delights of the park.
Truth be told, since the famous Blue Ridge Parkway is shut down for the foreseeable future, Amicalola Falls State Park makes for a great alternative to get your autumn vibe fix.
Reaching the falls themselves is super easy. There are a couple of ways to go about it:
Basically, you can do it yourself by taking the clearly marked trails for about 1.5 miles or you can book the guided tour from the park’s Visitor Center.
For more insight, it’s best to plan ahead by downloading the park map to scope out all the goodies.
There’s a lot more to do here than simply gawk at a massive waterfall as incredible of an experience as that may be.
There are zip-lines, hatchet-throwing, stocked ponds for fishing, and other scenic hikes boasting sweeping views of the Chattahoochee forest and an on-site restaurant with magical mountain views.
Bearing witness to the skyscraping Amicalola Falls up close and personal undoubtedly tops the list, though.
Amicalola Falls Won’t Break The Bank
One of the best ways to embrace all of fall’s splendor is to cozy up in a rustic cabin after a summer filled with sun and sand.
The problem is oftentimes renting a cabin can cost just as much as a Four Seasons!
Good news is Amicalola Falls is the antithesis to 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’ll have to pay $5 for entry.
If you’d like to stay for an extended time, there is a ‘resort-style’ lodge with 57 rooms, cozy cabins, and campsites.
Although there are only 14 cabins to choose from, having extra space for such a low price is your best overall value and experience.
Cabins hold anywhere from 4 to 10 people, so at rates of $289 like they’re listed in November, that’s only $36 per person!
Plus, many of them are dog-friendly so you can bring Fido along for your fall adventures.
Meanwhile, campsites cost $59.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
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