If you’re an outdoors person, you’re going to love the state parks in Georgia; however, if you’re like me, you’re also going to want to find one of the hotels Georgia offers its more “outdoors-challenged” travelers.  Even while staying in Atlanta, it’s a simple thing to make the trip out to the parks, to visit Whitney Lake or Fort Clinch State Park, Jeckyll Island or Cumberland Island.  Personally, I’d like to take a closer look at Amicalola Falls.

The word Amicalola derives from the Cherokee and means “tumbling waters,” which, when it refers to a 729 foot waterfall seems appropriate enough. In fact, they’re the highest cascading waterfall that lies east of the Mississippi River.  The waterfall is high in the Amicalola Mountain, where a river runs, sloping down on the western side, and dropping from a ledge off the Blue Ridge Mountains’ southern end.  There’s a trail that provides an easy hike to the falls, with signs and lights at night, offering excellent views of the Amicalola watershed beneath the falls.  If you drive up, parking on the west side might be limited; however, on the east side of the falls, there should be extensive parking areas.  There’s a deck that crosses the creek, allowing you to step out over the falls.  From this deck, you may see a view that takes in the foothills of the Dahlonega Uplands, or the Southern Appalachian Mountains.

The park and waterfall actually mark the Southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, which extends from Georgia to Maine, a footpath leading over 2,175 miles long.   The idea of the trail was thought of in 1921 and completed in 1937, sixteen years later.   Each year, about four million people use the trail, hiking or sight-seeing.  Near Amicalola, there’s a five mile trail that will take you to a visitor center where you’ll see an Appalachian Trail display, live animals, and nature exhibits.  If you’re hungry, you might also try out the park’s Maple Restaurant, which people like for the terrific views and, on Sundays, a buffet brunch.  And, then, if you’re like me, after communing with nature, you can return to your hotel and the comforts of the city.