History & travel
A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail
Bill Bryson · 2007
Bryson's comic Appalachian Trail memoir begins at Amicalola Falls State Park, the classic start of the approach trail.
United States · Appalachians, Georgia
Amicalola Falls
The tallest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi tumbles down a series of rock staircases beside a 604-step metal stairway that climbs alongside it, near the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. Thru-hikers headed for Springer Mountain often pass through the park at the start of their journey.
Tallest waterfall in Georgia and the southeastern US Essentials guide
Checked September 2026 by David Bussell
Amicalola Falls drops 222 metres (728 ft) on the Amicalola Creek, inside Amicalola Falls State Park. It is a cascade-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Dawsonville, with ATL the closest airport. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate.
Amicalola Falls is number 4 on our list of the tallest waterfall in every us state. As a cascade waterfall, water tumbles down a series of rock steps rather than falling free.
What you can do here
Planning one of these? Check your travel insurance covers adventure activities — SafetyWing is one option.
Also good forHikingPhotography
When to go
Spring and fall give the best combination of flow and foliage color along the staircase trail.
Entry: State park parking fee
Getting there
- Base town Dawsonville
- Airport ATL
- Country United States
- Region Appalachians, Georgia, United States, North America
- Access Moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail
How it compares
This waterfall
Amicalola Falls
United States
Height222 mWidth—
Most similar
Depot Creek Falls
United States
Height295 mWidth—
Also a cascade waterfall and in the United States too
Largest curtain
Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe · Zambia
Height108 mWidth1,708 m
Largest single sheet of falling water
Tallest on earth
Angel Falls
Venezuela
Height979 mWidth—
Widest on earth
Khone Phapheng Falls
Laos
Height21 mWidth10,783 m
Measured across the whole multi-channel system
108 m
222 m
295 m
330 m
979 m
Victoria FallsAmicalola FallsDepot Creek FallsEiffel TowerAngel Falls
Khone Phapheng Falls
10,783 m
Victoria Falls
1,708 m
Angel Falls is 4.4× taller than Amicalola Falls. It drops 2.1× further than Victoria Falls (108 m). We don't have a reliable crest width for Amicalola Falls yet, so it is left off the width chart. Tallest · widest lists.
Watch and read
Videos from Amicalola Falls
1:01
3:55
15:40
Chosen from YouTube; videos belong to their creators and play from YouTube's privacy-enhanced player.
Books worth packing
Walking guide
Hiking Waterfalls Georgia and South Carolina
Melissa Watson · 2021
Updated guide to north Georgia waterfall hikes, including Amicalola Falls and the trails of Tallulah Gorge.
On the map
34.5674, -84.2443
Quick answers
Where is Amicalola Falls?
Amicalola Falls is in United States (Appalachians, Georgia), inside Amicalola Falls State Park. The nearest base is Dawsonville and the closest airport is ATL. Its coordinates are 34.5674, -84.2443.
How tall is Amicalola Falls?
Amicalola Falls drops 222 metres (728 feet). It is a cascade-type waterfall on the Amicalola Creek.
When is the best time to visit Amicalola Falls?
Peak flow is March to April and October to November. Spring and fall give the best combination of flow and foliage color along the staircase trail.
What can you do at Amicalola Falls?
Beyond the viewpoints: zip lines, hiking and photography. Access to the main viewpoint is rated moderate — a real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail.
How do you get to Amicalola Falls?
The usual base is Dawsonville, and the closest airport is ATL. A real walk — expect stairs, uneven ground or an hour on the trail from there. State park parking fee.
Nearby
Closest to Amicalola Falls
Lake Trahlyta Spillway
United States · 40 km away
Lake Trahlyta Spillway or Trahlyta Falls is a waterfall located in Union County, Georgia, United States. It…
Anna Ruby Falls
United States · 47 m · 50 km away
Anna Ruby Falls is located near Unicoi State Park in White County near Helen, Georgia. The waterfall is…
Blue Hole Falls
United States · 50 km away
Blue Hole Falls located on High Shoals Creek in the High Shoals Scenic Area of the Chattahoochee National…
Tallulah Falls
United States · 58 m · 80 km away
Anchor of one of the deepest gorges in the eastern US
Via ferrata