Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites

Hiking at Amicalola Falls State Park

Hiking

If you enjoy exploring the outdoors on foot, you’re in luck, because Georgia offers some of the most diverse and scenic hiking trails around. You’ll find a new surprise at each and every bend, as the lay of the land is as varied as the flora and fauna. You’ll also discover panoramic vantage points that will more than reward you for your trek. It’s the reason Georgia is known as a hiker’s paradise!

In the north Georgia mountains, hikers will find day hikes and backpacking trails amidst awe-inspiring waterfalls. Waterfalls are a star attraction at Amicalola Falls, Black Rock Mountain, Cloudland Canyon, Fort Mountain and Vogel. Anna Ruby Falls is located just outside Unicoi State Park. In the fall, there's a vast pallet of vibrant, autumn leaves.

Many types of hiking experiences are available. Choose the ones that are best for your interests and ability.

Challenging backcountry trails are found at Amicalola Falls (Appalachian Trail access), Black Rock Mountain, Cloudland Canyon, F.D. Roosevelt, Fort Mountain, Providence Canyon, Unicoi and Vogel. Primitive camping is allowed with advanced reservations. Hike in to the Hike Inn and spend the night. Pack it in; pack it out.

Paved or hard-surfaced trails suitable for wheelchairs and strollers are found at Amicalola Falls (great waterfall view), Cloudland Canyon (parking lot to overlook), Mistletoe (rubber surface), Fort Yargo (Birdberry Trail), Panola Mountain (hilly), Red Top Mountain (short loop), Skidaway Island (some sand and roots), Stephen C. Foster (Okefenokee boardwalk) and Tallulah Gorge (old railroad bed).

Nearly every state park trail provides an opportunity for children to burn off energy and explore nature. A few top choices are at Fort Mountain (lake loop), General Coffee (farm animals), Reed Bingham (gopher tortoises), Skidaway Island (fiddler crabs), Sweetwater Creek (follows a large creek) and Watson Mill Bridge (covered bridge and shoals).

Stretch your legs and your mind on trails at state historic sites. Good choices are Etowah or Kolomoki (Indian mounds), Jarrell Plantation or Hofwyl-Broadfield (farm buildings), New Echota (Cherokee capitol), Pickett’s Mill or Fort McAllister (Civil War), Fort Morris (Revolutionary War) and Fort King George (Colonial Georgia).

Many park trails are well suited for trail running. Athletes are encouraged to look out for other hikers, especially children, during their run. F.D. Roosevelt State Park has twice hosted The Northface Endurance Challenge and looks forward to their visit again in October.

To begin or expand your hiking adventures at Georgia State Parks, join the Canyon Climbers Club and experience some of the system’s most spectacular landscapes.

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