Amicalola Falls State Park and Approach Trail

Although totally optional, visiting the arch, falls and visitors center at Amicalola Falls is a tradition and a most memorable way to start the Appalachian Trail. Staying in the lodge is even better if you want to splurge. From this state park, the approach trail is 8.8 miles to Springer Mountain, the official start of the trail. Many may even skip this approach trail but still come to the visitors center to register their hike so they can get a hiking hang tag (not a requirement).

I wanted to hike the approach trail but also wanted to have my family with me on top of Springer Mountain to take pictures at the summit. To do this, there is a dirt road and trailhead parking lot just a half mile north of Springer Mountain. Many thru-hikers start their hike by getting a ride up this road to the trailhead, hiking a half mile south to the summit of Springer Mountain, then turn back north and start their journey passing the parking lot again in a half mile. So what I did was have my family hike the half mile with me from the road, after reaching the summit of Springer Mountain together, they hiked the half mile back to the car while I hiked the 8.8 mile approach trail backward to the lodge at Amicalola Falls State Park, where I met them in the room. The next day, I got dropped back off at the road a half mile north of Springer Mountain. And thus I was off.

As for the approach trail, there are no grand views but it was once part of the AT. It is a nice walk in the woods similar to the miles and miles of trail ahead. When most northbound thru-hikers are traveling here, the leaves have not come in so it can be rather sunny and bright. The trail crosses one former fire lookout site along the way on Frosty Mountain, once considered for the starting point of the trail. I also bagged Black Mountain and Amicalola Mountain, short off trail summits along the way.