Amicalola State Park – Creek Trail

Difficulty: Moderate

Distance: 0.6 Miles

Blaze: Yellow

This will be the last trail I write about from Amicalola Falls State Park, or at least until I get back up there for the Springer Mountain Approach Trail.

Creek Trail completes the hiking loop that I have taken from the Visitor’s Center to the Falls, and back again.

Creek Trail essential runs from an area close to the Base of Falls parking area, and the reflection pond and then begins to run parallel to Amicalola Creek, and ends in the parking area opposite the Visitor’s Center.

At the top of this trail, near the Base of Falls parking area, Creek Trail runs along with Mountain Laurel Loop Trail, and descends Amicalola Ridge. Officially Creek Trail becomes its own trail once one hikes down a set of broken wooden stairs off of Mountain Laurel Loop Trail. Be careful with the stairs, especially if it is wet. They are slick and in disrepair.

From the bottom of these stairs, follow the sign and the yellow blazed trail down to the Visitor’s Center.

The trail actually does not meet up with its namesake Amicalola Creek for some time, and when it finally reaches the Creek, it sits well above it along Amicalola Ridge for quite some time.In fact, the trail does not truly run close to the Creek until a little over half of the trails completion.

Despite this fact, the trail still provides a beautiful hike, and an excellent view of the lower portion of Amicalola State Park.

Prior to reaching the Creek, there is an interesting building, that appears to be made of concrete, to the right of the trail. I am not sure what the purpose of the building is, but it appears to have some maintenance purpose.

Finally, just past this building some of the first views of the Creek can be seen in the distance.

While continuing down this trail, there will be a few short, steep switch backs, some of which can be quite tricky when wet, while others are well established staircases.

These staircases and switchbacks will eventually lead the hiker down closer to Amicalola Creek. From here the trail continues to run almost completely parallel to the Creek.

The trail finally ends at a Creek crossing that puts the hiker in a Parking Area and Grassy Field just across from the Visitor’s Center.

Nearby Trails

East Ridge Trail – 1.0 Miles

Base of Falls Trail – 1.0 Mles

Spring Trail – 0.4 Miles

Mt. Laurel Loop - 1.0 Miles

Appalachian Approach Trail – 8.5 Miles

Hike Inn Trail – 5 miles

West Ridge Falls Access Trail -0.3 Miles

Directions from Ellijay:

Follow GA-52 approximately 21 miles to Amicalola Falls State Park.

Directions from Dawsonville:

Take Hwy. 53 west to Hwy. 183 north to Hwy. 52 east.