Erosion and hiker use have degraded sections of the East Ridge Trail, which will be closed for renovations this fall.
The striking, well-appointed Visitors Center completed at Amicalola Falls State Park in 2023 welcomes park goers with its modern yet rustic design, comfortable interior with local cultural exhibits and amenities that backpackers and day-trippers enjoy. But, just a few steps past the $3-plus million facility the parkscape seems to descend into the dark ages. Originally established in 1940, sections of the much-loved park are showing their years. Cracked and lumpy paved paths lead to a cheerless old playground, shabby-looking group shelters and restrooms built in the 1960s, and much-used picnic tables and rusted grills.
That discrepancy is slated to fade in the near future due to the park becoming a finalist for a Conserve Georgia grant for conservation and outdoor recreation projects. The $3 million grant and additional funds from supporting organizations is expected to bring the common area adjacent to the visitor center into the 21st century. A separate $750,000 grant will pay for trail improvements this fall.
The park is “pretty much guaranteed” to get the Conserve Georgia funds from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Stewardship Program, according to James Hamilton, Operations Director of the North Georgia Mountains Authority. The NGMA, an administrative arm of Georgia DNR, manages the park in coordination with Coral Hospitality, a Florida firm that operates several Georgia State Parks.
Hamilton expects renovations of the common areas to start in January pending DNR’s final review of the proposal. He said in July, the project had not yet been put out for contractors’ bids. When complete, visitors will enjoy “much more modern” gathering places near the park’s entrance, he said.
“The area between the shelters, playgrounds and bathrooms has sustained heavy use for decades,” Hamilton said. Pathways are eroded and cracked from stormwater run-off and root intrusion. The group shelters, where families and friends gather for reunions and birthday parties, have stood on exposed foundations for years.
“We’ve struggled trying to find the funds” for upgrades, Hamilton said, adding park service money is insufficient for the overdue renovations. “The park has needed an overhaul for 15 to 20 years.” The $3 million grant is accompanied by an additional $230,000 from NGMA, Friends of Amicalola Falls State Park, and the Friends of Georgia State Parks.
“The day use area that will see improvements is a high traffic, high use, section of the park. The improvements will help address aging facilities and walkways that are in need of being replaced. The project will improve safety, accessibility, aesthetics and functionality of the day use space for a better visitor experience,” said Kyle Smith, park manager.
Group shelers built at Amicalola Falls State Park in the 1960s are slated for renovations through a Conserve Georgia grant.
“The improvements to the environment will be very meaningful to park visitors. The space needs to be able to accommodate high visitation and crowding; improved restrooms, accessible walkways, picnic areas, a new playground space, and shelters will help with that,” Smith said.
A makeover is also planned at the area around the Reflection Pond, a popular fishing hole and resting spot. Erosion and foot traffic near the parking lot has exposed roots on “goat trails” along Amicalola Creek, Hamilton said.
The circular depression with a picnic table in the center of the parking lot appears treacherous to walk down into. An observation deck with picnic tables may fill that hole.
“Another grant project will see improvements to East Ridge Trail, which is badly eroded and in need of improved water mitigation methods,” Smith said. “ The trail will be closed for the improvements, but there isn’t a timeline for that yet. West Ridge Trail will remain open for the fall.” Hikers planning to walk to the top of the falls from the visitors center will need to re-route their climb along alternative trails.
Hamilton said a $600,000 Recreational Trails Program Grant from Georgia DNR and $150,000 from NGMA, Friends of Amicalola Falls State Park, and Friends of Georgia State Parks will go toward reworking the worn East Ridge Trail, which is the main path hikers follow to the falls overlook.
The steep terrain and foot traffic at Amicalola Falls State park create maintenance challenges.
The topography of the 829-acre park between Dawsonville and Dahlonega creates harsh conditions for maintaining trails and common areas for people to use. “The terrain at Amicalola Falls is so steep and it drops into a confined narrow valley,” Hamilton said.
Amicalola Falls ranks among the top Georgia State Parks for visitation. Many come to see one of the highest cascading waterfalls in the Southeast. Thousands of backpackers intending to tread the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine often set out on the AT Approach Trail just behind the visitors center. Hikers with shorter trips in mind trek to the Len Foote Hike Inn, a primitive lodge accessible on a 5-mile trail. Day-trippers stop in for meals at Cascades restaurant in the 57-room lodge near the top of the falls. The lodge, 13 cabins, and 18 campsites provide overnight stays.
The grants are expected to help ensure the park’s legacy. Hamilton said they will conserve the park’s resources for the public to use for many years.
“Amicalola Falls State Park is one of the most loved park spaces in the state,” Smith said. “Come visit the park on any weekend or during leaf-watching season and you will agree. The recent investments and improvements to the park help us manage visitor impact. Managing visitor impact helps sustainably protect the park’s natural and cultural resources. (The park) sees hundreds of thousands of visitors a year and we want to be able to preserve the outdoor experience found here for future generations, in perpetuity.
Photos: by Jane Harrison
