Hotel at a Glance: Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge

Amicalola Falls—one of the Southeast's tallest waterfalls—surges over a rocky precipice within Amicalola Falls State Park. The 729-foot cascade, whose name is a Cherokee word meaning "tumbling waters," is located just a short walk from The Lodge at Amicalola State Park. Perched on a bluff overlooking the North Georgia mountains, the lodge sits amid picturesque scenery near a trout-stocked pond and meandering trails through the Chattahoochee National Forest.

• Guest rooms are newly-renovated with a mixture of plaids and textured fabrics.
• Share vacation photos when you log on to the WiFi connection.
• Unwind at night while watching an array of channels on your room's satellite TV.
• Admire nature's beauty as you wander through one of Amicalola Fall State Park trails.

Amicalola Falls State Park, Georgia: Picturesque Cascades near Historical Towns

About 70 miles north of Atlanta, Amicalola Falls State Park boasts cascades that are viewable from several vantage points for hikers. There are a number of trails in the park—the gently sloping 0.3-mile West Ridge Falls Access Trail boasts waterfall views for those avoiding a strenuous hike. For those who prefer to climb, a massive staircase leads trekkers up the mountainside adjacent to the waterfall, eventually arriving at the apex of the cliff. Serious hikers can make the 8.5-mile journey on the new Appalachian Approach Trail, which meanders past the falls to Springer Mountain. Once there, guests can hike a portion of the 2,175-mile Appalachian Trail, which winds its way north to Maine.

Housed within the historical Lumpkin County Courthouse, the Dahlonega Gold Museum Historic Site recounts the town's 1829 gold rush. The mining boom was brief but prosperous—a US branch mint opened and coined more than $6 million in gold before closing its doors in 1861. The museum also exhibits a set of gold coins, a hydraulic cannon once used for mining, and a gold nugget that weighs more than 5 ounces.