I had the opportunity to take a business associate to eat at the buffet. Talk about horrible. I don't even think that is the correct term to use. We arrived at 11:15 and the restaurant was not even open no one greeted us and explained to us that they did not open until 11:30. There was not a sign posted. Finally the hostess opened and took us to a table and a slouchy server was propped up at what looked to be a dessert bar and made a comment that it was not 11:30 yet. I chose to eat the soup and salad bar, was that a huge mistake! usually you cant go wrong with soup and salad however the food tasted old and the soup should not have been served I would not have gave that to my dog. It was all but spoiled. My business associate ate the full buffet and stated that the food had no taste and she loved the dessert bar but said that the pie she ate (peanut butter) tasted like it had come straight out of a box. The server looked to be the unhappiest person that I have ever seen. No one smiled actually lthey looked miserable. The only good thing about this state park was the decor.

Friends converging from 3 states; we drove up from Athens, GA and met old friends and their new kids there for the weekend in mid Sept. We had 3 BR, one for each family, 2 BA, a great kitchen, family room and screened in porch. we hiked the falls but mostly just enjoyed the lodging. we had everything we needed for a great weekend to catch up, cook good food, sit around the campfire, and the kids had plenty of room to play. i recommend it. hopefully more friends will visit from out of town so we can go back!

My husband and I were looking for a break from the heat of August in Atlanta. We decided to visit this park and stay overnight in the lodge. We were very glad we made this choice. The view from the lodge and rooms is wonderful. The lodge is in great shape and our room was very clean, nothing particularly fancy, but good accomodations. The dinner was a prime rib buffet which sounded great, but turned out to be very ordinary. The breakfast buffet the same - regular food like you'd expect at a conference. We attended a park program in the Lodge lobby about animals that come out at night, and the Ranger did an excellent job and we actually learned some interesting things. She actually brought out real animal skins to pet, and also real animals Posey the possum and Zeus the Owl. The Lodge has a great fitness trail with stations along the way, which was a fun addition to the amenities. We hiked the 600+steps to the falls and around then to the visitor center. What a great adventure. The steps are very sturdy and it is hard to believe there are so many. It is a bit strenuous but there are plenty of places to rest along the journey up (and back down). The Ranger at the visitor center was very informative and also had great stories of hikers coming off the AT. All in all, it is a wonderful place to take a break and also get in some great fitness, beautiful falls and views. We highly recommend you go, just don't expect high end food!!

I visited this park for the first time while visiting at my grandfather's house near Ellijay, and it turned out to be a great day-trip. There is a negligible $3 parking fee upon entrance. The visitor's center has several nature displays with stuffed wildlife, as well as some live snakes and darters. Here is where to get a souvenir, like one shirt I saw: "I survived the 415 steps to Amicalola Falls." For many, it can be close.

We hiked from the visitor's center to the falls, choosing not to cheat by driving to the top and dealing with only a hundred steps instead of the more than four hundred from the bottom. We found families fishing at the reflection pool at the base of the ascent trail. It followed a picturesque cascading stream, and after some steep climbing came into view of the tumbling falls. At 729 feet tall, it is the highest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi. We visited during a drought, and it was still breathtaking. I could see why the Cherokee named it Amicalola, meaning "Tumbling waters."

After a few more (hundred) steps, we were greeted by great views atop the boardwalk right above the edge of the falls. We saved our knees with a more gentle decent through the forest back to the visitor’s center. We all agreed that the trip was well worth-it for anyone in the area, and I will definitely be back in the spring to see the falls when they are in full strength.