Getting to Amicalola Falls/Springer Mountain

[JojoSmiley]

Getting to Amicalola Falls State Park, Georgia

From the Atlanta Airport: You can use the MARTA trains to either the Greyhound station or the Amtrak station. MARTA, (404)848-4711.
To get to either of them take the MARTA train north from the airport.
For the Greyhound station exit the train at Garnett station at 232 Forsyth Street.

For the Amtrak station: exit at the Arts Center station and take bus #23 or walk to the Amtrak station on Peachtree Street aprox. 1 mile north. Other options from the airport to the bus and train stations include taxis and the Atlanta Airport Shuttle, (404)524-3400, a privately owned bus service. The shuttle vans leave the airport every 20 minutes from stall #10 of airport’s ground-transportation area, bound for the bus station and Amtrak station. After reaching one of these stations your options multiply.

Gainesville: Two buses and one Amtrak train leave daily from Atlanta.

Greyhound: (800) 231-2222, www.greyhound.com (http://www.greyhound.com/).
Amtrak: Reservations are required. (800) 872-7245, www.amtrak.com (http://www.amtrak.com).

Gainesville to Amicalola Falls State Park
UNITAXI, (770) 534-5355 or (770) 297-0255, offers service to the state park ($55 fare); transports dogs and accepts only cash or traveler’s checks. Service to trailheads at Nimblewill Gap(2.2 miles S. of Springer mountain) and USFS 42 (.9 mile S. of Springer mountain)are available for an additional cost.

Dahlonega-Hostel: A.T. Hiker Hostel run by Josh and Leigh Saint, (770)312-7342, www.hikerhostel.com (http://www.hikerhostel.com/)., administrator(at)hikerhostel.com, $55 thru-hikers special includes pickup at N. Springs MARTA station in Atlanta, overnight stay in hostel, resupply stop at outfitters, B, and shuttle to Springer or Amicalola. Gear shipment to hostel available.

Survivor Daves' Trail Shuttle: 678-469-0978 www.atsurvivordave.com (http://www.atsurvivordave.com). <atsurvivordave(at)yahoo.com>Roswell, Ga.
Provides shuttle services to/from major areas including Atlanta Airport, Gainesville Bus/AMTRAK Terminal, and North Springs MARTA Station to Amicalola Falls State Park, Springer Mountain (via FS 42), Woody Gap, Neels Gap, Unicoi Gap, Dick's Creek Gap and as far as Fontana Dam. Will stop at the outfitter and/or supermarket for supplies (time permitting).
Reasonable rates. 24 hours notice please. Leave a message, he will get back within a short time.

Alternatives:
Several Trail enthusiasts in the Atlanta area offer shuttles. The ATC usually has an updated list each year. Arrangements with these folks are best made at least a week or two in advance. Check the ATC website under “Shuttle List” for the updated list. If you prefer a hard copy write to the ATC, attn: Shuttle List , 799 Washington St. Harpers Ferry, WV 25425-0807.</atsurvivordave(at)yahoo.com>

[halibut15]

Only use Unitaxi if you are fluent in Spanish. Not many of the drivers speak English. Kinda cool they go to Amicalola though!

[jags]

Thanks Jojo, that's useful information.
I wouldn't want to get lost BEFORE I get on the Trail. ;)

Jags

[bosnbill]

I am driving from Florida in May and plan to leave my jeep someplace safe (paid)
then take a shuttle to Amicalola for a two week hike on the AT, end up where ever, I am not in any hurry, catch a bus back to my jeep.

Help with directions and a place to leave my jeep. I have never Hiked the AT before

[Lone Wolf]

You can park at Amicalola State Park for $3 for 6 months or more.

[tiamalle]

Only use Unitaxi if you are fluent in Spanish. Not many of the drivers speak English. Kinda cool they go to Amicalola though!
http://appalachiantrailservices.com/index.php?env=-inlink/index:m123-1-1-1-s&reset=1 here is a link os shuttlers there and this taxi speaks english and spanish,also paddy's taxi in Dahlonega is american owned.

[Johnny Appleseed]

I parked here for 5 months on my thru hike and my truck was unhurt at the visitors center long term parking. I would recommend this for others. Its great to take a bus back and see what you passed all this time.

[buzzamania]

I talked to Leigh Saint. She just quoted me $88 from Unicoi back to Amicalola plus 10% per additional person. Sounds resonable especially compared to a taxi. But Dave referred me to Wes at 706-747-2671 who offered to take up to 4 people from Unicoi back to Amicalola for $85 flat.

[angelgrievous]

this is exactly what i needed

[Rambler]

I highly recommend staying at Hiker Hostel. Leigh and Josh are both from the area originally. When they thru-hiked the AT they kept hearing of hikers' problems of getting to Amicalola, so they built the Hostel. They can shuttle you within a mile from the start of the AT on Springer. It is a great place to meet other hikers about to start the journey north. You will not leave there hungry. It is better than a Hilton. My wife and I stayed there a week, slack-packing through GA.

[betsi]

AT Survivor Dave is awesome!

[Graywolf]

I talked to Leigh Saint. She just quoted me $88 from Unicoi back to Amicalola plus 10% per additional person. Sounds resonable especially compared to a taxi. But Dave referred me to Wes at 706-747-2671 who offered to take up to 4 people from Unicoi back to Amicalola for $85 flat.

I havnt used the Hiker Hostel, but from my reads and talks, they seem to be pretty reasonable accomadations.. Wes shuttled me last August and was in contact with me several times by email. He really is a good guy..

I think it would be a hard choice between the 2.. But with food at the Hiker Hostel, well now, that is an added bonus...

Graywolf

[lastminute1257]

I am a former thru-hiker from 2008, and I can give rides to and from the airport to the trailhead, and I also have a cabin up in elijay about 20 mins from trailhead that I can put you up in for the night if need be. Call me at 678-887-6588 I love to help fellow thru-hikers!

[Lagging Behind]

What's everyone's opinion on Survivor Dave's shuttle? Anyone used him before? He seems like a straightfoward guy

[roy_hiking]

Need a ride to Springer Mt. (or Amicalola Falls S.P.) around the 20th March 2011, will be starting my 3th "AT thru-hike" attempt. I can meet my ride in GA, Atlanta (train station or bus or at a rail station) or Gainesville, GA, bus or train station.

I hiked from Springer thru the Smokies in '2000. Hiked from Springer to VA, then flipped to Katahdin and hiked south, a total of about 1600 miles. Then I hiked all the rest of the AT over the next five years, So I am a 2000 miler, just not a "AT thru-hiker".


Thanks,
Roy "Bayou" Knight
504-343-3734
roy_hiking@yahoo.com

My Facebook Page www.facebook/royhiking

[tawa]

What are the options for over night at Amiccolola as I would like to leave fairly early in the morning when I start up the approach trail. Someone said the Hostel at Dahleonega is nice but that they don't take you to the approach trail until around noon on the day you leave.
Interested in hearing from others on how long the Approach Trail to Springer Mt /Shelter takes and what time they left and stayed the night before.

[walkin' wally]

What are the options for over night at Amiccolola as I would like to leave fairly early in the morning when I start up the approach trail. Someone said the Hostel at Dahleonega is nice but that they don't take you to the approach trail until around noon on the day you leave.
Interested in hearing from others on how long the Approach Trail to Springer Mt /Shelter takes and what time they left and stayed the night before.

You could call the Hiker Hostel at the number in the first post. They are nice people. I am staying there in March. I think they said something about 8:30 am for a dropoff after breakfast. Noon doesn't seem to make any sense.

[Trailweaver]

I've used the Hiker Hostel numerous times and always got my ride whenever I asked for it. I've also left my car for however long I was out, and it's always right where I left it. Josh and Leigh are really great, serve a tremendous breakfast, and the HH is a great facility. You can ask them about leaving your car with them - I have never had a problem; don't know what they do for folks who want to leave a car for long term.

[Sugarfoot]

Tawa -- There is a lodge at Amicolola State Park. The dining room has an AYCE breakfast buffet. As an alternative, the State and the GA AT Club run the Hike Inn about 2 near level miles from the top of the falls in Amicolola -- includes dinner and breakfast, a bunk with sheets, and even showers. It's a very green facility. Taking the Hike Inn Trail as opposed to the Approach Trail cuts off the peak of Frosty Mountain, which depending on your perspective can be a good thing or a bad thing. Links are www.gastateparks.org/AmicalolaFalls and www.hike-inn.com.

[Diet Orange Soda]

My husband stayed at the Len Foote Hike Inn last Thanksgiving and it was awesome and is 4.5 miles from Springer. They do require reservations so be sure to call as far in advance as possible. The food is great dinner and breakfast included.

[Appalachian Adam]

Hello all,

I'm an Atlanta area section hiker who can shuttle to Amicalola and beyond. My information is below (more info on my webpage - see link).

Appalachian Adam

Atlanta, GA
404-781-9108
www.AppalachianAdam.com

Shuttles to the trail from the Atlanta area and throughout N.GA and
Southern TN/NC. Female specific shuttles possible by my wife. Package
receiving, supply stops, and other services possible. Call or visit
website to make arrangements!

[Northern Lights]

Thanks for that information! I was going to start looking for shuttles or bus service from Atlanta to Springer and you have it all here. That is a fantastic time saver for me :)

[will1972]

Most of the drivers of Unitaxi DO speak english. I live in Gainesville.

[mystery]

I am looking to leave my car in Bryson City, N.c.,then get to Springer to start my hike back to Bryson. Any suggestions how I could get from B.C. to Springer sometime mid week next week? Thanks!

[Tailwinder]

More or less, how long does it take to get from Hartsfield Intl to the Dahlonega or Amicolola area? Looking at airport to MARTA through Atlanta and shuttle car from MARTA station. Appreciate any help!

[max patch]

Its a 45 minute ride on Marta from the airport to the North Springs station, and then maybe an hour to Dahlonega or an hour and 15 minutes to Amicalola State Park from the station. To that add 15-30 minutes for "slippage" -- waiting on Marta, getting from the train station to the parking lot, etc.

[Tailwinder]

Max Patch -- Thank you--exactly what I needed. Tailwind

[MichelleB.]

If anyone needs a taxi to Amicalola Falls/Springer Mountain, Give Lloyd a call at 770.572.7487. Rates are very affordable and he is very dependable and prompt.

[Mike2012]

I'm beginning to think about how to get from Gainesville, GA Amtrak station to Amicalola SP so nice bump.

[Hairball]

Hi! I just left you a voice mail reference your cabin and shuttle service. I'm looking to start my NOBO on March 27th or 28th. Let me know rate and availability. Thanks!

[Hairball]

Dude your GoDaddy website says it expired last week on the 14th. Thought you should know. I used to deal with GoDaddy and disliked them very much. Hope to see your site back up and running. Thanks.