First Timer’s Guide to Hiking to Len Foote Hike Inn

Everything You Need to Know Before You Go

Would you hike 5 miles to stay in a hotel?

Len Foote Hike Inn is located inside Amicalola Falls State Park in Dawsonville, GA, just a few miles from the southern approach to the Appalachian Trail.  There are no traditional roads to get here. It’s accessible only by hiking 5 miles on a scenic trail through the Chattahoochee National Forest.

The hike is a big part of the experience, and the reward at the top is 100% worth it. The inn is Platinum LEED certified with a beautiful design inspired by Japanese teahouses, and it's one of the most interesting getaways in Georgia. 

I highly recommend it to anyone who loves unique travel experiences — I’ve visited it as both a day hiker and as an overnight guest, once with my daughter when she was 12, and most recently with a friend.

Don’t miss this one.  There’s really nowhere else like it in Georgia.

Len Foote Hike Inn

Is the Len Foote Hike Inn Right for You?

This is a great first backpacking-style experience. You don’t need to bring much since it’s a “no tent, no cooking” wilderness experience.  If you’re already comfortable hiking for a few miles on outdoor trails, this will be easy for you! I’ve done this hike with my daughter (who was 12) and also with a friend. Just be aware of your surroundings — this is bear and snake country.

The inn itself is beautiful in its simplicity, and the rooms are basic. If you’re looking for luxury accommodations, a TV, or an in-suite bathroom, this might not be for you.

Cell service is limited and varies by carrier (I’m on Verizon, and it worked fine). Because the inn is designed to be an unplugged experience, there is no Wi-Fi.

Reservations, Planning & Checking-In

The Hike Inn accepts walk-ins, but they can’t guarantee them — especially on weekends and during busy periods so reservations are recommended. 

Guests are required to check in at the main Visitor Center in Amicalola Falls State Park. There is a $10 parking fee — or you can grab a Park Pass at your local library for free parking. After check-in, you’ll be directed to where to park your car near the trailhead at the top of Amicalola Falls (it is well marked with signs).

Important to Note: All guests must check in at the Visitor Center by 2 PM.  This is strictly enforced for safety, and late arrivals will not be permitted to hike to the inn.

Allow yourself 2-3 hours for the hike — we took our time, and it took us 2.5 hours. We checked into the visitor center at noon, and this gave us plenty of time to settle into our room, shower, explore, and have enough time to join the 5 PM facility tour.

Check in at the main Visitor Center in Amicalola Falls State Park

What to Pack/ What’s Included

I packed an extra set of clothes, a sweatshirt for the early morning chilly weather, another pair of shoes to change into after the hike, toiletries, and a refillable water bottle. That’s it!

If you’re traveling during the colder months, you can bring a sleeping bag, but they also have plenty of blankets and heaters to keep you cozy, so it’s not necessary.

Provided:

• Dinner + Breakfast are included (there were also snacks available to those who arrived early enough)

• Drinks: Coffee, tea (sweet and unsweetened), lemonade, and water

• Linens: Sheets, blankets, pillows, and towels

• Lighting and mirror in Bunk Room

• Fans in Summer

• Heaters in Winter

• Bathhouse has hand soap, soap/shampoo combo in the shower, and blow dryers

• Games, Puzzles, Books

• Adirondack Chairs

What to Bring:

• Basic Toiletries - toothbrush, toothpaste

• Any Medications

• Water Bottle (there is a filling station)

• Extra Set of Clothes/Shoes to Change into when you arrive (if you want)

The Hike: What to Expect on the Trail

It is about a 5-mile trail from the parking lot to the inn.  You’ll pass streams, cross boardwalks, and do a moderate amount of uphill walking, but I didn’t find it to be a particularly strenuous hike (I walk every day, but it’s been a while since I’ve hiked). There were people on the trail with boots and poles, but I did this hike wearing an old pair of sneakers and was fine. 

You’ll mostly be on wooded paths, and there are not many overlooks during the hike — so if you see one, take the time to pause and enjoy the view! There are a few places to sit and relax along the way, and we also saw people stopping for lunch on the trail.

The 5-mile trail to Len Foote Hike Inn

The Inn: What to Expect

After walking 5 miles, you might be surprised when you see a building appear in front of you — it fits so well into the landscape.

You’ll enter the lobby where a member of staff will greet you and explain everything you need to know about your stay (dinner and tour times, where you’ll find the bathrooms, etc.), and hand you a bag with your sheets and towels and a key to your room.

Bunk Rooms - there are 20 bunk rooms (some private, most shared).  The rooms are small with a bunk bed (linens, pillow, and blankets provided), a small mirror, a stool, and plenty of hooks for your things. What’s not included: NO OUTLETS (although there was an outlet on the ceiling for the fan).

The idea of Len Foote Hike Inn is to enjoy the experience offline.  While guests are welcome to use their camera, cell phone use is discouraged.

If you need to charge your device, there is a solar charging station in the lobby.

Note: Bunk Rooms can hold a max of 2 adults plus 1 child (there is a floor mat available). They do have a few adjoining rooms for larger families.

Our bunk room

Bathhouse: Across from the bunk rooms, there is a bathhouse with separate spaces for men and women with sinks, hair dryers, and shower facilities (all-in-one soap/shampoo provided).  Several compost toilets are located in individual rooms down the hall (there is zero smell — you’ll learn why on your tour).

The women's bathhouse

Dining Room: Past the bathhouse, you’ll find the dining room. Dinner and breakfast are included with your stay, and the food is exceptionally good! Everything is served family-style at communal tables, and they have zero-waste goals at every meal. You can refill your plate as much as you want, just make sure to eat whatever you take (and save room for dessert!). They offer a vegetarian option — make sure to make that note when you reserve your room.

If you arrive at the inn early enough, you will find snacks in the dining room (we were treated to a delicious slice of chocolate cake). Drinks like lemonade, sweet/unsweet tea, water, and hot water for tea are also available.

The dining room

The Sunrise Room: This is the main lounge space. You'll find a wrap-around porch with plenty of seats in addition to the main room with games, puzzles, books, and more.

The Sunrise Room

💡DAY HIKER TIP: Afternoon snacks and drinks are available to day trippers (with donations recommended). This is a great option if you want to visit the inn without spending the night. You’re welcome to have a snack, use the bathroom, sit on the Adirondack chairs, and enjoy the view.

Day hikers are welcome to visit

Schedule of Events

2 PM Check-in and snacks available to guests + day hikers until they run out

5 PM Facility Tour: After you’ve had a chance to check into your room and relax, there is a facility tour where you’ll learn all about the green efforts of the inn — from their impressive compost station to the architecture of the spaces.

Learning about Len Foote's sustainability efforts on the facility tour

6 PM Dinner is served — we had roast turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad, bread, and butter, plus an incredible blackberry crumble for dessert.

Dinner

7 PM Evening Program: Each evening, the inn hosts an educational talk. During my most recent visit, there was a terrific presentation about a staff member’s safari experience in Africa. I’m so glad we joined the talk, it was such a nice way to spend the evening!

EVENING Relax in the main lobby (look out for the naturalist journals featuring guests' wildlife sightings) or visit the Sunrise Room, where you’ll find puzzles, games, books, and even a couple of guitars!

6 AM Coffee is ready in the dining room

Watch the Sunrise: One of the best parts of the experience is seeing the sunrise over the mountains.  In the morning, if the weather is cooperating, the staff will beat a drum, alerting visitors that it’s time to wake up if they want to view the sunrise. (Please note that during our stay, we did not hear the drum, so you may want to set an alarm.)

8 AM Breakfast is served — we had eggs, bacon, grits, and peach spoon bread.

9 AM-10 AM Check Out

Sunrise, breakfast, and saying goodbye

Saying Goodbye

After breakfast, it’s time to pack up your room and allocate used/unused linens to their appropriate bins.  If you want to buy some Hike Inn merch, this is the only place to buy it, and you should, because you earned it. They have a great collection of t-shirts and also other things like hats, stickers, and ornaments.

Hike Inn merch

💡 TIP: Bring cash — there is a tip box available for staff.

Say goodbye to the friends you met over shared meals and sunrise views, and begin your hike back down. I’ll warn you that the closer you get to your car, the sadder you’ll feel that it’s all coming to an end. 

This is definitely a one-of-a-kind experience. If you get the chance to go, take it.

MORE INFO: Visit www.hike-inn.com. com for more info on pricing and other FAQs

VOLUNTEER: The inn relies on volunteers to keep things running. Learn more about becoming a Friend of the Inn.

[Disclosure: I was hosted at Len Foote Hike Inn on my most recent visit and went independently on my first visit. This article reflects my experience.]

xoKerry