Stone Mountain Park
2055 Robert E Lee Blvd
Stone Mountain, GA
One of the largest exposed masses of granite on Earth, a bare gray dome rising from the Georgia pines that you can hike to the top of for a view across the whole Atlanta plain.
Stone Mountain is a giant dome of exposed granite east of Atlanta, one of the largest such masses of bare rock anywhere in the world. It swells out of the surrounding pine forest as a pale gray hump, and from its summit you can see across the flatlands to the Atlanta skyline and, on a clear day, the distant blue ridges of the Appalachians. The mountain anchors a large state-owned park of lakes, woods, and trails.
You can reach the top two ways: on foot up the steep, mile-long Walk-Up Trail, or by cable car for those who would rather ride. Either way the summit is a wide expanse of open stone dotted with shallow pools and hardy, specialized plants. The mountain also carries a heavy human history, from Native peoples to a large Confederate carving on its face that remains a subject of serious public debate.
What Guests Love
- Hiking the mile-long Walk-Up Trail to the bare summit for a sweeping view
- Riding the cable car to the top for those who would rather not climb
- Miles of shaded trails and quiet lakeshore away from the crowds
- The strange, moonlike feel of walking across acres of open granite
Worth Knowing
- The Walk-Up Trail is short but steep and fully exposed, so bring water and sun protection and avoid it in storms
- The summit is bare rock with lightning risk; come down if weather threatens
- The Confederate carving on the mountain's face is a source of ongoing public debate about how the state remembers its history
- Early morning is coolest and quietest, especially in the humid summer
Details
Stone Mountain, GA
Learn about Stone Mountain Park
How the great dome formed
Stone Mountain is a mass of granite that formed deep underground, where molten rock cooled slowly into a hard, coarse-grained stone many millions of years ago. What you see today is only the top of a much larger body of rock, most of which is still buried beneath the surrounding land.
Over vast stretches of time, the softer rock and soil that once covered it wore away, exposing the resistant granite dome. Geologists call this kind of rounded, exposed rock mass a monadnock. The bare summit weathers in a slow process where thin sheets of rock peel away like the layers of an onion, which is part of why the top is smooth and curved rather than jagged.
A long human history
Long before it was a park, the mountain was a landmark for Native peoples of the region, including the Muscogee (Creek) and Cherokee, whose homelands covered this part of Georgia before they were forced west in the era of the Trail of Tears. The bare rock and the surrounding country were part of the land they lived on and traveled through for generations.
The most contested part of the mountain's history is the enormous carving on its north face, begun in the 20th century and depicting Confederate leaders. It is the largest such relief in the world, and its origins are tied to a period of Confederate memorial-building and to the revived Ku Klux Klan, which held gatherings at the mountain. Today the state that owns the park and many Georgians continue to debate how, and whether, that carving should stand, and any honest visit reckons with that history.
Trails, the summit, and the lakes
The classic thing to do is climb the mountain. The Walk-Up Trail rises about a mile from the base to the summit, gentle at first and then steep and fully exposed on open granite, with handrails on the steepest pitch. The reward is a summit of bare rock and long views, and for those who prefer to ride, a cable car carries visitors to the top.
The wider park wraps the mountain in woods and water. A long walking trail circles the base, shaded paths wind through the forest, and lakes offer calm shoreline and quiet coves. Away from the busiest attractions, it is easy to find a stretch of trail or lakeshore to yourself, especially early in the day.
Life on bare rock, and the seasons
The summit is a harsh little world of its own. Shallow depressions in the granite fill with rain and support specialized plants that can survive baking sun and sudden dry spells, including a rare red-stemmed plant that turns patches of the rock crimson in late summer and fall. It is a fragile community, easily crushed underfoot, so the guidance is to stay on the rock and off the plant mats.
Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons, with mild air and, in fall, color in the surrounding hardwoods. Summer is hot and humid, and the exposed summit can be punishing at midday, so early starts are wise. Winter is cool and quiet, the bare granite stark under a low sun, and storms can move in fast, so a clear forecast matters before you climb.
Closest Boutels
The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is an independently owned, editorially selected place to stay.
Things to Do Near Stone Mountain
Downtown Atlanta
About 18 miles, a 30 minute drive
The state capital and cultural hub, home to major museums, the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, and a lively food and music scene.
Stone Mountain Village
About 2 miles, a 5 minute drive
A small historic town at the foot of the mountain, with antique shops, a walkable main street, and old railroad-era buildings.
Arabia Mountain
About 15 miles, a 25 minute drive
A quieter granite outcrop and nature preserve with trails across bare rock and rare plant communities, part of a national heritage area.