Stone Mountain State Park

A National Natural Landmark, wedged between the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Thurmond Chatham Game Lands, Stone Mountain State Park is distinguished by its 600-foot granite dome, a part of a 25-square-mile pluton (igneous rock formed by molten lava). Amid its 14,100 acres, visitors enjoy fly-fishing, hiking, camping, picnicking, rock climbing, horseback riding, nature, and historical buildings and exhibits. Approximately 29 miles of designated waters include the Wild Trout Waters of Garden, Widow's, and Big Sandy creeks, plus the delayed harvest waters of the East Prong of the Roaring River, and catch-and-release Bullhead and Rich Mountain ...

A National Natural Landmark, wedged between the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Thurmond Chatham Game Lands, Stone Mountain State Park is distinguished by its 600-foot granite dome, a part of a 25-square-mile pluton (igneous rock formed by molten lava). Amid its 14,100 acres, visitors enjoy fly-fishing, hiking, camping, picnicking, rock climbing, horseback riding, nature, and historical buildings and exhibits. Approximately 29 miles of designated waters include the Wild Trout Waters of Garden, Widow's, and Big Sandy creeks, plus the delayed harvest waters of the East Prong of the Roaring River, and catch-and-release Bullhead and Rich Mountain creeks. The park offers 88 tent and RV camping sites and areas for group and backpack camping. Climbing and rappelling - with your own equipment and at your own risk - are allowed on Stone Mountain with a permit. The park has seven marked hiking trails, including the 4.5-mile Stone Mountain Loop Trail leading to the summit and a 200-foot waterfall. The Bridle Trail for horseback riding is five miles long. Nature abounds in the park, home to a variety of trees and plants, as well as frogs, box turtles, bobcats, raccoons, deer, foxes and birds such as the scarlet tanager, whippoorwill, ruffed grouse, turkey, and pileated woodpecker. The Hutchinson Homestead, including a log cabin and several out buildings, and the 1897 Garden Creek Baptist Church, are remnants of pioneer life. The visitor center features an exhibit on early mountain culture. The park can be reached via US 21 and the Blue Ridge Parkway (Milepost 230).

About the Expert

Carol Timblin has contributed to numerous guidebooks and authored four editions of Houghton Mifflin's Best Places to Stay in the South.