Stone Mountain State Park
July 2019
A Spectacular 600-Foot Granite Dome
The 14,351-acre Stone Mountain State Park is a favorite among hikers, rock climbers, campers, anglers, and everybody else, who wants to enjoy its beautiful scenery. The park features several waterfalls, 21 miles (33.8 km) of hiking trails and breathtaking views from the 600-foot granite dome, called Stone Mountain. The dome is estimated to be about 400 million years old.
The difficulty of the trails ranges from easy to strenuous.
Should you prefer a more leisurely walk, then you may want to park your car at the Lower Trailhead Parking. From there it is an easy walk to the Hutchinson Homestead. The trail then continues through the forest to the base of Stone Mountain Falls, an impressive 200-foot waterfall.
Stone Mountain Loop Trail: 4.5 miles (7.2 km) - strenuous
The Stone Mountain Loop trail takes you across the summit at 2,305 feet (703 meters). You can start the loop at the Lower or Upper Trailhead Parking.
If you only want to savor the spectacular views from the dome, I suggest parking your car at the Upper Trailhead Parking. Starting the Stone Mountain Loop Trail from there will shorten the ascent considerably and make it a little bit less strenuous. You can then walk back to your car. However, should you decide to continue and hike the entire Stone Mountain Loop Trail, please keep in mind that at the end of the loop you have to climb many flights of stairs along the 200-foot Stone Mountain Falls before you reach the Upper Trailhead Parking.
Some hikers prefer to leave their car at the Lower Trailhead Parking and begin their ascent to Stone Mountain from there. The advantage of hiking clockwise is that once you reach the top of Stone Mountain, the rest of the hike is more of a descent. However, the climb at the beginning is grueling with countless stairs and deep steps.
The Upper Parking Lot connects with the Stone Mountain Loop Trail. After a 20-minute ascent, we reached the first of several lookouts.
The views from the second clearing along the trail are magnificent. In the background, you can see the Cedar Rock lookout.
Here is a view of the 600-foot granite dome. The surface is very smooth, polished from 400 million years of rain and wind.
The panorama that unfolds in front of you is spectacular.
Small cavities in the rock allow trees to grow.
Walking on the granite feels a little surreal, almost like walking on the moon. Again in the background is the Cedar Rock lookout.
The long-range views of the Blue Ridge Mountains are just breathtaking. We enjoyed every moment before heading back down towards the Lower Trailhead Parking.
The park also preserves the area’s rich history. The restored Hutchison Homestead features several buildings from the mid-1800s, such as a log cabin, barn, blacksmith shop, and meat house.
You can relax on one of the wooden benches at the Hutchinson Homestead and view the beautiful granite dome.
Wolf Rock Trail and Cedar Rock Trail (moderate)
The lookouts Wolf Rock and Cedar Rock are both located southwest of Stone Mountain. Wolf Rock faces west while Cedar Rock faces the famous granite dome.
You can start from the Lower Trailhead Parking and hike up the ridge to Wolf Rock first and then continue to Cedar Rock before you descend and connect with the Stone Mountain Loop Trail.
The west-facing Wolf Rock offers stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
From Cedar Rock, you have an incredible view of Stone Mountain, and if you hiked the Stone Mountain Loop Trail, you would appreciate what you have accomplished.
3042 Frank Parkway, Roaring Gap, NC 28668
Park Office:
Tel.: → (336) 957-8185
Directions:
From the Blue Ridge Parkway:
Exit the Parkway at the junction with US 21 and go south towards Roaring Gap. Turn right on Old Gap Road/Oklahoma Road (SR 1100). Turn right on John P. Frank Parkway.
From Interstate 77-N:
Exit I-77 left at exit 83 towards Roaring Gap and follow US-21. Turn left on Traphill Road (SR 1002). Turn right on John P. Frank Parkway.
November to February:
Mon. to Sun.: 7am to 6pm.
March, April, September, October:
Mon. to Sun.: 7am to 8pm.
May to August:
Mon. to Sun.: 7am to 9pm.
All year.
Free admission.
Fishing:
Permit is required.
Camping:
Fee.
Free parking is available throughout the park.
The park features 21 miles of trails ranging from easy to strenuous. Three waterfalls, Stone Mountain Falls, Lower Falls and Middle Falls, can be reached from the trails.
A large picnic area with picnic tables, grills and restrooms is located south of the Upper Trailhead Parking.
The path from the Lower Trailhead Parking to the Hutchinson Homestead as well as the main campground are wheelchair accessible.
Restrooms are located at the Upper Trailhead Parking, the Picnic Area and the Lower Trailhead Parking.