Stone Mountain

Stone Mountain Park is located just southeast of Atlanta in town of Stone Mountain.  It is Georgia’s most‑visited attraction and the park spans over 3,200 acres.  It centers around the massive exposed granite dome monadnock known as Stone Mountain—the largest in the world—with scenic vistas from downtown Atlanta to the Appalachian Mountains.  Stone Mountain is well-known not only for its geology, but also for the enormous carving of three Confederate icons of the Civil War era which include Stonewall Jackson, Robert E. Lee, and Jefferson Davis.  The park also has a Historic Square with attractions from 1793–1875 – including a preserved grist mill, covered bridge, and Confederate Hall museum highlighting regional geology, ecology, and Civil War history.   

The summit elevation of Stone Mountain is 1,686 feet which is roughly 800 feet above the surrounding area and it is accessible by either tram or via a hiking trail that ascends up it’s western face. The hike to the summit is well-marked with excellent views in the last half mile. It’s heavily used but the large open area and 360 degree views from the summit allow you to get away from the masses. You can climb the 1.3‑mile Walk‑Up Trail (786 ft elevation gain) or enjoy the Summit Skyride, which is a Swiss-built cable car that ascends 825 ft and has panoramic views up to 60 miles.  Try to catch the sunset in the evening if possible for a great silhouette of the Atlanta skyline.  The park is open daily from ~5 AM–midnight and charges for parking.