Stone Mountain State Memorial Park Travel Guide

  Take a Left at the Top
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Explore Stone Mountain State Memorial Park

Things to Do  

Take a Hike up the Stone Mountain

Take a Hike up the Stone Mountain, Stone Mountain State Memorial Park

 riorich55 Says:  After I had walked around the base of Stone Mountain for a while I had a decision to make. Do I take the tram to and from the top, or drive a little further into the park and take the 1.2 mile hike to the top. A no brainer for me.I had my "These Shoes Have Hiked In The Swiss... 

Stone Mountain State Memorial Park

Stone Mountain State Memorial Park, Stone Mountain State Memorial Park

 Yaqui Says:  Stone Mountain is a quartz monzonite dome monadnock. It rises to 1,686 feet (513 m) elevation and 825 feet (251.5 m) from the ground. If that was not impressive enough, it is also the largest bas relief sculpture in the world of three Confederate leaders of the Civil War,... 

Laser Spectacular Show

Laser Spectacular Show, Stone Mountain State Memorial Park

 Yaqui Says:  Within the confine of the park and from the huge area just below the carving, they use Stone Mountain as the backdrop for a laser light show spectacular. It combines very colorful lasers, surround sound and awesome special effects into a 40 minute light show, precisely... 

Cherokee Trail

Cherokee Trail, Stone Mountain State Memorial Park

 Yaqui Says:  Or you just want to hike the local area, a good choice is the Cherokee Trail, which is a 5-mile (8.0 km) National Recreation Trail, this trail loops around the mountain base, with a mile section going up and over the west side of the mountain and eventually crosses The Walk... 

Walk Up Trail

Walk Up Trail, Stone Mountain State Memorial Park

 Yaqui Says:  If you don’t like to hike or have some disabilities, please utilize the Skylift.The summit of the mountain can be reached by The Walk Up Trail located by the Confederate Hall and West gate entrance. This is a 1-mile (1.6 km) trail to the top of Stone Mountain ascending 786... 

Summit Skyride

Summit Skyride, Stone Mountain State Memorial Park

 Yaqui Says:  My hubby said this was a wonderful experience to ride to The Summit Skyride, which consist of a high-speed Swiss cable car that transports its guest 825 feet from the ground to the top of the mountain. What is really neat about the ride is you get the bird’s eye view of the... 

Confederate Hall and Museum

Confederate Hall and Museum, Stone Mountain State Memorial Park

 Stephen-KarenConn Says:  The Confederate Hall and Museum is a stately white columned structure which affords a commanding view across the Memorial Lawn to Stone Mountain and the Confederate Memorial Carving. Inside you will find a museum which highlights the carving and the engineering feat that... 

The Harvey Water Clock

The Harvey Water Clock, Stone Mountain State Memorial Park

 Stephen-KarenConn Says:  The Harvey Water Clock. is a unique contraption that I could watch and study transfixed in amazement. A fly ball governor regulates the amount of water which turns a water wheel, which in turn operates the gears to register the hour, day, month and year. The Harvey Water... 

The Confederate Memorial Carving

The Confederate Memorial Carving, Stone Mountain State Memorial Park

 Stephen-KarenConn Says:  It's difficult to appreciate the size of the Confederate Memorial Carving from a photograph. The three men on horseback look almost small against the massive side of Stone Mountain. This magnificent memorial consists of three acres of chiseled granite making it the largest... 

See something besides the stone!

See something besides the stone!, Stone Mountain State Memorial Park

 Herkbert Says:  Setup within the park are some beautiful old plantation homes that you can tour. The guide on the day that we visited was informative and fun. Take some time out of your schedule to see how things used to be. 

Restaurants  

Miss Katies Sideboard Restaurant: Great Southern Fried Chicken

Miss Katies Sideboard Restaurant: Great Southern Fried Chicken, Stone Mountain State Memorial Park

 Stephen-KarenConn Says:  There are a few places within the Stone Mountain Memorial Park in which a person could get a light snack. Miss Katies Sideboard Restaurant is the only place in the park to get a sit down meal with service. I have eaten here on a couple of occasions and have thoroughly... 

Summit Snacks: Cool off with an Icee

Summit Snacks: Cool off with an Icee, Stone Mountain State Memorial Park

 Stephen-KarenConn Says:  Summit Snacks, located beside the aerial tramway at the very peak of Stone Mountain, is a small spot with a limited menu. However, it is a very welcomed place to get a light snack or a cold drink, especially if you have just hiked up from the back side of the mountain on a... 

Nightlife  

Memorial Lawn: World's Largest Laser Light Show
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2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Stephen-KarenConn 2608 reviews
Memorial Lawn: Seating for the Lazer Light Show

A favorite family activity at Stone Mountain is the famous Lasershow. Billed as the "World's Largest Lasershow Spectacular," it transforms the Memorial Lawn into a giant amphitheater. This Stone Mountain Park signature event is an Atlanta tradition. The 40 minute Lasershow combines colorful lasers, surround sound and special effects, all choreographed to popular and patriotic music.

The grand finale to the show is a fantastic fireworks display. The Lasershow is free with your $8.00 vehicle fee to the Park

The Lasershow is presented nightly during season. At the time of this posting, the 2008 schedule has not yet been released.

Updated Jan 18, 2008

Website: http://www.stonemountainpark.com/mini-section/default.aspx?id=5

Related to:
 National/State Park
 Family Travel

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Transportation  

Stone Mountain Scenic Railroad

Stone Mountain Scenic Railroad, Stone Mountain State Memorial Park

 Stephen-KarenConn Says:  A ride on the Stone Mountain Scenic Railroad is an excellent way to get an overview of the Memorial Park. It can also be a practical way of getting around to the back side of the mountain. The full size locomotive of 1940s vintage pulls several open passenger cars. The five... 

Stone Mountain Skylift

Stone Mountain Skylift, Stone Mountain State Memorial Park

 Stephen-KarenConn Says:  There are two ways to get to the top of Stone Mountain. You can walk up, or you can take the Stone Mountain Skylift. I've gone to the top several times both way, and both are fun. The sky lift is a lot easier, although you'll probably have to wait in line for your turn on... 

Ride the Riverboat

Ride the Riverboat, Stone Mountain State Memorial Park

 Stephen-KarenConn Says:  Beautiful Stone Mountain Lake lies at the base of Stone Mountain and no trip to the park is complete without taking a ride on it's tranquil waters aboard the riverboat Scarlett O'Hara. The boat is named for the heroine of, "Gone with the Wind," a novel set in Georgia during... 

Shopping  

Various: Glasses, candles and fudge
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goingsolo 2750 reviews
Stone Mountain State Park

There are some interesting shops in the park and in Memorial Hall, near the mountain. You can purchase hand made candles, leather goods, clothing, candy and souveniers. But the most interesting shop, in my opinion, is in Memorial Hall where you can see and buy, if you like, civil war memorabilia.

Updated Apr 28, 2005

Address: Stone Mountain State Park

Website: www.stonemountainpark.com

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Warnings and Dangers  

Don't Fall off the Mountain
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2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Stephen-KarenConn 2608 reviews
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Don't even think about coming to Stone Mountain to do a little rock climbing. It isn't allowed. However, anyone who wishes may take the 1.3 mile hike up the back side of the mountain to the top. It is steep in places, but not a bad hike for anyone in reasonably good shape. Visitors may also take the aerial tramway up and walk back down, or vice versa. However, if you do so, you will have to catch the train back around to your starting point, since the tram and the trail are on opposite sides of the mountain.

A chain link fence protects visitors from getting too close to the sheer face of the front side of the mountain. An agile fool could climb the fence - which is illegal - and potentially deadly.

Updated Jan 18, 2008

Website: www.stonemountainpark.com

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Off The Beaten Path  

Grist Mill and Covered Bridge

Grist Mill and Covered Bridge, Stone Mountain State Memorial Park

 Stephen-KarenConn Says:  Stone Mountain State Memorial Park is much more than just a big chunk of rock with a carving on it. Throughout the park are exciting off-the-beaten-path discoveries to be made.Two of our favorites are the restored old Grist Mill and Covered Bridge which have been moved to... 

The fountain

The fountain, Stone Mountain State Memorial Park

 goingsolo Says:  This should give you an idea of how touristy this park actually is. This fountain, located in a corner of the park, not only "talks" but squirts people with water. Its an interesting show and, while not worth the price of admission, at least this part is free. 

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Map of Stone Mountain State Memorial Park