Stone Mountain Park

1. History

Resting at the center of the Park, Stone Mountain was created during the formation of the Blue Ridge Mountains over 350 million years ago and is part of the Appalachian Mountain chain. The Mountain is is more than 5 miles in circumference and over 1,600 feet high, the summit of which can be reached by a walking trail on the west side of the mountain or by the popular Skyride aerial tram. The top of the Mountain is bare rock with a few freshwater rock pools and offers breathtaking views of the Kennesaw Mountain, downtown Atlanta’s skyline and the Appalachian Mountains on a clear day.

• What is Stone Mountain famous for?
  • Stone Mountain is known for its bas-relief carving of three Confederate figures from the Civil War on its north face.
• Who is depicted in the Stone Mountain carving?
  • The carving features three prominent Confederate leaders from the Civil War:
    • President Jefferson Davis
    • General Robert E. Lee
    • General Stonewall Jackson
  • The carving also includes their favorite horses.
• How large is the Stone Mountain carving?
  • The carving is the largest bas-relief in the world, measuring 76 feet high and 158 feet across.
  • It is recessed up to 12 feet into the side of the mountain.
  • The carving is positioned 400 feet above the ground.
• Where can I watch a video about Stone Mountain?
  • You can watch a video about Stone Mountain here.

2. Attractions

In addition to the famous Stone Mountain, Stone Mountain Park has several locations of interest and an array of attractions for the whole family to enjoy. Stone Mountain Museum at Memorial Hall is a museum that is dedicated to the geology and ecology of Stone Mountain, as well as the history of the area. The Museum has an excellent array of exhibits and displays and is home to a small theater that presents a historical documentary about the Civil War in Georgia called ‘The Battle for Georgia.’ The Museum also offers a variety of educational programs and classes for students of geology, ecology, and history.

The Antebellum Plantation and Farmyard is a family-friendly, open-air museum designed to replicate a pre-Civil War Georgia plantation. The Antebellum Plantation is home to the Historic Square, which features 19 historic buildings that were built between 1790 and 1875 and are furnished with beautifully restored and preserved period furniture and décor. The Farmyard is home to live animals that visitors can interact with.

Other interesting things to see and do at the Park include a covered bridge dating back to 1892 that once spanned the Oconee River in Athens, a grist mill built in 1869, and a 732-bell carillon that provides a daily concert.

3. The Summit of Stone Mountain

The summit of Stone Mountain can be reached by a Walk-Up Trail on the west side of the mountain. The 1.3-mile trail ascends fairly steeply to the summit height of 1,686 feet and boasts spectacular panoramic views and fresh winds at the top. Other walking trails in the Park include the 5-mile Cherokee Trail, which loops around the mountain base and crosses the Walk-Up Trail for a mile with beautiful views, and the Nature Garden Trail, which is a scenic 3/4 mile loop trail through a mature oak-hickory forest. The two loop Songbird Habitat Trails run cross through shady woodlands and are excellent for bird-spotting.

• What is the Stone Mountain Laser Show Spectacular?
  • The Stone Mountain Laser Show Spectacular is a fireworks and laser light display held on warm summer evenings.
  • The show features moving images projected onto the Confederate Memorial carving, showcasing the history of Georgia and the Deep South.
  • Visitors can enjoy stunning special effects and pyrotechnics during the performance.
• What is the top attraction at Stone Mountain Park?
  • The top attraction is the Summit Skyride, a Swiss-built cable car that provides an easy way to reach the summit.
  • The fast cable car bypasses the Confederate Memorial carving and takes visitors to the top of Stone Mountain, where they can enjoy impressive 360-degree views.
• What is Crossroads at Stone Mountain Park?
  • Crossroads is a replica of a southern town from 1872.
  • Attractions at Crossroads include:
    • Adventure mini-golf course
    • Farmyard with live animals
    • Modern 4-D movie theater
  • The mini-golf course is based on the real-life adventures of the Great Locomotive Chase and offers 18 holes of fun-filled adventure.
• What activities are available for children?
  • The Great Barn is a children’s play area featuring:
    • Climbing structures
    • Slides
    • Trampoline floors
    • More than 65 interactive games
  • The Sky Hike is a fun ropes adventure course where participants can choose their own path and level of challenge.
• What train and tubing experiences are available at Stone Mountain Park?
  • Visitors can ride an open-air train with a full-size 1940s locomotive for a five-mile excursion around the mountain, offering breathtaking views.
  • Avalanche Alley is Atlanta’s only snow-covered 400-foot tubing hill, providing winter fun for the whole family.