Stone Mountain: A Historic Monument In Atlanta

Stone Mountain: A Historic Monument In Atlanta
Jamillah
Jamillah 
Published
| 2 min read

One of the most iconic symbols in the Atlanta, Georgia area, Stone Mountain is a historic monument with a storied past. The park at Stone Mountain is located on an astounding 3,200 acres of land and has a wide variety of outdoor activities all year round. The mountain is a large dome, quartz monadnock or isolated rock that rises 1686 feet above sea level. It boasts the largest high relief sculpture in the world that depicts three civil war heroes, President Jefferson Davis, General Robert E. Lee, and General Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson. One of the most popular things to do is to hike to the top of Stone Mountain, it’s a unique way to experience the park and is easy enough for all family members to enjoy.

Hiking up Stone Mountain

stone mountain: a historic monument in atlanta | hiking up stone mountain

Hiking up to the top of Stone Mountain is a popular activity that can be done by all ages. A good time to attempt the hike is during the cooler months. If it’s done in the summer, it should be done in the early morning before the sun gets too hot, since there are no trees at the top of the mountain to provide shade. The one mile hike up to the top is fairly easy and little more than a leisurely climb to the top. It’s easier at the base and middle of the mountain, it get a lot steeper towards the very top and can be a little harder to manage as you make your way up. There is a rest shelter towards the middle of the climb and it is the perfect place to rest and catch your breathe. At the steepest part of the climb, the park service has provided rails to help visitors conquer the mountain. The hike up to the top will take roughly one hour, depending on how fast you can climb.

Sky Ride

stone mountain: a historic monument in atlanta | sky ride

If you’re not up to the climb, you can always take the easy way up on the sky ride and still get your picture at the top showing everyone how you made it to the top. The ride up to the top takes about 10 or 15 minutes and it lets you out at the visitor center/snack bar. Yes, there’s a snack bar at the top just in case you forgot to pack your own. Once at the top, you can see the Atlanta skyline in the distance along with Kennesaw Mountain. Taking a while to sit and enjoy the view is the best part of the ride or hike up, with views in all four directions you can see for up to 60 miles around.

Stone Mountain Lake

stone mountain: a historic monument in atlanta | stone mountain lake

Another popular activity at the park is visiting Stone Mountain Lake. The lake covers 363 acres, and is a beautiful oasis near the city. Because Stone Mountain sits just 25 mins outside of downtown Atlanta, it’s a great opportunity to experience nature and the outdoors within sight of the Atlanta skyline. The lake is perfect for boating and recreational fishing, but unfortunately, swimming is not allowed because it is an urban lake and the water quality is not monitored on a regular basis.

Nature just outside the city

One of the greatest things about Stone Mountain is its proximity to the Atlanta metro area. Stone Mountain is an amazing natural beauty that is easily accessible. It provides a great opportunity to unwind, explore, and take time with yourself, friends, or family.

Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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I’m Jamillah and I’m an architect who’s traveled through Asia, Latin America, Africa volunteering and helping to build homes. Through my company Inspired Wandering I take my love of travel and...Read more

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