Stone Mountain Park, located 16 miles east of Atlanta along US-78, is a 3,200-acre state park built around the world's largest exposed mass of granite — a monadnock rising 825 feet above the surrounding Piedmont plain. The granite dome covers approximately 583 acres at its base and was formed roughly 300 million years ago, exposed by erosion over tens of millions of years. It is the defining geographic feature of the park and one of Georgia's most visited natural landmarks.
Carved into the north face of the mountain is the Confederate Memorial Carving, a bas-relief sculpture depicting Jefferson Davis, Stonewall Jackson, and Robert E. Lee on horseback. At 90 feet tall and 190 feet wide, it is the largest bas-relief sculpture in the world, larger than Mount Rushmore. The carving has been the subject of ongoing historical debate and interpretation by Georgia authorities.
Visitors can reach the mountain's summit via the Summit Skyride aerial tram, which travels from near the visitor center to the top in approximately five minutes, or on foot via the Walk Up Trail — a 1.3-mile paved path that gains over 800 feet in elevation. The summit offers panoramic views extending to the Atlanta skyline on clear days. The hike, while short, is strenuous due to the steep incline.
Beyond the mountain, the park encompasses a scenic railroad, a ropes course, miniature golf, a lakeside beach on Stone Mountain Lake, a hotel, and a long-running summer laser show projected onto the mountain face. Spring and fall visits offer the most comfortable hiking temperatures, and autumn foliage adds color to the surrounding woodland. The park's parking fee of $20 per day applies in addition to all attraction tickets; annual passes are available at stonemountainpark.com.
Good to know
- Hours
- Daily 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM (park gates); attraction hours vary seasonally
- Best time
- Weekday mornings in spring or fall; avoid summer weekend afternoons
Location
1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd, Stone Mountain, GA 30083
33.8085, -84.1523 View on map
Highlights
- Stone Mountain granite dome: the world's largest exposed granite monadnock, rising 825 ft above the Georgia Piedmont
- Summit Skyride aerial tram: a five-minute ride from the visitor center to panoramic Atlanta skyline views
- Walk Up Trail: a 1.3-mile paved hike gaining over 800 feet to the granite summit
- Confederate Memorial Carving: the world's largest bas-relief sculpture at 90 feet tall and 190 feet wide
- Summer laser show projected onto the mountain face — a long-running Stone Mountain seasonal tradition
Tips for visiting
- Buy an all-attractions pass online at stonemountainpark.com before arriving to cover the Skyride, laser show, and other activities
- Visit on a weekday morning in spring or fall for the most comfortable hiking conditions and shortest queues on the Walk Up Trail
- Bring water for the Walk Up Trail — no water fountains are available at the summit
- The $20 per day parking fee is charged in addition to attraction tickets — factor this into the total cost
- The summer laser show runs Friday and Saturday evenings and daily during peak season — confirm the schedule before driving out
When to visit
Weekday mornings in spring (March–May) or fall (September–October) offer the most comfortable hiking temperatures and the lightest crowds on the Walk Up Trail. Summer weekends draw the largest visitor numbers and the longest queues for the Skyride.
Accessibility
The Summit Skyride aerial tram provides wheelchair-accessible summit access for visitors who cannot use the Walk Up Trail. The park's main roads and visitor areas are paved and accessible. The Walk Up Trail is paved but steep and is not recommended for wheelchairs or visitors with significant mobility limitations.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to Stone Mountain Park take?
A half-day visit of three to four hours covers the Skyride, Walk Up Trail, and a walk around the mountain base. A full day is needed to include the beach, scenic railroad, and evening laser show.
Is the Walk Up Trail difficult?
The 1.3-mile paved trail gains over 800 feet in elevation and is considered moderate to strenuous. It is manageable for most reasonably fit adults but challenging for young children and those with limited mobility.
Is photography permitted at Stone Mountain Park?
Photography is unrestricted throughout the park. The Walk Up Trail summit offers the broadest panoramic views for landscape photography, and the granite rock face itself provides dramatic close-up subjects.