Take a Trip to Stone Mountain Park in Georgia
Stone Mountain is unique among the mountains of the Georgia Piedmont, in fact is unique among all areas of the world. The mountain is in fact a piece of enormous granite that was formed of molten magma some 350 million years ago. Although geologists to this day are still uncertain how this gargantuan rock came to be exposed, exposed it is and is the largest piece of exposed granite in the world.
Beyond the natural beauty of Stone Mountain Georgia it also serves as a historical landmark of Georgia and the south. The face of Stone Mountain bears a carving of General Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis and General Stonewall Jackson known as the Confederate Memorial. The carving was an incredibly long process, beginning with talks in 1909 and not being completed until 1972.
Stone Mountain Park
On February 21st, 1958, Stone Mountain became an official Georgia state park. The bill making Stone Mountain Park was signed into law on that day by then Georgia governor Marvin Griffin. In the 50 years since its creation Stone Mountain has proved to be one of Georgia’s most popular state parks.
The mountain itself is of course the park’s biggest attraction. Nature trails up the mountain and in the surrounding area are very popular both with visitors from afar and from locals. Many locals in the area in fact make regular trips up to the summit. The hike is about 2.4 miles long.
If you are wanting to take a trip to the top of Stone Mountain it is recommended you go early in the morning as after 8:00 AM it starts to get quite crowded (especially on the weekends), although no matter how many people there are it is always an enjoyable experience. Not interested in the walk? You can also take the Stone Mountain Skylift to the summit.
At the top of Stone Mountain you find extraordinary views of the surrounding area. By far the tallest point in the area, the summit of Stone Mountain offers amazing views in all directions. There is also a restaurant where you can enjoy a meal while looking out at the amazing views.
Every Friday during the summer the park also puts on a special laser show on the face of the Mountain where the Confederate Memorial is carved. This is one of the park’s most popular attractions and has been around since 1983. It is a spectacular show.
Stone Mountain Park also hosts a number of attractions: the Antebellum Plantation, centered around the historic Dickey House which was moved from Dickey, Georgia to the site in 1961; the Antique Car Museum, opened in 1963; Crossroads Village, a recreation of an antebellum Georgia town which features a number of family-friendly activities; and finally Ride the Ducks, an amphibian tour where spectators ride re-built and retrofitted DUKWs, amphibious vehicles used by the military in World War II. The tour takes visitors through the park both on land and on the lake where they can experience a unique view of the mountain and surrounding area.
Stone Mountain Georgia is an amazing place and a wonderful spot to visit whether you are a resident of the greater Atlanta area or just passing through.
