Stone Mountain State Park North Carolina

Stone Mountain State Park, North Carolina, is located in the town of Traphill, NC, and is one of the state’s best-kept secrets. It’s not only an ideal destination for a day trip, but also an excellent spot for camping. Spanning more than 14,000 acres, Stone Mountain Park, NC, boasts lush forests, mesmerizing waterfalls, and refreshing mountain streams.

Visitors can enjoy scenic hiking trails, bird-watching, and observing a variety of wildlife. If you’re seeking a park that offers many activities without the crowds, Stone Mountain State Park is your perfect escape.

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Stone Mountain History

Established in 1969 and designated a National Natural Landmark in 1975, Stone Mountain has two borders: the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Thurmond Chatham Game Lands. 

Before becoming a State Park in 1969, Stone Mountain was likely home to local Native Americans for many years. The numerous streams were an excellent source of drinking water and provided an abundance of fish for food.

For this same reason, it wasn’t long before European settlers discovered Stone Mountain, built homesteads, and began farming the land. Timber on Stone Mountain also made building their early homes, schools, and churches easier. TheHutchinson Homestead is a testament to the former lifestyles of the early settlers on the mountain.

Best Things to Do at Stone Mountain State Park, North Carolina

Stone Mountain State Park Camping

If you are looking for a great place to camp, Stone Mountain State Park is an excellent choice. This park caters to families and larger groups, offering a wide range of camping options to suit everyone’s needs. Below, I have included a handy breakdown of the camping choices available at Stone Mountain State Park.

Family Campground

The family campground at Stone Mountain State Park features 90 campsites, catering to both tent campers and RV enthusiasts within three well-organized loops. Seasonal rates apply for both summer and winter periods. Campers who are 62 years or older and military qualify for $6 discount off the nightly rate.

The campground also offers convenient amenities, including a bathhouse, electric hookups, grills, firewood for sale, and a nearby dump station. For more detailed information on site availability and additional amenities, you can visit the reservations website. This site also offers more photos of the campgrounds and details on accessibility.

• A Loop: hot showers/flush toilets; no electricity or water for hookups. Closed for winter.
• B Loop: hot showers/flush toilets; electric/water hookups available(20, 30, 50 Amp)
• C Loop: use B loop restroom; no hookups
• Dishwashing sinks in restrooms (closed during the winter season) 

Stone Mountain State Park Campground Map

Group Campground

If you have a larger group, Stone Mountain State Park offers four spacious group sites. Not only does each site accommodate up to 25 people, but it also features dedicated restrooms and shower facilities, ensuring a comfortable camping experience for everyone.

Backpack Camping

Stone Mountain State Park also features four backpack camping sites along Widow’s Creek. These sites are accessible via a hike ranging from 1.5 to 3 miles from the parking lot trailhead. Of course, campers are required to self-register and make payments at the backpack camping parking lot, ensuring a smooth and organized process for all. The cost is $12 per night.

Hiking at Stone Mountain State Park, North Carolina

Of course, there are numerous options for hiking at Stone Mountain State Park, which includes over 18 miles of hiking trails. In addition to hiking to the Stone Mountain summit, you can also hike to waterfalls and trout streams. Not to mention, you can also visit the historic Hutchinson Homestead and experience dramatic overlooks. There is even a five-mile trail for equestrians to enjoy.

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Stone Mountain Loop Trail

This 4.5-mile trail takes you across the summit of Stone Mountain, by the Hutchinson Homestead, and to a 200-foot waterfall. Of course, hikers can choose to go to the waterfall or the summit and back without doing the entire loop. 

If you plan to take the entire loop hike, here are a few tips to keep in mind. First, start at the Lower Trailhead parking lot and end with a downhill hike. However, if you start at the Lower lot, consider walking down the 500 steps on the summit side first, by the waterfall.  Second, if you decide to start at the Upper Trailhead, then consider the waterfall side first to avoid hiking the 500 steps uphill.

Cedar Rock Trail

The Cedar Rock Trail is a moderate, 1-mile one-way hike that suits most fitness levels. It branches off from the Stone Mountain Loop Trail, leading you to the peak of Cedar Rock, where you can enjoy stunning views of Stone Mountain.

Wolf Rock Trail

Wolf Rock Trail offers another moderate hiking experience in the park, extending about 1.5 miles one way and providing exceptional views of the mountain. For those looking for a longer adventure, it can be combined seamlessly with the Cedar Rock Trail.

Black Jack Ridge Trail

Accessible from both the Cedar Rock and Wolf Rock trails, the Black Jack Ridge Trail is a 1.5-mile trek along an old roadbed through dense, scenic woodlands. This lovely hike not only features moderate inclines but also rewards hikers with beautiful vistas.

Fishing

Stone Mountain is the perfect place for trout fishing enthusiasts, with over 20 miles of pristine streams dedicated to this popular activity. In the park’s clear waters, anglers can find Rainbow and Brown trout thriving in the lower streams, while the higher, colder streams are home to brook trout. For added convenience, there are two accessible fishing piers along the East Prong of the Roaring River, each with nearby accessible parking spaces.

Before casting your line, please remember that all streams within the park require a valid North Carolina fishing license and trout license.

Stone Mountain State Park, NC Waterfalls

One of my favorite things to do in North Carolina is find waterfalls, and Stone Mountain Park is one of my favorite places to find them.

Stone Mountain Waterfall

To reach the tallest waterfall in the park, embark on the Stone Mountain Trail. As you approach the beginning of the Stone Mountain Loop Trail, take a left for a short hike to the upper falls. Here, you have the option to descend the stairs to two different levels, where you’ll be treated to more dramatic views of the Stone Mountain Waterfall.

Middle and Lower Falls

Looking for more hiking options in Stone Mountain State Park? Then start from the lower parking lot and make your way to the middle and lower falls. This particular route is great if you want a more adventurous hike. As you hike, you’ll pass the historic Hutchinson Homestead and enjoy a picturesque view of Stone Mountain from below. Be prepared for multiple water crossings along the trail to access, adding a thrilling element to your journey to these two falls.

Widow’s Creek Falls

Of course, if you’d like an easy walk to a waterfall, then there’s Widow’s Creek Falls. If you keep going past the Lower Parking lot for just a bit, you will find the parking area for these falls. The path there is an easy, short walk to see the falls. It is definitely a great place to visit in the summer. In addition to the beautiful 25-foot waterfall, there is a large pool at the base.

A Few More Things to Do at Stone Mountain State Park, NC

• Enjoy a family meal or snack at the Picnic Area near the Visitor’s Center
• Climb Stone Mountain ( a free permit from the Stone Mountain State Park is required)
• Swing by Garden Creek Baptist Church – this historic church still holds services from May through October.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, I hope you found this Stone Mountain State Park, North Carolina, post inspiring and informative. Please let me know if you are aware of any notable trails in this area that we haven’t mentioned. Please leave a comment and share your insights. We’d love to hear from you and learn about your experiences!

Furthermore, if you liked this post, you might also enjoy a few other posts on North Carolina, such as Awesome Outdoor Activities at W. Kerr Scott Dam and Outdoor Fun & Activities near North Wilkesboro, NC. Of course, you may also enjoy Blue Ridge Parkway – Photo Inspo from Wilkesboro to Linville Falls, NC.

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