Hiking Stone Mountain State Park

Stone Mountain State Park is a very unique place to hike. The park features several hiking trails, the most popular of which circles the iconic granite mountain, makes its way along Stone Mountain Falls and provides a glimpse into what life was like centuries before it was even made a state park.

Stone Mountain Loop Trail

The Stone Mountain Loop Trail is a 4.3 mile-long trail that winds around namesake Stone Mountain. It affords great views of the 200′ high Stone Mountain Falls. The trail runs through the Hutchinson Homestead, where you can see what it was like to live under the shadow of Stone Mountain 100 years ago. You can start at the upper parking lot, which is closer to the falls or the lower parking lot, which is closer to Hutchinson Homestead. The trail is pretty strenuous.

Wolf Rock and Cedar Rock Trails

The Stone Mountain Loop Trail was pretty busy the times I went. A lesser known and less busy trail is the Wolf Rock to Cedar Rock trails. From here, you can see Stone Mountain from a different perspective. You’ll pass both the Hutchinson Homestead and a separate abandoned cabin. If you’re looking for a lesser travelled trail at Stone Mountain, this might be a good option.

Widow’s Creek Falls Trail

Another short, easy hike will take you to Widow’s Creek Falls. The trail continues on for another mile for an out and back hike of 2.5 miles. Widow’s Creek Falls makes for a popular swimming hole and water slide.

Historic Hutchinson Homestead

Like much of the Blue Ridge and Appalachian mountains, Stone Mountain was settled by English, German, Irish, French and Scots-Irish settlers. They built homes, farms, mills, churches, and schools. They carved out homes for themselves from a hard land in a harder time. One of these homesteads, the Hutchinson Homestead, is located at the base of Stone Mountain. It is a beautifully restored 19th century mountain community. The Stone Mountain Loop Trail passes by the Hutchinson Homestead.

Here’s a nice article from Sarah Martin Byrd, a local with a history at Stone Mountain:

I think back to the ones who settled in the shadow of Stone Mountain. The first homesteaders were the Hutchinson family. They came to reside at the base of Stone Mountain in the 1850s. John and Sidney Jane Brown Hutchinson built a log cabin in 1855. In this tiny house John and Sidney Jane raised a family of eight children.

Stone Mountain State Park – Highlights

Besides hiking, there are a lot of other things to see and do at Stone Mountain State Park:

Recommendation

Hike beautiful and historic Stone Mountain and then head over to Roaring River Vineyards for delicious food and wine for lunch or dinner. Be sure to call ahead for reservations. This makes a great day trip before heading back to Fancy Gap and Pilot’s Perch.

Other Particulars