Covered bridges are wonderful examples of craftsmanship, but they should also be appreciated as engineered structures. The general objective of a covered bridge design is to provide a cost-effective, functional, safe, and durable crossing. Although I think there are exceptions and this one basically goes nowhere being it was repurposed and preserved for all of us to enjoy it's not really being used as it was originally intended it is a beautiful structure and if you've never driven across one of these magnificent structures here's your opportunity. I've visited a number of these historic and nostalgic bridges over time, and it's always a thrill when they still allow traffic to pass. This one lane wonder requires one too pay close attention since you are required to straddle the center of the bridge with your wheels along a path of rough cut lumber. If you really want to connect with this structure you must walk across it using the original designated pedestrian side of the bridge, you can feel the strength of the design and appreciate the workmanship of those that created this beautiful piece of art... read more

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Beautiful covered bridge in Stone Mountain Park. When you cross the bridge you are in an area with lots of picnic tables and walking trails along the river. Very peaceful, absolutely gorgeous views of the lake. read more

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Covered bridges have always fascinated me, but it wasn't until about May of last year that I decided to begin to seek them out. Georgia has approximately 16 covered bridges around the state of various lengths. Many of them were built by Horace King, a former slave who earned his freedom by being the master of his trade or by his son Washington King. (see my Red Oak Covered Bridge review for more info on Horace: http://www.yelp.com/biz/red-oak-creek-covered-bridge-woodbury#hrid:CavIunzkcdi5LPRW9vDS-A ) HISTORY OF STONE MOUNTAIN BRIDGE Built in 1892 by Washington King using the Town Lattice method, it was originally located in Athens, Georgia @ College Avenue. It was built to span the 162 feet required to cross the Oconee River. Mr. King won the contract to build the bridge with a bid of $2,470 (which online calculators say is about $63,000 in today's dollars). He also built Watson Mill Covered Bridge (see review: http://www.yelp.com/biz/watson-mill-bridge-state-park-comer-2#hrid:wsV8FC0rGvFIoXYT6lQ1pA ) and Euharlee Creek Covered Bridge. The bridge was condemned/decommissioned in 1963 and sold February 18th, 1964 for $1. It was moved to it's current location in Stone Mountain Park in March of 1965 at a cost of $18,000 and reduced 11 feet to it's current 151' length. I wish I would have known it had been condemned prior to driving a car over it 50 years after it was deemed unsafe... LOL! O_o FROM A SLAVE STORY TO BURLESQUE SHOW Today it spans a portion of Stone Mountain Lake to reach Indian Island picnic area. It's been called the College Avenue bridge, the Oconee River bridge, and Effie's bridge after a nearby bordello (a.k.a brothel). To this day Effie's is memorialized in a comedy/dancing/strip tease vaudeville burlesque revue called "Effie's Club Follie." The show has been described like this: "Think of it as a combination between MTV's 'Jackass' and the talent portion of the Miss America pageant." History can be fun and it's hilarious to see where a little research can take you. A slaves story to a modern day burlesque show... life is indeed colorful. THE VERDICT Anywhoo, Stone Mountain Bridge is a beautiful structure that has been restored from it's condemned status to light traffic use. It makes an excellent backdrop for wedding pics or vintage family photos. I went with fellow yelper Jamarcus T who is currently the DUKE of Stone Mountain Park and even he was not aware of this bridge. It's sort of hidden if you aren't looking for it, but the yelp map I set up should easily guide you to it if you are interested in bridges as I am. But don't expect to see Effie's brothel girls hanging out on the other side of this landmark... this is a family park for crying out loud!!! LOL Yelp100 [46] read more

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This review is mainly for King's Trail and Indian Island. I didn't want to create a new Yelp review page for it and added it here instead for others to explore the beauty of it in a short walk, just one mile. This past summer, I was trying to find where Indian Island was so I could hike King's Trail. But I was unsuccessful finding it. I wanted to explore more of the trails at Stone Mountain. Everyone and their mama knows about the Walk Up Trail, I frequently go there but it's so crowded. I would go extra early hike up and watch the sunrise. If I want to avoid the massive crowds, I have to come by 8 am, especially in the warmer months because it would be too hot when you get to the top. Then everyone also knows about Cherokee Trail, the paved cement 5 miles trail that goes around Stone Mountain. In the past, I've gone to the Nature Garden Trail before, it's a short hike and you get to see the label plants. It was recently until I was looking at Yelp reviews and went on Richard R's list and saw his review on Stone Mountain Covered Bridge. I thought to myself, as much as I've visited Stone Mountain, where is this bridge? Then I read Jamarcus T's review too. I actually asked him where it was located. A few days, I finally came and I saw. Honestly, I've walked on Cherokee Trail twice within the past month, not all in the same day, and noticed the quarry so I wanted to check it out. During those times, I already hiked the Walk Up Trail and was half way on Cherokee Trail. From what I read, the bridge leads you to Indian Island to hike King's Trail. So I followed directions and saw the water wheel and drove past the picnic area and on a narrow road and finally saw the covered bridge!! I was so happy when I saw it. Only one car is able to go on the bridge with a walk through way for pedestrians. The bridge does make a good backdrop for lifestyle photoshoot if you like that rustic feel. Once you park, you will notice lots of picnic tables. It is so beautiful and serene. There's a small dirt road and you just follow it, Most of it outlines the small island. There are a few times you are really close to the edge but it's not difficult or dangerous. When walking, you will notice on the other side of the lake, the campground. If you continue to walk farther, you will see Stone Mountain from afar. A few trees are marked with white paint in case you think you're lost. Definitely will come back! I really enjoyed it and will find time to hike Stone Mountain's other trails as well. 2017 Review #23 read more

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Before you do anything, after you find this bridge tucked away in the far corner of stone mountain park, take a minute, have a seat at one of the nearby park benches, and just listen to the sound of the bridge as a car crosses it. Yes, it creaks and jostles, but that's a kind of charm and character that you just don't hear all to often, while you're shooting down an interstate. Now that that's done, The covered bridge at stone mountain is one of the areas that if you're going just for the mountains, or you don't have a "what's down there" mindset, you'll miss it, and that's a shame. Located just before you reach the roundabout, hang a sharp right and take and soak it all in, but keep in mind only one car can cross at a time. On either side of the bridge, you get to see Stone mountain's lake up close, along with a passing kayak or school of ducks/geese. Very nice place to have a picnic, or as I stumbled across by accident, a wedding (sorry guys). It's one of those "just when you thought you'd seen everything" at stone mountain, here you are with another place to snap some photos. Check it out! read more

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Watch out for the robber barons that hide in the rafters! This is a great little bridge that connects you to an island of hiking. Super easy for children and even allows dogs! While walking there, we saw three paddle boarders who were enjoying a quiet afternoon on the lake. They paddled right under the Bridge. read more

Stone Mountain Covered Bridge - Hiking Near Me - Stone Mountain, Georgia

So cute and quaint. Worth the detour on your way to see the carvings to drive and walk across the bridge. You don't get to see bridges like this anymore! The bridge takes you to a little island which is a great place for a hike or picnic. read more

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Beautiful place, but... Beware of Sexual Harasser I live in Stone Mountain and used to walk my dog on Indian Island at Stone Mountain Park every day. it is a beautiful place, and lots of people walk their dogs there. Last year, I met an eighty year old man who also walked his dog there. He seemed like a nice person, like everybody else who I had met in the park. I knew him for a few weeks and we walked our dogs together. I told him about an experience I'd had there with a man approaching me and saying something very inappropriate (of a sexual nature). I thought he understood. He said that even though he (also) found me attractive, that he could restrain himself because he was an older man. He said: "As long as you don't do anything to make me believe that you want otherwise." (This sounds very creepy as I write it. I should have been way more careful.) I agreed to be friends with this person who is married and has children and grandchildren. After I had exchanged phone numbers with him, he (almost immediately) said: "If we became lovers... I wouldn't want you to get hurt." I was too shocked, but the next time I met the man, I told him that I could not be friends with him. He kept calling me, and once he stopped his pickup truck in the middle of traffic to say: "Hi! How are you?". I reported all this to the police, but was told that they couldn't do anything because the man had not touched me. I was told that the man had not done anything illegal and that he had as much right to be there as I did. Over the past twelve months, I have complained about him to the police because he does not keep his dog on a leash and when his dog approaches me, he believes that he has the right to smile, and say: "Hi." and walk by me. I don't walk my dog there anymore. I write this review to warn other people, families with children, and older women like myself. Women have to be careful wherever they are, but beware of the eighty year old man who doesn't have his dog on a leash. He drives a silver colored pickup truck. He thinks he owns Indian Island. Description: Eighty year old male of European descent, walks a little bit stooped. Height: 5 ft 10 in. Looks like a normal (friendly) person, but has very little shame, and an extremely high sense of entitlement. This is a follow up to the review I submitted on Dec 28, 2017. Today is Feb 1, 2018. Description: Eighty-one year old male of European descent. Height: about 5' 10" walks a little bit stooped. Name: Jules Dominguez read more

The bridge is beautiful and worth seeing. The island has a great short hike called Kings Trail, also worth walking. The bridge is older and some of the wood needs repaired, but it appears cosmetic. read more