The park is pretty remote, with only occasional cell service (a good thing or a bad thing depending on one's needs). The parking really close to the mountain is handicap only, so the intention is for most people to walk a 4.5 mile loop that goes around the mountain and then up it on the way back. It is a substantial climb, both down into a gully with an impressive waterfall and up the mountain itself. The rock does offer wide-spanning views. The infrastructure was not in ideal shape at the time of my visit, with some water fountains down and other limitations in amenities. I also found the trail setup a bit confusing as following marks led me once to a dead end and in another case, I had to hike on a gravel road a bit to get back to the trail and that wasn't marked clearly as the right way to go. While these things could be improved, the park is an excellent resource and as is standard practice in NC (but not in SC or VA), is free to enter. read more

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Great place to come hike. Lots to see & do. Downside is that kids are allowed to come here & make nonstop noise.

This place has it all! Easy parking to any trail loop, easy to read maps that can be picked up at the visitor's center, and trails that all lead to amazing views. Plan to bring plenty of snacks and water. You will want to spend the day! Most Sincerely, Dayla read more

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Slippery when wet! That's a big rock! Stone Mountain is a North Carolina darling. Never mind that any state with even a corner in Appalachia has a Stone Mountain named in it that looks very similar. But we're here to talk about the BEST Stone Mountain, aren't we? As a park, this is one of the few in NC that has almost everything. The only thing truly lacking is a real pond or lake. However I'd argue that's sufficiently made up for by the streams, falls and watering holes where plenty of people can be found bathing on hot summer days. This giant granite monolith (technically a monadnock) can be seen for miles. You can walk trails around the bottom or take the more challenging Stone Mountain Loop for those photo opps and views. But be careful - the slope can be deceiving and past hikers have been tempted to their death before realizing their predicament. The water cascades are also very "slippery when wet". There's climbing (more like rappelling, to be fair), a significant 10 mile horseback riding trail, camping (for a fee; some with hook-ups), picnicking, an old homestead, trout fishing, and access to the MST (Mountains-to-Sea Trail) with primitive camping. Of course, like almost every NC State Park, this one is completely free to access. read more

This has to be one of the best if not the best State Parks in NC, Every site is meticulously cleaned even the fire ring which by the way is the best looking and safest of any park in the US. The stone is impressive, when I was growing up i used to climb and slide down one just like this but 20 times smaller and I wouldn't dare to climb this one, can't tell one this picture a little white spec, it is a guy climbing. We got here without a reservation and anybody else at the booth would have turned us around but not this lady, she was willing to make an exception and not only that but she gave us a site that someone had vacated earlier leaving the site available and because they left a day ahead of their normal checkout day, she let us in to take that site free of charge. I pray to God I don't get her in trouble with her supervisor. We will be back and next time we will stay a week read more

Stone Mountain State Park - Parks Near Me - Roaring Gap, North Carolina

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What a fantastically beautiful park! So many things to do here, hiking, exploring, picnicking, and learning about history. I particularly loved that they have a mobility-impaired parking lot near the cabins so that I could explore that area without having to do a hike that was impossible. We visited on a weekday, so had the place to ourselves. I will definitely come back in the spring. read more

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This is my favorite state park that's pretty close to Charlotte. We can get there in 1.5 hours which makes for an ready day trip. I've been here three times now with different groups of people and I always do the Stone Mountain Loop Trail. It says it's 4.5 miles, but my GPS had it at just over 5. It's one of the most diverse hikes you can do. I always park at the upper parking lot and then take the trail to the right when it splits. This will take you to the summit first, then you'll hike back down and around to get a view of the mountain from the bottom at a homestead before getting to see a waterfall at the end. The hike is challenging, but not too hard. There are two harder sections--the climb up to the summit and the large number of stairs after the waterfall. The views from the summit are gorgeous and the waterfall is very unique. If you enjoy hiking, I'd definitely recommend this hike! read more

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Aside from the 8-person posse dressed in jeans and polo shirts while blasting "My Milkshake Brings All the Boys to the Yard" and pushing an empty wheelchair (to the top of a mountain), this was a very relaxing and enjoyable experience. I'm in halfway decent shape so the loop trail was more fun than strenuous, but it might not be for everyone. The coolest parts: the peak (of course) and the waterfall at the base (of course). Then again, they wouldn't be as rewarding without the journey (the trail). An imminent thunderstorm added to the adventure. I liked having to make the decision of moving forward with an exhausted dog to beat the storms or stopping to rest for her (chose the latter). We all sacrificed our water for her. She (my dog) was definitely thirsty. When I stopped to pee in the woods (on a tree), she heard the stream and turned to me. Maybe I'm different, but I think it's weird for your dog to see your ding dong, so I turned away in time (no splashes) and we were once gain on our way. As far as the park goes, it's clean, the trails are well maintained, the markers are clear, and the views are very good. You can also sit on rocking chairs on a porch at The Homestead, but it looked like park employees were occupying them. Disappointing, but I don't blame them. The park is easy to get to. Take Ex 83 off I-77. Just make sure you follow the signs instead of directions on your phone, which will lead you to the scenic route. The only reason for a 4 instead of a 5 is because it's not the most amazing park in the world, or in the state, but it's definitely worth a visit. Be sure to hit the ice cream place in the cabin just outside of the park. read more

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Had an excellent time here. The sites were breathtaking, it was an excellent way to get out of the house and enjoy nature. I took my pups with me and they were able to handle it no problem. Will definitely go again maybe with a picnic for the summit. read more

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One of my favorite state parks I've ever been to! While I'm town recently, we hiked the 4.5 mile loop trail, which gives you views from the summit; the mountain side view; and views of Stone Mountain Falls. The hike is moderate to strenuous, but doable if you take your time. We loved all the sights and the trail was well maintained. We want to come back and do other hikes in the future. Highly recommended if you're in the area or passing through! read more

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In a mood for more than just a walk ? This is the place to be! We tried their waterfall trail and climbed up to the peak. A little strenuous but all worth it when you get to the top. Nice view with some cool breeze. If it's your first time, it might be tricky to find the parking that leads to the hiking trails. read more

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This park has both A water fall and mountain Its a great hike up the stairs That i have jogged up read more

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Nice outdoor hike. My dad and I used to hike sometimes. After he passed, my family scattered his ashes here. read more

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Only a 1.5ish hour drive from CLT, this park is definitely worth it. We started at the Lower Parking Lot of the Stone Mountain Loop going counter clockwise and veered off to do the Lower and Middle Falls trails. All in all, I liked this route - it was a good workout, but ended with downhills. I'm sure there are pros and cons to starting at the Upper Lot and/or going clockwise, but regardless of the path you take, it's a fun trail with beautiful summit and waterfall views. (I feel like that was a deeper metaphor for life lol) read more

Stone Mountain State Park - Parks Near Me - Roaring Gap, North Carolina

Awesomeness! A fabulous state park. Free entry. Beautiful scenery. Gorgeous trails. Be prepared to hike if that is your purpose, parts of the loop are strenuous, and precarious. I did not go to the summit, I was not capable of it, but the trail was absolutely breathtaking. A perfect picnic spot at the old homestead, so bring a lunch or snack, sit, soak it all in, and the grandeur of the Stone Mountain will amaze you. read more

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This was our first visit to Stone Mountain and definitely not our last! We arrived mid-day and headed to the visitor center to grab a map and some information about places to hike. We had two teenagers with us so we let them choose which hikes to take. They wanted to see all the waterfalls first. The hike started out fairly easy toward Stone Mountain falls. The views once we reached the first falls were awesome! 220 ft rock waterfall. We continued on the trail which include 250+ stairs straight down to the bottom of the falls. Several children were sliding down the fall at the bottom into the little pool area below. The water was super cold! We continued down the trail towards the Middle and Lower Falls. We were the only folks at the Middle Falls so we hung out there for a bit. On our attempt to see the lower falls, there was a deeper water crossing before we got there that we weren't willing to cross so we turned back. Total trip there and back hiking was around 4 miles and lots of stairs. Worth the hike! After that, climbing to the summit was not going to work out time wise. We decided to hike the 1 mile out to the Hutchinson Homestead to see a view of the actual Stone Mountain. It was gorgeous! I've never seen anything like it! We walked around the Homestead and hiked our way back to the car. We will definitely come back again to hike the summit. We can't wait! read more

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Use to be good and people were respectful. Now walking up the trail you are forced to listen to people with huge speaker in book bags woth filthy music, N***er, F*ck, etc. Apparently headphones aren't good enough. read more

Beautiful view good easy hike. Good place to take photos. Wish their was a ski lift. Easy to move at ur own pace read more

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B-E-A-UTIFUL! We were not able to explore Stone Mountain State Park for long since we were in a time crunch but wanted to get in a short hike before returning home. The girls and I were able to hike down to see a waterfall and then up to see the summit. Amazing views. Next time I will try to explore more of what Stone Mountain State Park has to offer. read more

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Beautiful state park . I really enjoyed my hike here . I loved the steps down to the water fall but I semi died going back up, haha. I can't wait to get back out and try some of the other hikes . It's only a 1.5 hour ride from Charlotte . I'm hoping for a nice winter to get back out and do some more nature activities! read more

Stone Mountain State Park - Parks Near Me - Roaring Gap, North Carolina

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We thoroughly enjoyed driving through and stopping at the waterfalls, dipping in the water and hiking around with our dog. Less than 2 hours from Charlotte I can see why this place is an oasis for NC residents. If and when family visits I can have full confidence In recommending Stone Mountain to anyone who asks for a great day adventure. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited as with any state park and please be kind to nature. read more

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This is a beautiful state park! We stopped at the visitor center for a pit stop, then drove through the park. We didn't stop and hike, but there seem to be lots of trails, both for hiking and for horseback riding. Look forward to going back and exploring some more! read more

The drive takes a little longer for us to get to from Winston-Salem, something like an hour, but we absolutely love the hike because it's so family-friendly. We brought the entire family once. Impressed, a hiker stopped us to ask my Grandma how old she was as she was hiking to the top of the summit with us. If you do the whole trail it's a really good workout. There's an easy way where you start at the top then circle around down the mountain or the hard way where you start towards the bottom and work your way up. Either way, 70+ years old and she keeps inspiring all of us. Otherwise, it provides a lot of scenic views along the way with waterfalls and outlooks, a variety of routes for all hiking levels, and leaves you feeling like you got a great workout at the end of the day. Love it! read more

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Neat spot not too far away from Charlotte for a day hike. Trail was marked nicely, and the lower parking lot had a bulletin board with maps. Trail includes the Hutchinson Homestead, the waterfall, and summit view. read more

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Great spot for hiking. We did the Stone Mountain Loop Trail. Facilities at the visitor center and at the trailhead. We went counter clockwise around the loop and finished with the waterfall area which meant there were a lot of stairs to climb up at the end. That was the only really strenuous part of the trail. It was almost all shaded and not too many people when we started on a Sunday morning but as it got a little later more and more people were seen on the trail. The Hutchinson Homestead is an interesting stop on the trail to see some of the old buildings. We went at the end of June and the rhododendrons were in bloom along the path - gorgeous. read more

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Not too bad of hike with fantastic view at top... had to hustle for sunset pic before park closed... wish it was open for sunrise read more

Stone Mountain State Park - Parks Near Me - Roaring Gap, North Carolina

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Our first time visiting. What a gem and no entry fee! We were disappointed that 10% of the loop trail was closed due to unsafe conditions after damage from a prescribed burn. We still found plenty of trails to hike and highly recommend visiting during the week. No crowds! We actually had the entire picnic area to ourselves for a late lunch (1:30'ish). Hiking options we enjoyed totaled about 7 miles. Wolf Rock and Cedar Rock give you great views of the Blue Ridge. Widows Creek Falls is a super short walk from roadside parking. It offers two free, all natural water slides. The seasoned pros wear shoes--rocks are slippery--and use inflated plastic pool tubes to sit on. Looked like fun, but I didn't see anyone under 13 trying it. So those three hikes are moderate. Stone Mountain Falls offers a stair climber workout and without the loop option it's easy down, but you must come back up. Pack water! On the portion of the Stone Mountain Loop trail which is open, you can visit the Hutchison Homestead. Even with buildings closed, except weekends, the interpretive signs were an interesting way to learn about mountain farm life dating back to the 1800s. I would have been happier had the water fountain actually worked--dry as a bone. We checked out group camping, electric and non electric sites. Rates vary from military and senior discounts, and higher weekend rates, so expect to pay $12-$27 per night. Wow what a deal! Even the bathhouses were clean. Very well maintained park. Although I'm not a rock climber or horse owner, these recreational activities are open to you as well and less than 2 and 1/2 hours from Raleigh! Staff are very friendly, helpful and seem to be happy to answer questions. read more

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Got In an amazing hike! I couldn't stop sweating and it's beautiful here! Ill definitely be back here. Don't go here if you haven't eaten because it will definitely drain out your energy! I made the mistake of doing that. I definitely recommend this place, it's amazing and you get in your exercise for the day and get to see the mountains at the same time with really great views at the top! read more

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My wife took me here for my Birthday. Wow, can't believe we didn't come sooner. Beautiful trail. The lower section was very scenic with small creeks, waterfalls and a really cool homestead. He trail looped around a large 200' waterfall with great views. We decided to take the upper section back instead of reaping our hike or (back tracking) much more challenging but still was awesome with unbelievable views from the peak where we had lunch. read more

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Granite Domes and waterfalls dominate this state park nested in the hills of North Western NC. The draw of Stone Mountain is varied depending on your interested, but rested assured that there is something for you here. Hiking: the parked host a bunch of trail and loops that vary from highly traffic to more secluded. During our visit, we started out by doing the Stone Mountain Loop Trail from the lower trailhead. The thought was to get the vertical hiking out of the way first. The trail offers good views of the area, rolls across slabs or granite, and through nestled mountain lurals and waterfalls. We also hike the wolf rock trail to get away from the crowds. This is a similar hidden and small granite dome on the southside. Connecting between Wolf Rock and Cedar rock see if you can find a hidden old' bootlegger's shed and the remnants of a cabin(chimney is all thats left). Climbing: Stone is host to the world of friction slab climbing. The best time to come here for that is in the cooler months because the rock can heat up like a oven in the sun. Most of the climbing takes place in the center of Stone next to the Great Arch 5.5. On a nice cool day, you can see all type of people out climbing in a sea of holdless granite. History: Hike the small distance to the bottom of stone to get information on the living in the area in the past. A heritage site is setup with and old cabin and rebuilt farm. Different plaque are setup to read if there isn't anyone staff at the area in the off months. Fishing: Around the western side large freshwater streams host excellent trout fishing. The streams and creeks, filter into larger sizes in a winding meadow which allows for excellent fly fishing. Go Check It out and Enjoy the outside air. read more

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Stone Mountain State Park in North Carolina is a great state park that has many natural resources on display. There is no charge for admission to the park as it is free for all to enjoy and be a part of at no cost. The park is very clean and well maintained with plenty of nice trails to hike and experience and many other activities to participate in. The trails have varying levels of difficulty as there are easy trails and even more strenuous ones that can provide quite the work out. My favorite was the Stone Mountain Falls trail as you can see the waterfall all the way from the top to the bottom more the two hundred feet up and down. There are several other waterfalls on display nearby and they are all worth the hike to be a part of and feel. This is a great opportunity to be a part of nature and it is very accessible. read more

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This review is for the park overall, as well as the camping area. I stayed here for two days and one night over Labor Day weekend. This is by and far the nicest publicly run camping facility I have ever been to. The bathhouses are brand new and impeccably clean. The tent sights have a great view at the bottom of the mountain on a clear day. The hike is amazing with breathtaking views and a unique stone surface. It's a great hike for the family or a dog. The best part is you get views and waterfalls. The falls are really tall and beautiful. The steps are steep so be prepared. We were able to splash around in the water. Great place for day trip or hiking. Highly recommend!! read more

Good hikes and experiences for all ages! Trails like Willow falls and Stone Mountain Loop are good and have beautiful views! Make sure you pack swimming clothes, since some trails lead to areas good for water play. Good for kids and adults alike, makes a good day trip for a family! For the history buffs, the historic Hutchinson Home will give you that extra boost of knowledge you need! In summary, all hikes are worth the work! read more

One of my favorite places on earth. No, it's not quite Nepal or the Amazon River Basin or the Egyptian Pyramids ... but everyone goes to those places. And you can see them all on TV. Stone Mountain is about the closest place in the mid-Atlantic you can go to be a whole world away from it all. Including - at the right time of year - the crowds. There's a great little campground with nice facilities - even a shower in summer (a far cry from when we had to camp along the dirt road and swim in the creek "back in the day"). There's a big beautiful granite dome, featuring some classic big-slab climbing. It faces south, so you can still get some great climbing days in January (climb during the day in shorts, wear everything you have around the campfire and still freeze your butt off at night). If it rains, there are some cool hiking trails that look out into the Blue Ridge. Plus the Blue Ridge Parkway is nearby. If it snows ... well, you probably need to cancel your trip. They'll likely still be closed 3 days after it's all melted off the roads. read more

Stone Mountain State Park - Stone Mountain main wall - Parks Near Me - Roaring Gap, North Carolina

We went there camping at the end of August, 2010. Temperature was in the 60's at night and 70-80's during the day. I love this place. It is one of my favorite place in NC. Spectacular mountain views, but don't forget what's on the ground also. It has the most impressive collection of little plants and mushrooms I have ever seen in one place, in NC mountains. I love the camping facilities: clean, safe and beautiful. Highly recommended. When you go in the water at the waterfalls, there may be snakes there. Be careful!!! My nieces swam in the water after a hot long hike and when we were leaving, we saw a snake right where they have been sitting. Be careful!!! read more

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Although it's a beautiful park, it's not the easiest when you have a bad knee. I'm 40, and injured one of my knees a few years ago, so I don't handle steps very well. This park has many steps throughout most of the trails that are mostly unavoidable. I went counterclockwise (from the lower parking lot). Once at the lower parking, there's a main trail on the right side, and a handicap accessible trail/road on the left side. We walked the uphill handicapped gravel road but a few cars passed us also. It leads to a handicapped and 1-hr parking lot. From there, it leads to the Homestead area and then follows to either the rest of the loop trail or, to the right, the harder trails (Wolf Rock, Cedar Rock or Blackjack trails). We went left (Stone Mtn loop trail). It's initially a gravel trail and you pass a few bridges and then a few sets of steps with water flowing next to it. After doing about 4 or 5 sets of steps, I stopped before hitting the 300+ steps that run next to the falls. I didn't want to chance it with my bad knee. My husband finished it while I stayed behind and enjoyed the scenery. Although it's a bit strenuous for a person like me, it's definitely worth seeing. It's beautiful and very scenic. read more

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Stone mountain is a beautiful state park about 90 minutes north of Charlotte. It has several hiking trails as well as some campgrounds if you wanted to camp out there. You take some long and windy roads to get to the park, but the scenic views even during the drive are nice. We did the loop trail which is around 4.5 miles and takes you to the peak of Stone Mountain, a waterfall, and plenty of other great views of gorgeous stone mountain. The hike is marked as strenuous, and it wasn't easy by any means as there are a lot of steps on certain parts of the trail. But my finance and I finished easily enough and we're hardly hardcore hikers or anything. I definitely recommend checking this park out if you're in the area. read more

Stone Mountain State Park - From the summit - Parks Near Me - Roaring Gap, North Carolina

Great park. Has enough for everyone! Short hikes or longer ones. Waterfalls, views and and bit of history! Couldn't see it all in one day. Enjoyed it very much will definitely be going back. read more

Stone Mountain State Park - Face of the Stone Mountain - Parks Near Me - Roaring Gap, North Carolina

This is a lovely park, with spacious camping sites, with a picnic table and a nearly ground level barbecue. The layout of this park is very well thought out. You can enjoy the peace of nature all around. We found remnants of deer visiting us at night. Bathrooms are within reasonable walking distance. My husband and I enjoyed the peace and serenity this park provided. We stayed here because we were visiting somewhere nearby, and didn't explore the trails, unfortunately. The biggest drawback, and only one in my opinion is that there is no cellular or wifi signal at all. Otherwise, I have no issues returning and recommending this campground to family and friends.. read more

One of the better state parks in NC IMO. We got there at 7am before the crowds started. The trails are not too strenuous and are very clean! It is nice to be in nature and enjoy the nature!!!! read more

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