Stone Mountain State Park
With our visit to Stone Mountain State Park, we are up to 8 parks in our North Carolina State Park Challenge. Stone Mountain is a gorgeous state park 60 miles Northwest of Winston-Salem. The 600 foot granite dome is at the center of the park along with its’s 19th century farm at the base of the mountain. To have the best view you need to hike the 4.5 miles strenuous trail (Stone Mountain Loop Trail) to see the dome from above and from below. I would agree that this is a strenuous trail and it has a TON of stairs no matter which way you start the loop. At the base of the mountain is a Hutchinson Homestead that you can explore and a meadow for the perfect place for a lunch break.
PRO TIP: if you don’t think you can do the whole loop (or just the stairs will be too much) park at the Upper Trailhead Parking and hike up to the Stone Mountain Summit. It will be 0.7 miles until you reach a stone viewpoint (that is very similar to the summit) and about 1.5 miles (with some switchbacks (but no stairs!)) to the summit. Head back down to the parking, the drive over to the Lower Trailhead Parking and hike less than a mile to Hutchinson Homestead to see Stone Mountain from below. There are some really great views and waterfalls if you do the whole loop, but if you are unable to this is a great way to see it all.
There are also a ton of waterfalls at this park perfect for cooling off on the trail. We went in early May so the water was still VERY COLD, but still nice to take break and dip my feet in. If you hike the full Stone Mountain Loop you will come across Stone Mountain Falls, but can also add on the extra mile to see Middle Falls and Lower Falls. Middle Falls is not a waterfall that good for a dip because of its slick rock and steep drop-off, but there were places by Lower Falls for us to cool off. A lesser seen waterfall to cool off in (that’s not on the park map) is at Bullhead Creek. Park in the Bullhead Creek Parking lot and walk back on the trail- you end up at a gorgeous little waterfall with a pond at the front perfect for a quick dip! All the of waterfalls have quite a bit of big rocks around and at the base, so be careful with your footing as the tent to get slippery!
We did stay overnight and had a great campsite with a gorgeous view- although not much shade so I wouldn’t recommend this particular site for the heat of summer- but for early spring/fall it’s perfect! We were at the primitive camp site #33 which is right across from the Bathhouse. There are primitive tent sites, RV sites, and backing country site (along the Mountain to Sea Trail that runs through the park!).
Park Details:
ADDRESS: 3042 Frank Parkway, Roaring Gap NC 28668
HOURS: Nov-Feb: 7am-6pm, Mar-Apr & Sept-Oct 7am-8pm, May-Aug: 7am-9pm
VISITOR CENTER: Dec-Feb open Monday-Friday 8am-4pm
Mar-Nov open Daily 8am-4pm
PASSPORT STAMP: In the Park Office
ENTRANCE FEE: No Entrance Fee
TRAILS: 20 miles of hiking trails (most popular is the 4.5 mile Stone Mountain Loop Trail)
ACTIVITIES: Hiking, Horseback Riding, Fishing, and Rock Climbing
DOG RULES: Dogs are allowed on all trail, as long as they are on a leash. Dogs are not allowed in park buildings. Please pick up after your pet.
Check out our videos about this Park on instagram @axel.theadventurepup
