Stone Mountain Loop Trail to the Summit
Park Overview
The most popular hiking trail at Stone Mountain State Park is the Stone Mountain Loop Trail, a 4.5-mile loop that ascends to the summit, where visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Roaring Gap, North Carolina. With 14,000 acres to explore, this park includes over 30 miles of hiking trails, leading to scenic spots such as the historic Hutchinson Homestead and Middle and Lower Stone Mountain Falls. Hikers can trek to the waterfalls or summit without taking on the entire trail loop.
The different seasons on Stone Mountain Loop Trail of summit side
Our Adventure - From Upper Trailhead
From the upper trailhead parking area adjacent to the campground, we follow the orange-blazed Stone Mountain Loop Trail for 1.4 miles. We traverse granite rock terrain toward the mountain top. Stone Mountain is a 600-foot granite dome, part of a 25-square-mile pluton, an igneous rock formed beneath the earth’s surface by molten lava.
The view of the dome from Stone Mountain Loop Trail
The steep, rocky path winds along the mountain through oak and pine hardwoods with open views of the vast landscape. Along the summit side, multiple lookout points showcase bright blue skies over the Blue Ridge Mountains and spring blooming on the smooth surface edges. Small troughs in the granite are continually formed from mountain water runoff. From one lookout, you can spot park goers perched for picnics and climbers hanging onto the cliff’s edge.
View from Stone Mountain summit, looking towards Blue Ridge Mountains
The bark of pine and oak trees are charred from prescribed burns and blanketed in fungi. The stony path winds on toward the top where green shrubs pop out of grey granite and Blue Ridge Mountains roll on for miles. Forests of evergreen below and white fluffy clouds above provide a peaceful moment to sit on the hard earth and enjoy the spectacular views from 2,305 feet high.
Climbing Steps on Stone Mountain Loop Trail
Our Adventure - From LOwer Trailhead
From the lower trailhead parking area, we hike the orange-blazed, 4.5-mile Stone Mountain Loop Trail. An arduous and steep climb up multiple wooden staircases takes us to the summit. The view is well worth the taxing journey, with green and blue mountains for miles along the horizon. The 300-million-year-old granite top offers a nice pause for a picnic lunch before climbing down the summit side through oak and pine hardwoods.
The view of the Blue Ridge Mountains from Stone Mountain Loop Trail
On the descent of the loop, you can catch a glimpse of the 200-foot Stone Mountain Falls and trek the downhill segment along Big Sandy Creek, where you’ll pass the Hutchinson Homestead through a dreamy forest and circle back to the lower trailhead parking lot.
From the Stone Mountain Loop Trail, you can also connect to an 11.32-mile segment of the white-blazed Mountains-to-Sea State Trail (MST).
STONE MOUNTAIN STATE PARK Trail System
Stone Mountain Loop Trail – 4.5 miles (access via upper or lower trailhead parking lots)
Middle Falls/Lower Falls Trail – 1 mile
Wolf Rock Trail – 1.5 miles
Black Jack Ridge Trail – 1.5 miles
Cedar Rock Trail – 1 mile
Mountains-to-Sea State Trail (MST) – 11.32 miles
Widow’s Creek Trail – 2.5 miles
Bridle Loop Trail – 2 miles
Bridle Out-and-Back Trail – 8 miles
Things to Do
Hiking – 30.32 miles of trails
Equestrian Trails – 10 miles (Bridle Trails)
Stone Mountain Waterfalls
Climbing – permitted in designated areas on the cliffs of Stone Mountain
Fishing – bass & trout
Mountain Culture Exhibit & Art Museum inside the Visitor Center
Hutchinson Homestead historic site – open May to October, weekends only
Camping – 90 RV & tent sites (Loop B has electric & water hookups); group camping; backpack camping
Picnicking – 75 sites/shelters
Nearby – Stone Mountain Country Store and McRitchie Winery & Ciderworks
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