Stone Mountain State Park: A Visitors Guide
In rural northwestern North Carolina, there is a park that is often overlooked or simply unknown. Stone Mountain State Park, which is more than 14,000 acres in size, straddles Alleghany and Wilkes Counties. It was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1974. The park is dominated by a massive granite wall that is as impressive as it is large.
Visiting Stone Mountain State Park
Stone Mountain State Park features a variety of outdoor recreation. From incredible hiking trails, rock climbing opportunities, great fishing, and a wonderful campground, Stone Mountain offers something for the whole family.
Camping in Stone Mountain State Park
For those looking to stay a couple of nights, the park has a 90-site campground. The sites are reserved and open year-round. Each site has typical amenities such as a tent pad, picnic table, and fire ring/grill. Drinking water and restrooms with hot showers are located nearby. The park also has four backpacking sites located along Widow’s Creek. Depending on which of the four sites, it is a mile-and-a-half to 3-mile-long hike into the sites. A self-register permit is required for backpackers.
Hiking the Stone Mountain Loop Trail
One of the main reasons people visit Stone Mountain State Park is its great network of trails. The park has more than 18 miles of trails. The Mountains-to-Sea Trail runs 1175 miles from the Great Smoky Mountains to Jockey’s Ridge State Park in the Outer Banks and runs directly through the park for 6 miles.
Our favorite trail in the park is the 4.5-mile Stone Mountain Loop Trail. Expect about a 1000-foot elevation gain, so this hike is challenging but definitely worth it. The trail can be accessed from the Upper or Lower Parking Areas and will satisfy. The loop takes you by the 200-foot Stone Mountain Falls. Be careful near the falls; there is a big sign warning that people have died in the falls. Just past the waterfall along the aptly named “view side” of the trail, you can expect stunning views of Stone Mountain on your way to the historic Hutchinson Homestead.
Hutchinson Homestead
The restored mountain farm was home to 4 generations of the Hutchinson family. Today, it gives visitors a good look at what life was like for farmers in the mid-19th century. There is a log cabin, barn, blacksmith shop, corncrib, meat house, and more to visit. The loop gives hikers a chance to work those quads as it climbs up and across the summit of Stone Mountain. Don’t forget to take the half-mile (one-way) spur Middle and Lower Falls trails along the way. It’s worth the extra mile.
Other trails in Stone Mountain State Park
Black Jack Ridge Trail is a 3-mile round trip that follows an old road through thick forest. In the winter, when the leaves are off the trees, this hike gives great views of Stone Mountain.
The Bridle Loop is an equestrian-friendly two-mile loop that passes by an old liquor still that was destroyed during prohibition.
Cedar Rock Trail is a 2-mile round-trip hike with great views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Widow’s Creek Trail is a 5-mile round-trip trail that leads to the park’s backcountry camping sites. To check out Widow’s Creek Falls, park just beyond the Widow’s Creek bridge and walk a short bit upstream.
Wolf Rock Trail is a 3-mile round trip hike through a mixed evergreen and hard forest. Along the way, expect great views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Other things to do in Stone Mountain State Park
Many visit Stone Mountain to cast a line in its more than 20 miles of streams. Rainbow and brown trout are most prevalent in the lower elevations, while brook trout inhabit the higher elevations with cooler stretches of water. A valid North Carolina fishing license and trout license are required.
Rock Climbing at Stone Mountain
Rock Climbing is very popular in the park. The more than 600-foot granite face of Stone Mountain attracts climbers from around the world. Climbing is only permitted in designated areas of the cliff, and a free permit is required.
Bird Watching
Birding and wildlife viewing are also great reasons to visit the park. The chestnut oak-dominated forests are home to foxes, white-tailed deer, bobcats and other wildlife. Don’t forget to bring your binoculars because the woods are also bursting with birds. You may see scarlet tanager, whippoorwill, ruffed grouse, wild turkey and pileated woodpeckers.
