Stone Mountain Park
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 Georgia — The world’s largest exposed granite monadnock — 1,686 feet at the summit! Features the largest bas-relief sculpture in the world: Confederate leaders carved 400 feet wide and 158 feet tall. The mountain is 300 million years old and the park covers 3,200 acres with a scenic railroad and skylift.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Location | Georgia |
About Stone Mountain
Stone Mountain Park surrounds the world’s largest exposed granite monolith — a 5-mile circumference dome rising 825 feet above the surrounding Piedmont. The mountain’s Confederate Memorial Carving — depicting Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, and Stonewall Jackson on horseback — is the largest bas-relief sculpture on Earth, covering 3 acres. The quartz monzonite dome (not technically granite) is 300 million years old. The park, now a major family destination, hosts 4+ million visitors annually.
Things to Do
Hiking to the summit (1-mile trail), viewing the world’s largest bas-relief carving, riding the Skyride cable car, attending the laser show, camping, fishing, golf, and exploring the 3,200-acre park that draws 4+ million visitors annually.
Getting There
Located on Robert E. Lee Boulevard in Stone Mountain, DeKalb County — just 20 minutes east of Atlanta via US 78. The park welcomes 4+ million visitors annually. The summit hike (1 mile, moderate) rewards with panoramic views of Atlanta and the Piedmont. The nightly laser show (summer) is a beloved Georgia tradition. Parking fee applies; activity passes available.
Insider Tips
Largest bas-relief: Stone Mountain features the largest bas-relief sculpture in the world — depicting Confederate leaders Lee, Davis, and Jackson carved into a granite monadnock. Pro tip: The carving was begun in 1916 (same year the KKK was revived at Stone Mountain) and not completed until 1972. Geology: The granite monadnock itself is 1,683 feet at summit — exposed quartz monzonite that’s 300+ million years old.
Best Time to Visit
Spring/fall: Comfortable hiking weather. Summer: Laser shows and attractions. Year-round: Park open. Winter: Holiday events.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Stone Mountain controversial?
Stone Mountain’s Confederate carving and its association with the KKK’s 1915 revival make it one of the most contested monuments in America. The carving was initiated during the Jim Crow era as a symbol of white supremacy — the KKK held cross-burning ceremonies on the mountain for decades. Today the park attracts millions, but debates continue about whether the carving should be altered, contextualized, or removed.
