Beautiful Morning Hike on the Cherokee Trail - Stone Mountain

Please join me for a beautiful morning hike on the Cherokee Trail which goes around the base of Stone Mountain.  We will not be going up the mountain.

We will make several stops to enjoy the beautiful trail, lake, nature garden and interesting views of the mountain. We will also hike King Island which is near the covered bridge.   The trail is compact soil, exposed rock and woods.

 We will start the hike PROMPTLY at 9:30 am. The parking in the park can get crowded so please allow time to find a parking space and/or walk from one of the FREE parking lots (See Directions for details).   

The fee to enter the park is $20 unless you have an annual pass. Also see directions below for optional FREE parking locations.

We will meet in front of the bathrooms across from the Historical & Environmental Education Center (formerly known as Confederate Hall) at the bottom of the walk-up trail. 

GPS  Coordinates: 33.81076800026398, -84.16212379932403

Parking in the Stone Mountain Lot:  $20 per day.  Annual pass is $40.  

Directions: To the main entrance- From I-285 take U.S. Hwy 78 East (Snellville/Athens) exit. Travel about 7 miles and take Exit 8, the Stone Mountain Park Main Entrance. After entering the main entrance, proceed straight ahead. The road will fork at about 1 mile – stay to the right. Continue to follow the road for another mile. Confederate Hall will be on your left. The parking lot will be immediately after. We’ll meet behind Confederate Hall near the walk up trail.

You can also enter through the West Gate entrance, in Stone Mountain Village. If you enter here, turn right through the gate and you're just about in the Confederate Hall parking lot.

OPTIONAL FREE PARK ENTRANCE FOR PEDESTRIANS & BICYCLISTS:

There's no charge for pedestrians or bicyclists to enter Stone Mountain Park or to enjoy the numerous free attractions inside the Park including the nice trails.  If you don't have an annual Park Pass and wish to save the daily $20 parking fee, there are usually plenty of free parking spots just outside the Park in Stone Mountain Village.   The Village is near the Park's "West Gate" entrance which is quite close to Confederate Hall and the Walk-Up trailhead.  You can park near the railroad tracks and walk up East Mountain Street and directly into the park.

Another such free parking lot is the "Red Caboose Visitor Center" lot on the Main Street, which has its own paved walking/biking trail into the Park, much like the Silver Comet Trail. To drive to that lot, get off US-78 (Stone Mtn Freeway) at Exit #5, then bear right to exit again about a half mile ahead, turn left onto E. Ponce de Leon Ave, go through the first traffic light onto Main Street and continue about a half mile to the "caboose lot" on your left.  In about 10 minutes you can walk or ride your bike eastward into the Park via the paved PATH trail, turn left on Robt. E. Lee Blvd (for ~300 yard) and join the AOC group at the Walk-Up trailhead.

Additional directions and maps can be found at: 

http://www.stonemountainpark.com/activities/map/overview.aspx

Be Aware:  Put all your personal belongings out of sight in your vehicle.  Lock your vehicle.

Stone Mountain Website is www.stonemountainpark.com. 770-498- 5690.