Stone Mountain Park on our way to Disney

[anditoo72]

We are visiting Stone Mountain Park on our way to Disney. We have never been there and we are very excited to go. What can you tell us about it?

We will camping there. How are the sites, ect...

How do the tickets work for the Christmas event, do we have to buy both a regular ticket for the other days we are there and a Christmas event ticket for that particular day? Are we better off buying a membership?

 

[ynottony99]

Not sure about the Christmas event. But we loved the park when we went about 3 years ago. Beautiful, it sits across the lake from the Mt. you can see and hear the train go around, really neat at night. Depending on which site you have, you may be perched up in the air a bit, since the campground runs from the lake back up the hill. Very steep roads. We arrived late after dark. Pretty tense getting up hill and then backing into the site. We have heard stories that some have lost control of their pop ups or trailers after they unhitched. Now I don't know for sure, but I did make extra sure that wheels were chocked very well!!!!!

We were between 2 friends. One was above us, meaning when I stood on my site, their trailer was higher than the roof or ours. It was the same for the friends below us.

We had never been there before, and really enjoyed the Mt. and the park and campground.
It really was beautiful, and is a trip we have never forgotten.

 

[jima53]

I've wondered about those steep sites myself. Although we would like to include the park in some short vacations I've stayed away because of the sites. Maybe I will give it a try.

Only one more month till fort wilderness.


Jim

 

[anditoo72]

Oooh, that is good to know!! I believe we will be arriving during the day, so at least we will be able to see how steep the hills are (is that a good thing???) Thanks for the tidbit.I saw it featured on RVtoday and it sounded so nice. I can't wait, it sounds so beautiful.

 

[ynottony99]

For sure do not let the hills scare you off. Just use due caution.

 

[rzcamper]

I was just there in July. The loop on F trail is very flat and close to everything, including the shuttle boat to the mountain. I stayed in site 150 with a 31 foot c class. You can by all tickets for the attractions at the campground ranger station, located at the entrance.

 

[Minnie's Mate]

Even though we live in Metro Atlanta, it has been a number of years since we have been to Stone Mountain and we have never camped there but have heard mostly good and a little bad. Mostly good about the camp ground.

This is a State Park that has been leased to Silver Dollar City, operators of Dollywood. The State and Silver Dollar City have been at odds since they started management because their 99 year lease prohibits them from turning it into a theme park and they have been trying to do so ever since the lease began. My wife is a teacher and has taken school groups there on field trips and says the village is very nice and clean as is everything else. The 4-D (?) theatre is supposed to be really good. Before the State leased it out, we used to go to the laser show every year (I highly recommend!) and rode the Christmas train and Halloween train hay rides. The plantation museum is/was also very nicely presented.

You can take the sky tram to the top of the mountain (not for those afraid of heights) or hike to the top. There are tennis courts, but I have been told they are in decline. This was the tennis venue of the 1996 Summer Olympics. There is an outstanding golf course as well.

Be sure to bring your leveling blocks. There are no paved sites to my knowledge and the extensive use of the sites leave ruts in the sites so leveling without them can be a challenge. The little bad I have heard was the steepness of the sites and the uneveness of the sites.

There is a lot to do there and certainly enough to fill a week end or more.

 

[ynottony99]

Just came across these photos from our trip. They give some idea of how some of the camp sites are laid out.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I've never camped in Stone Mountain but I did have an annual pass and will probably get one again when I want to do multiple events there. First off it is not a theme park although as stated previously they would love to make it one. I think this is a good thing because it forces the park management to be very creative in the offerings they have in the little village and also forces them to think of events to host instead. It's mostly a presentation of crafts and various shops. At Christmas there are cute live shows and along with the regular acts on the weekends.

I dont know if there is a special ticket for the Christmas and Halloween shows because I've had the annual pass any times I've attended. However I don't believe there is a special price for Christmas except possibly lower if you want evening only. One tip to keep in mind is that you can enter the village without a ticket. You will be able to see the demonstrations, live shows & street performers that aren't in the big tent plus the snow queen grand finale for free. The DUK rides are a separate charge.

What I would do is run the numbers. The family membership may be cheaper if you plan on doing everything a second day (tram, train, 4-D, plantation, the treehouse and big barn...and maybe miniature golf). The tennis facility is no longer operational...a separate stadium was built outside of the park and is now run as a teaching center. You can get lessons and play for a fee, however they might be closed at the holidays. You might ask if there is a tennis court over at the Marriott you can use. There is golf and miniature golf (there may be miniature golf over at the campground as well but I don't recall it).

From a state park point of view there are a variety of trails you might want to do. For the best view there is a walk up trail to the top. The trick is to saunter up...you'll be much happier. Don't be fooled by the people who walk up it for exercise. Or you can ride the tram.

If you go out the West gate you will go into the Village of Stone Mountain (as opposed to the Crossroads in the park). There are a couple of places there that bicycles and there is one that will rent scooters to licensed drivers. I thought the bike places were pricey but if you dont plan on keeping it long it might be fine. The scooter place I haven't had a chance to price. If you like German food there is a German bakery and tavern plus a handful of other restaurants you might enjoy. Some have live music at times.

As far as food shopping and what not the easiest thing to do is continue on 78 eastbound until it ceases to be a parkway. The last exit is East Park Place. If you turn right there is a Super Target...and the Tennis Facility. If you turn left and at the second light turn left you'll find a Walmart Supercenter.

Should be obvious I live close enough to spend time there but I can't help with regard to the campground itself.

 

[anditoo72]

Thanks for the pics and information, We are leaving on Friday and soooo excited!!!!!