Nature and History Programs           June 30 - August 1, 2008  

Join us for talks about native plants, hikes on the rock outcrop, history lessons and crafts every Friday.   For individuals and family groups only.

july free programs

There are 4 trails at Stone Mountain Park and 5 connector trails in various locations.

Cherokee Trail Description                                                                                                        Walk up Trail Description                                                                                                       Nature Garden Description                                                                                                Songbird Habitat Trails Description                                                                     Connecting Trails Description

You can pick up a trail map at Confederate Hall Historical and Environmental Education Center located near the West Gate or open an updated map to the right, print a copy and bring it with you as you hike Stone Mountain Park! Maps are not to scale.

Visitors are prohibited from hiking in restricted areas of Stone Mountain Park.     Visitors are prohibited from removing, injuring, or defacing, any flower, plant, tree, shrub, rock or wildlife.                                                                                                                      Bicycles and powered vehicles are prohibited on park trails.

At Stone Mountain Park dogs are welcome on hiking trails, excluding the walk up trail to the top and the Songbird Habitat Trails. They must be on a 6 foot leash and accompanied by an owner! You can enjoy your dog off leash at the Stone Mountain Village dog park located between 3rd and 4th Streets. 

In an effort to reduce stream bank erosion and bacterial contamination, please keep your dog out of the creeks in the Park.

Cherokee Trail

Length: 5 mile loop (white blazes)                                                                                                 Terrain: Dirt tread, moderate, some sections very steep                                                            (not for those with limiting physical or medical conditions)                                                   Trail Head: Anywhere there is a parking lot                                                                           Features: Loops around the base of the mountain, with a mile section going up and over the west side of the mountain (crosses the Walk Up Trail).  Listed as a National Recreation Trail. Primarily passes through a mature oak-hickory forest, but views of the lakes, streams and mountain are common. Frequent mammal and bird sightings are possible year-round.                                                                                                                                  Dogs allowed.

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Walk Up Trail

Length: 1 mile one way straight up the mountain (no blazes, well worn path)          Terrain: Rock trail, moderate to steep (not for those with limiting physical or medical conditions)                                                                                                                                                    Trail Head: Confederate Hall parking lot                                                                                  Features:  Elevation change of 786 feet from top to bottom allows sightings of rock outcrop plants throughout the year, exploration of granite features, views of metro Atlanta and plenty of rock seating. Trail tread is very slippery when wet.                       Dogs not allowed.

If you walk up the trail and ride the Skyride down, be aware that you are 1.1 miles right of the Confederate Hall Parking Lot.

If you ride the Skyride up and walk down the trail, be aware that you are 1.1 miles left of the Skyride Parking Lot.

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Nature Garden Trail

Length: ¾ mile loop (green blazes)                                                                                              Terrain: Dirt tread, easy, family- friendly                                                                                        Trail Head: parking lot off Robert E. Lee Blvd.                                                                      Features: A scenic loop through a mature oak-hickory forest community. Excellent for viewing shade-loving native plants. Small garden area at entrance with interpretive signs identifying native plants.                                                                                                             Dogs allowed.

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Songbird Habitat Trails

Length: 1 mile loop in meadow, 1 mile loop in forest (red arrows)                                     Terrain: dirt tread, easy, family friendly, meadow and forest habitat                                   Trail Head: Parking lot off Stonewall Jackson Dr.                                                                  Features: Excellent birding spot. Meadow habitat planted to provide food for songbirds. Additional 1 mile trail through forest provides chance to see numerous native plants.  Dogs not allowed.

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Connecting Trails

There are 5 areas where trails connect you with the road or other trails. These trails are marked by orange arrows on granite posts and orange blazes on trees.                              1. Connects the Cherokee Trail to the road that leads up the mountain. This allows visitors to exit the Cherokee Trail and visit Confederate Hall.                                                     2. Connects to the Nature Garden trail from Robert E. Lee Boulevard near the PATH trail or the train trestle on the southwest side of the mountain.                                                           3. Connects the Nature Garden Trail and the Cherokee Trail as this trail comes off the mountain.                                                                                                                                                            4. Follows the northside (or mountain side) of Veneble Lake.                                                     5. Connects the Cherokee Trail near the Train Depot to the bathrooms and parking in that area.

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How to read the blazes:

Cherokee Trail: white blazes                                                                                           Connecting Trails: orange blazes                                                                                          

Single rectangular blaze: stay straight on the current trail                           

Double Blaze, same colors, top offset to left: turn left to stay on current trail                       Double Blaze, same colors, top offset to right: turn right to stay on current trail    

Double Blaze, different colors, top offset to left: turn left to hike on new trail            Double Blaze, different colors, top offset to right: turn right to hike on new trail

Triple Blaze, same colors, top offset to left and right: turn either right or left               Triple Blaze, different colors, top offset to left and right: turn right or left to stay on trail of your choice

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nature garden trail map

songbird habitat trail map                                 

pdf format                              maps not to scale

plants and animals

plants nature journal

hiking trails

hiking and walking safety