Guide to Stone Mountain State Park, North Carolina
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
Everything the RV Renter Needs to Know
Some parks are aptly named, and Stone Mountain State Park in North Carolina is one of them. While you can’t see it when you enter the park, after a short hike you come across the semi-famous granite dome. It has a massive amount of land at more than 13,000 acres and almost as much amazing recreational opportunities just waiting for visitors.
People have made the area their home for thousands of years, so in addition to recreation, there are also a lot of historical locations and learning opportunities available. So-called “mountain people” have made their lives work in this area, and it’s a great way to add an educational component to an action-packed RV vacation.
Are you an avid fly fisherman who’s always looking for the next big trout? Or, are you brand new to the idea of fly fishing and want to learn? In either case, Stone Mountain State Park’s more than 20 miles of designated trout waters are ideal for fly fishing. There are a number of creeks and streams that are brimming with fish.
A valid North Carolina fishing license and trout stamp are required to fish the waters. Five creeks are designated as “Wild Trout Waters,” which means you can only use artificial lures with single, barbless hooks. These creeks are Garden, Widow’s, Big Sandy, Bullhead, and Rich Mountain. Turns out, this is the ideal type of situation for fly fishing, so try your hand at it. You may catch a whopper of a brown trout.
There are more than 16 miles of hiking trails throughout the park. And, with nine trails in total, you won’t get bored doing the same hike twice. Being particularly close to the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Blue Ridge Parkway, there’s a lot of gorgeous scenery to take in on these trails.
The trails range in distance from about one-mile round trip, to 12 miles. They also range in difficulty from easy to strenuous. You’ll see things like Stone Mountain, a variety of creeks, local wildlife, and even an old distillery on some of the hikes.
There are areas designated specifically for climbing on Stone Mountain. It’s probably not a place for beginners, but if you’ve got your own gear, you’re good to go. You’ll need to register at the park office, and it’s free to get a permit to climb. The park doesn’t provide any route information, though, so you’re on your own.
As usual, there are general guidelines that the park asks you to follow when climbing. You climb at your own risk, and your climb has to be finished by the time the park closes. Stone Mountain will present a challenge, but you’ll be richly rewarded once you reach the summit.
Stone Mountain may be the big draw, but it’s certainly not the only mountain in the area. With the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Blue Ridge Parkway both near, there are lots of mountains to check out and enjoy. You can drive and enjoy your trip, or hike into the backcountry for an additional thrill.
With more than 13,000 acres, there’s a lot of ground to cover. You’ll obviously see other mountains, but you’ll also find mountain streams and—as part of them—large, cascading waterfalls. As you’re wandering, exercise caution. It’s not difficult to get lost. The designated trails will keep you on the straight and narrow and keep plenty of mountainous beauty in your sight.
People have made this area their home for a long time. Long ago, it was settled by Europeans who built log cabins, churches, schools, and were largely self-sufficient without the need of towns or cities to survive. Inside the park office, you’ll find a small exhibit dedicated to some of these settlers and their lifestyle. Artifacts like a loom for weaving, a still for making moonshine, and animal pelts are all on display.
Also in the park is the Hutchinson Homestead. You’ll find a log cabin, barn, corn crib, meat house, and other buildings, all with original furnishings. It was built sometime in the mid 19th century and restored in the late 1980s. The Garden Creek Baptist Church was built in 1897 and is also great for exploring—it even still holds services.
Camping inside Stone Mountain State Park is easy. There are 90 spots, some of which are better suited to RVs than others. There are electric and water hookups available at some sites, with a dump station nearby as well. Reservations are encouraged, but if you don’t get around to it, no worries: anything that’s open is first-come, first-served.
Connecting the Elkin Trail to the Stone Mountain Trail, Byrd’s Branch Campground is the perfect stopover location or a place to spend your entire vacation. A camp store keeps you stocked up, while you can enjoy full utility hookups at their sites. They’re on the smaller side (only 14 spots), so you’ll definitely want to call ahead and book.
We all aspire for a little Mayberry in our lives. While Mayberry Campground may not be the one from TV, it can still feel like a little slice of heaven. Located near the park, it offers RVers full hookups, plus other amenities. Expect cable TV and Wi-Fi connections, plus there’s a lake onsite for fishing or just skipping rocks. You know, Mayberry-style.
Just a stone’s throw from Stone Mountain State Park, Sandy Creek Family Campground offers sites with both full RV hookups, or primitive, depending on what’s available and what you’re feeling. There’s high speed Wi-Fi at each spot, plus a fire pit for late evening campfires. You can also play badminton or other games as well. A brand-new bathhouse means nice, clean, warm showers as well.
If you really want to do it up right, you’ll stay at Old Beau Luxury Motorcoach Resort. This is a 5-star resort, with only the finest of amenities. Starting with the gorgeous views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, there’s also a championship 18-hole golf course on site with even more breathtaking views. An onsite restaurant keeps you fed, and a proper bar can help you relax even more on your vacation.
There aren’t any proper restaurants inside Stone Mountain State Park. It’s a good idea to stock your pantry and refrigerator before you leave on your trip, because even towns and grocery stores aren’t easy to find in the area. A little meal planning will go a long way, and you’ve got a fully functioning kitchen inside your RV, just waiting for you to start cooking.
You won’t find many towns near Stone Mountain State Park—at least not big ones. The two closest are Elkin and Sparta. You’ll find a few more restaurants in Sparta, with a more diverse selection. While Elkin has many fast food options, Sparta has others, like Japanese, Mexican, Tex-Mex, a small bistro, and a pizza joint.
It’s a 30-minute drive to Sparta from the park, so take that into consideration when you’re planning to head out for dinner. That said, it’s a beautiful drive through the mountains, and Sparta is a quaint mountain town so you won’t regret your trip there.