Sunrise On The Rock

Visited by travelers from all over the world, Stone Mountain is one of THE best spots for sunrise viewing in the city of Atlanta. It is a known fact that there are still a few AOC members who have never climbed Atlanta's biggest landmark. This is your chance to conquer the Mountain and get a prime viewing seat for the Sunday morning sunrise. 

SUNRISE IS AT: 7.31AM

We will be begin the hike at the confederate parking lot (near the restrooms) for an Easy to Moderate Hike to the top via an alternative route through the woods. We will spend some time at the top taking in the view and watching the sunset. There will be a  chance for some photos before we begin our descent via the main trail. This hike is suitable for beginners and those who wish to enjoy the great  views from the top of Stone Mountain.

As it will be dark during the beginning of the hike, I recommend everyone bring a small headlamp or flashlight for the ascent.

The hike will be approximately 2.5 miles and will involve some steep sections so please bring appropriate footwear.

There is an $15 parking fee to enter the park; however, free public parking is available in Stone Mountain Village.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to email Aaron.

GPS Coordinates: 33.81076800026398, -84.16212379932403

Vehicle access to Stone Mountain Park is $15 per day unless you have an annual pass. There is a discount if you purchase more than one Annual Pass at a time.

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.  Look for the large Confederate Hall parking lot on your left where we park during the hike.  We'll gather at our "usual AOC meetup spot," by the stone restroom building at the base of 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 almost to the Confederate Hall parking lot on your left.

OPTIONAL FREE PARK ENTRANCE FOR PEDESTRIANS & BICYCLISTS:

There's no charge for pedestrians or bicyclists to enter Stone Mountain Park.  There is usually plenty of free parking just outside the Park in the Stone Mountain Village area.  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 about 1/2 mile up East Mountain Street and directly into the park, through a small gate (Note that this gate is locked soon after sunset and you have to walk out around the nearby West Gate and then left to get back to East Mountain Street.)

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 and look for the red caboose on your left.  In about 10 minutes you can walk into the Park via the paved PATH trail, turn left on Robt. E. Lee Blvd (for ~300 yards) and join the AOC group at the Walk-Up trailhead. (Note the gate on this PATH trail is often locked soon after sunset).

Additional directions and maps can be found at: 

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