Stone Mountain State Park - Upper Trailhead Parking - Traphill, NC
Stone Mountain State Park – Upper Trailhead Parking, located in Traphill, NC, offers a fantastic dog park experience for pet owners seeking dog-friendly hiking and outdoor adventure. This park is fully wheelchair accessible, featuring a wheelchair accessible entrance and parking lot, making it easy for all visitors to enjoy the natural beauty. The park boasts public restrooms and kid-friendly hikes, making it an excellent choice for families with children and pets looking for scenic and safe trails.
The park is renowned for its unique geological feature—a dome-shaped granite mass rising 600 feet, known as Stone Mountain, which is a National Natural Landmark. Dog owners can explore several pet-friendly trails including the Stone Mountain Loop Trail which leads to a stunning 200-foot waterfall where dogs and owners alike can cool off in a shallow pool. The hiking trails offer challenging climbs, breathtaking views of the Appalachian Mountains, and an immersive natural experience on granite outcrops. Whether you prefer a strenuous hike or a leisurely walk, Stone Mountain State Park is a perfect destination for those seeking an engaging dog park in North Carolina that combines adventure, natural beauty, and accessible amenities.
With always ample parking and clean restrooms at the upper trailhead, plus a variety of trail options including scenic loops and waterfall visits, this dog park delivers a memorable outdoor experience. The park’s pet-friendly trails and diverse terrain makes it an ideal spot for dog owners wanting to enjoy quality time with their pets in nature, all while discovering a historic and geologically fascinating area. Stone Mountain State Park offers a must-visit destination for families, hikers, and pet lovers in the region.
FAQ for Stone Mountain State Park – Upper Trailhead Parking in Traphill North Carolina:
- Are dogs allowed off-leash at this park? Dogs are allowed at Stone Mountain State Park, but the information does not specify if off-leash is permitted.
- Are restrooms available for owners? Yes, there are public restrooms available at Stone Mountain State Park – Upper Trailhead Parking.
- Is the park wheelchair accessible? Yes, Stone Mountain State Park – Upper Trailhead Parking has a wheelchair accessible entrance and parking lot.
- Is there a playground or activities for kids nearby? Yes, the park is good for kids and has kid-friendly hikes.
- Where is the best place to park? The Upper Trailhead Parking lot is considered the best place to park, as noted in reviews for ease of access to hikes and restrooms.
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, there are hiking trails including the Mountain Trail Loop, Stone Mountain Loop Trail, and summit trails with various levels of difficulty and scenic views.
Reviews
This is the best place to park… the “easier “side up to the summit OR a quick walk to the top of the falls. IMO best way to do the 4 mile loop. Always enough parking. Restrooms are clean. I’ve gone at it alone and with groups. When you reach the summit… some people never remember there are multiple sides to a mountain. Make sure to take the smaller tails to the is busy side so you get the full views.
Our family, including our 4-year-old, hiked up Mountain Rock and were amazed by the breathtaking views. We followed the Mountain Trail Loop, going clockwise, and along the way we saw three waterfalls, historic buildings, and finally reached the mountain itself. The climb was a lot of fun — the kids counted 300 steps and held onto the metal railing to make it easier to walk on the smooth rock. I highly recommend doing this as a family. Bring water and sandwiches so you can take a break and enjoy the stunning views from the top.
Although this is family friendly with stairs and guy wires it is very challenging on the way up and on the way down going counter clockwise, going in this direction you hit the stone plateau peak fairly soon with great views but as you continue be prepared, it sit over. The return offers historic wooden buildings, majestic views of the massive Stone Mountain looking up and a cascading waterfall wherein you can revive and refresh yourself in its liquid skirts. You will earn every step climbing what feels like endless flights os stairs but I think the 4.5 miles are a must see and memorable experience.
I always park at the upper trailhead parking and then do the loop clockwise (for some reason I really like the brutal hike up Stone Mountain from the far side). If you do the loop counterclockwise you start with half the elevation gain at the beginning and then the other half going up the stairs by the falls at the end.
Stone Mountain is exactly what it sounds like – a mountain made of stone. It’s a dome-shaped granite mass that rises 600 feet above its base. The area around the dome is rugged, wooded terrain, but if you hike to the summit, you’ll see large expanses of exposed granite, specifically granodiorite*. Because of its unique geology, it was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1974.
Bob and I, along with our pups, Milo and Sophie, took the Stone Mountain Loop Trail to see the Stone Mountain Waterfall. This trail, leading to the base of the waterfall, is a bit challenging, involving descending over 300 steps. But the sight of the 200-foot waterfall, a solid stone slide that breaks up into two tiers, makes the challenging hike worthwhile. At the base of the waterfall lies a shallow pool where many people enjoy a refreshing dip before ascending the steps.
From the waterfall, we took the summit trail, a great hike with several outcrops of exposed granite with great views of the Appalachian Mountains. The final climb to the summit was steep but had lots of switchbacks, making it a bit easier to climb. It ended in a large expanse of exposed granite with stunning views of the mountainous landscape. As I walked out onto the rock, I kept thinking I would get to a drop, but the smooth gray rock face seemed to keep going. Many hikers sat far out on the rocks enjoying the solitude and the scenery.
Understanding the geology of this place makes it even more awe-inspiring, so I included a very brief geography lesson below:
Granodiorite is a type of rock that contains both granite and diorite. It formed deep underground as a hot, molten igneous rock called magma. As the igneous rock cooled and the earth above the rock mass (called a pluton) eroded over millions of years, it was eventually exposed as a rock dome.
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