It's a mountain. It's a park. It's a town. The enormous granite dome known as Stone Mountain sits inside Stone Mountain Park, a major playground for tourists and metro Atlanta residents, who flock there on weekends or whenever the weather's nice. Just outside the park is the tiny city named after the mountain. No overnight accommodations are available within the city limits, but plenty of chain properties are nearby in a suburban area generally referred to as Stone Mountain. The best places to stay, however, are inside the park itself, and travelers have a few options.

Stone Mountain Inn

Now managed by Marriott, Stone Mountain Inn is within easy walking distance to some of the park's most popular attractions. Memorial Lawn, where a regular laser light show and other special events take place, is across the street from the inn. Also close by are the Summit Skyride to carry you up the mountain, the depot for the Stone Mountain Railroad, an amusement park, a lake and access to many trails. The inn looks like a 19th-century Southern plantation, right down to rocking chairs on the veranda, but it contains all the amenities and conveniences one would expect of a modern hotel property.

The Conference Resort

Farther away from major attractions in the park, the Atlanta Evergreen Marriott Conference Resort sits on the shore of the lake and is surrounded by trees. This property is more suited for large groups and conferences than the Stone Mountain Inn. It also includes a spa. Even though it's not within walking distance to the attractions, there's no need to get back in your car after you arrive, because a frequent and free shuttle service operates between the hotel and the rest of the park. Be sure to ask when the last shuttle back to the hotel departs if you'll be exploring the park or attending events in the evening.

The Campground

Like the conference resort, Stone Mountain Park Campground is on the lake, away from the main attractions and served by the free shuttle service. This large campground welcomes RVers and tent campers. It has full hookups, tent-only sites with water and electric hookups and primitive campsites. Swimming isn't allowed in the lake at the campground, but guests can use a swimming pool on site. Other recreational activities include horseshoes, volleyball and a playground for the kids. Laundry facilities and a general store are also available for campers.

Outside the Park

As peaceful and bucolic as Stone Mountain is, it's still surrounded by a major metropolitan area. As such, not all areas around it will appeal to tourists. If you're looking for a nearby hotel, your best bet is along Stone Mountain Highway east of the park where it intersects with East Park Place Boulevard. This heavily developed area contains many strip malls, fast-food restaurants and major chain hotels, all within view of the mountain. Avoid the motels along Memorial Drive to the west of the mountain because they tend to be seedy, extended-stay properties.

About the Author


Photo Credits

  • Rick Diamond/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images