Stone Mountain State Park

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Stone Mountain State Park is a Template:Convert<ref name=ParkSize /> North Carolina state park in Alleghany County and Wilkes County, North Carolina.

Stone Mountain

Panoramic Picture from the Top of Stone Mountain, NC

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View from top of Stone Mountain Falls, NC

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View from top of Stone Mountain Falls, NC

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Stairs leading to and from the top and bottom of the falls

The centerpiece of the park is Stone Mountain, a dome of exposed granite (specifically a quartz diorite to granodiorite) of Devonian age, which has intruded into the gneiss of the Precambrian Alligator Back Formation.<ref>North Carolina Geological Survey, 1985, Geologic map of North Carolina: North Carolina Department of Natural Resources and Community Development, scale 1:500000.</ref> It rises sharply over 600 feet (183 m) above the surrounding terrain. The mountain, which has an elevation of 2,305 feet (706 m) above sea level, is known for its barren sides and distinctive brown-gray color, and can be seen for miles. The mountain offers some of the best rock climbing in North Carolina, and the park's creeks and streams feature excellent brook trout fishing.

Because the mountain is the best example of a monadnock in massive granite in North Carolina it was designated a National Natural Landmark in May 1974.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Museums and historic site

The park visitor center features the Mountain Culture Exhibit including mountain settler life and artifacts, and natural history including trout, butterflies and moths.

The mid-19th century Hutchinson Homestead includes a log cabin, barn, blacksmith shop, corncrib, meat house, and original furnishings. The Homestead is open Thursday through Sunday from March – October. The grounds can be visited year round.

The 1897 Garden Creek Baptist Church continues to hold services seasonally. Visitors can walk the grounds when the church is closed.

Things to do

Within the park there are numerous outdoor activities to partake in. For example, rock climbing, hiking (over 20 miles of trails available),<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and camping sites. There are woodland lakes, waterfalls, and lush forests.