Meet with a ranger at the Hutchinson Homestead to discuss some of the principles of urban tree selection so that you can select a species by matching its desired characteristics to the conditions of the planting site. Date of Event: Sunday, February 13, 2022 - 2:00pm Start Location: Homestead
Have you ever been to Stone Mountain and wished you had a photo with your Valentine or family? No one around to help you get all the gang in the same photo? Join a Ranger at the base of Stone Mountain and bring YOUR camera or phone to make this happen. Just a quick .5 mile hike up to the base of the mountain. This program will be weather dependent.
Children's Scavenger Hunt Join the ranger at the visitor center for a scavenger hunt to try to find some of plants, animal tracks, and insects that you may come across while hiking in the park.
Join a ranger at the upper trailhead parking area for a 1.2 mile moderate out and back hike to the top of Stone Mountain Falls to take a look at the park's largest waterfall and some of the changes since the prescribed burn in 2021. Weather Permitting! Date of Event: Sun, 03/27/2022 - 3:00pm Start Location: Upper Trailhead Parking Area
Start Location: Visitor Center - Join a ranger at the visitor center to learn about the some of the methods used to plant trees to ensure higher success rates and proper tree growth.
Start Location: Upper Trailhead Parking Area - Join a ranger at the upper parking lot for a half mile hike and learn a little about Stone Mountain’s geology. Bring what you need for a steep, slightly off-trail hike. Weather permitting.
Start Location: Visitor Center - Join a ranger at the visitor center to learn more about the designated trout waters and regulations for delayed harvest and wild trout streams located within the park.
Start Location: Hutchinson Homestead - Join a ranger at the Hutchinson Homestead to learn about some of the principles of urban tree water management to learn more about the water use characteristics of trees in the urban landscape to successfully manage trees.
Start Location: Garden Creek Church - Join a ranger at Garden Creek Church for a one mile hike to an abandoned still site. Hear some ‘shiner lore and learn a little about the distilling process. Bring water, snacks, good shoes, walking sticks, and whatever else you need for a comfortable, easy hike. Weather permitting.
Start Location: Visitor Center - Join a Ranger at the visitor center for a program that will teach you how to tie your own fly fishing leader at a fraction of a cost of buying a tapered leader. The program will last approximately 45 minutes.
oin us for a Volunteer Hike! 1. Play in the park you love 2. Get to know other Friends members 3. Ongoing projects - Clear trash and debris, report trail conditions 4. Special projects - Park signage research, location tags Trail: MST North and Widow's Creek Difficulty: Strenuous Distance: 7 miles Elevation Change: 1000+ vertical feet - Bring water, snacks, and regular day hiking gear - Meet at the backpacker registration parking lot @ 12.45p-1p - Link to trail descriptions: https://www.ncparks.gov/stone-mountain-state-park/trails
August 9th @ 9:30am What a Park Ranger Does: Join a ranger at the visitor center to learn about the different tasks that a park ranger does while performing their duties to keep the park safe and accessible to park visitors.
August 9th @ 3:00pm The History of Smokey Bear: Join a ranger in the picnic area to learn about the history of Smokey Bear and the importance of prescribed burns in the park.
August 13th @ 3:00pm Crankbaits: Join a ranger at the visitor center to highlight some of the crankbaits that are effective on both trout and smallmouth bass species. The program will cover various crankbaits that work well in this area.
https://friendsofstonemountainnc.com/crankbaits/
0
Box Turtles
8/17/2022-13:0
8/17/2022-14:0
Location: Visitor Center
August 17th @ 1:00pm Box Turtles: Join a ranger at the park’s visitor center for a “shellebration” of North Carolina’s state reptile. Learn how and why rangers locate, measure, and tag these critters.
https://friendsofstonemountainnc.com/box-turtles/
0
Board Meeting - every month the THIRD Thursday at 7pm - location TBD
August 18th @ 1:00pm Mammals: Join a ranger at the visitor center to learn about some of the animals that call Stone Mountain "home".
https://friendsofstonemountainnc.com/mammals/
0
Stream Safari
8/20/2022-15:0
8/20/2022-16:0
Location: Site 56 in B-loop of the family campground
August 20th @ 3:00pm Stream Safari: Meet a ranger at site 56 in B-loop of the family campground to learn about some of the bugs in the water and water quality. If you can not walk from your campsite or are not camping, please park at the B loop wash house. Bring water shoes and clothing you can get wet. This program is scheduled as weather permitting.
Location: Site 56 in B-loop of the family campground
August 20th @ 3:00pm Stream Safari: Meet a ranger at site 56 in B-loop of the family campground to learn about some of the bugs in the water and water quality. If you can not walk from your campsite or are not camping, please park at the B loop wash house. Bring water shoes and clothing you can get wet. This program is scheduled as weather permitting.
August 27th @ 10:00am Tree ID: Join a ranger for a tree identification program at the picnic area to learn about some of the common tree species in the park and how to identify each species.
https://friendsofstonemountainnc.com/tree-id/
0
Spinning Lures for Trout
8/27/2022-15:0
8/27/2022-16:0
Location: Visitor Center
August 27th @ 3:00pm Spinning Lures for Trout: Join a ranger at the visitor center to learn about various spinning lures used to catch trout at the park. The program will cover several different brands and color variations of spinning lures.
Stone Mountain State Park - Upper Trailhead Parking
Join rangers at the Upper Parking Lot for a 1.5 mile roundtrip moderate hike. Bring your flashlight, good hiking boots, plenty of water, breakfast, positivity, and whatever else you might need. Small coffee provided for those interested. Call 336-957-8185 extension 0 to pre-register. Participation limited to 20 individuals. Signup required in advance and the hike is weather permitting.
Stone Mountain State Park - Backpack Camping Parking Lot
Join a park ranger at the backpacking parking lot to learn about some of the basic camping equipment needed to have an enjoyable night in designated backcountry areas.
Join a ranger at the visitor center to highlight some of the crankbaits that are effective on both trout and smallmouth bass species. The program will cover various crankbaits that work well in this area.
Volunteer Hike - MST along the Bridle Out-and-Back Trail: "The View"
9/29/2022-9:0
9/29/2022-11:0
Meet at the Country Store @ 8:45am-9am
Do you come to Stone Mountain State Park for the views, but didn't realize the best view is on one of the least travelled stretches of trail in the whole park? Well then have I got a surprise for you! We'll meet at the Country Store and then hike through a (not-so) secret park entrance to this hidden gem. Then we can head back to the Country Store for snacks/refreshments, with maybe a bonus surprise along the way. This hike is extra important because we need to do some recon on the condition of this trail and its signage. We're hoping to do some more serious maintenance along this stretch in the near future, so keep an eye on this posting! 1. Play in the park you love 2. Get to know other Friends members 3. Ongoing projects - Clear trash and debris, report trail conditions 4. Special projects - Park signage research, location tags Trail: Mountains-to-Sea / Bridle Out-and-Back Trail / Bridle Spur Trail Difficulty: moderate Distance: 3-3.5 miles (depending on how far we go for trail cleanup) Elevation Gain: 100-200 ft (maaaaaybe...pretty darn flat) - Bring water, snacks, and regular (weather appropriate) day hiking gear - Meet at the Country Store @ 8:45am-9am
Stone Mountain State Park - Lower Trailhead Parking
Join a ranger for a moderate 3 mile round trip hike from the lower trailhead parking area that features a view of the 600 foot granite dome for which Stone Mountain was named and an incredible view of Stone Mountain Falls, the park's largest waterfall at over 200 feet tall. Weather Permitting!
Join at ranger at the visitor center for a scavenger hunt to try to find some of plants, animal tracks, and insects that you may come across while hiking in the park.
Stone Mountain State Park - B-Loop Family Campground Amphitheater
Who’s eyes are those off in the distance? What’s that weird noise at night? Join rangers at the campground amphitheater to discuss nocturnal creatures one might encounter in or around the campground.
Join a ranger at the visitor center to learn more about the hiking trails at the park and some of the safety concerns associated with hiking at Stone Mountain.
Forsyth Astronomical Society will set up telescopes to look at the night sky. The event begins at dark in the field at A-Loop campground, between campsites 33 and 34. Please use the grass walkway between campsites 33 and 34 and not walk through visitors' campsites. Weather permitting.
Hi Friends! There are around 70 climbing and rappelling routes on the South Face of Stone Mountain. Would you like to learn the names of the most popular routes and how to identify them? Let's find the best spot in the park for a group of 5-10 people to watch people rock climb and rappel. Please bring your; binoculars, telescopes, and fancy camera lenses. We will meet at the lower parking lot near the restrooms from 12.45pm to 1.00pm. Looking forward to seeing you!
Join a ranger at the picnic area for a program that discusses the reasoning behind leaf color change in the fall and the chemical processes that occur.
Join a ranger at the picnic area for a program that discusses the reasoning behind leaf color change in the fall and the chemical processes that occur.
Join a ranger at the visitor center to learn how to enjoy the natural wonders and resources of our local, state, and national parks responsibly so future visitors and generations will be able to have the same great experiences.
Join us for an FSM meet-and-greet on Thansgiving! Runners, walkers, hikers, strollers, friends, family, fur-babies (leashed!), and all of the above are welcome to join us for the first of what we hope will be many Thanksgiving Day Turkey Treks! We'll earn our dinner by either doing a 4 mile out-and-back to the Stone Mountain Summit or, if you're ambitious (or need to preemptively create a little extra belt clearance for later in the day), some will take the fill 6.5 mile journey around the whole loop. After we're done, at about 10:30-11, we'll gather for some snacks an a warm or cold beverage (depending on the weather) before heading home for food and football and anything else that marks the day for you and yours. Hope to see you there!
Join a ranger at the visitor center to learn about some of the chemical and physical changes that take place in white-tailed bucks as the rut approaches.
Event has been canceled due to incoming clouds and precipitation. The next event for Forsyth Astronomical Society at Stone Mountain will be on January 14th.
Meet a ranger at the base of Stone Mountain on Friday, December 16th at 3:00 p.m. Bring your camera or phone and get a family photo to share for the holidays! Visitors can access the base of Stone Mountain by walking just past the Historic Hutchinson Homestead and into the viewing field that overlooks the park's 600-foot granite dome.
Join a ranger at the visitor center to learn about building a rustic wood snowman to use for decoration during the holidays. The program will cover the steps and materials needed to complete the DIY project.
Why did the Christmas tree go to decorating school? So it could spruce up the forest! Join the elves…ahem, park rangers…at the visitor center for a Christmas ornament workshop.
Meet a ranger at the lower trailhead parking and ring in the New Year by hiking the Wolf and Cedar Rock Loop trail that feature the best view of Stone Mountain that can be found anywhere within the park. The hike is a moderate hike that is approximately 2.5 miles in length. Be sure to wear appropriate footwear for hiking and bring water and snacks for the hike. Photo by J. Mickey: First Day Hikers on Cedar Rock at Stone Mountain State Park.
Forsyth Astronomical Society will set up telescopes to look at the night sky. The event begins at dark in the field at A-Loop campground, between campsites 33 and 34. Please use the grass walkway between campsites 33 and 34 and not walk through visitors' campsites. Weather permitting. Photo by E. Farr: Full moon over the mountains as seen from Stone Mountain State Park.
Where to go and what to do while you are at Stone Mountain State Park
2/17/2023-14:0
2/17/2023-15:0
3042 Frank Parkway, Roaring Gap, NC 28668
Meet a Ranger at the Visitor Center to learn about trails and the wonderful outdoor activities that make Stone Mountain State Park such a wonderful place to visit.
We need volunteers who are willing to clean Loop A of the family campground at Stone Mountain State Park. Cleaning will consist of picking up stray litter, moving brush and raking/shoveling debris.
Forsyth Astronomical Society will set up telescopes to look at the night sky. The event begins at dark in the field at A-Loop campground, between campsites 33 and 34. Please use the grass walkway between campsites 33 and 34 and not walk through visitors' campsites. Weather permitting. *** Photo by E. Farr: Full moon over the mountains as seen from Stone Mountain State Park.
Forsyth Astronomical Society will set up telescopes to look at the night sky. The event begins at dark in the field at A-Loop campground, between campsites 33 and 34. Please use the grass walkway between campsites 33 and 34 and not walk through visitors' campsites. Weather permitting. Photo by E. Farr: Full moon over the mountains as seen from Stone Mountain State Park.
Why didn’t the mammal skull laugh at the joke? Because it had no funny bone! Join a Ranger at the visitor center for a discussion of the amazing adaptations of certain mammal species that live in the park.
