Metro Atlanta’s closest mountain day trip: a free hiking trail to the summit plus a separate paid Attractions Ticket for the cable car, laser show and theme-park-style rides. Parking is a flat daily fee, not per-attraction.
Stone Mountain at a glance
- Drive from Atlanta
- 16 mi from downtownour Stone Mountain guide
- Parking
- $20/vehicle daily ($40 annual pass)our Stone Mountain guide
- Attractions ticket
- $39.99 adult, $36.99 child (separate from parking)our Stone Mountain guide
- Dogs
- Leashed dogs OK on most trails; not in attractions, buildings, on the lake or at events — Walk-Up Trail rules have conflicted, check posted signsour Stone Mountain guide
- Strollers
- Allowed but parked outside most attractions; rentals at the Adventure Center; not on the Walk-Up Trailour Stone Mountain guide
- Best time to visit
- Early morning for the Walk-Up Trail; attractions run mainly weekends, March–Decemberour Stone Mountain guide
- Ideal length
- Half day (trail and lake) to a full day (attractions)
- Last verified
Where an operator doesn’t publish a figure, or we couldn’t confirm one, we say so rather than estimate it. How we check · Verification log
Stone Mountain questions
How much does it cost to park at Stone Mountain?
$20 per vehicle per day, or $40 for an annual pass. This is separate from the Attractions Ticket. (Our Stone Mountain guide, checked 2026.)
Can I hike Stone Mountain for free?
Yes — the Walk-Up Trail to the summit is free once you’ve paid the parking fee; only the separate attractions (cable car, laser show, rides) require the paid Attractions Ticket. (Our Stone Mountain guide.)
Are dogs allowed on the Stone Mountain Walk-Up Trail?
Leashed dogs are generally allowed on most park trails, but rules for the Walk-Up Trail specifically have conflicted between sources — check the posted signs on the day. Dogs are not allowed in attractions, buildings, on the lake or at events. (Our Stone Mountain guide.)
How far is Stone Mountain from downtown Atlanta?
About 16 miles. (Our Stone Mountain guide; Georgia drive times.)
Guides that cover Stone Mountain
Plan the trip
- Stone Mountain Park Guide
- Full comparison: Stone Mountain vs Kennesaw Mountain →
- Things to do in Atlanta
Data
Nearby
Hank Whitlock is the pen name of the It's Georgia editor. Every guide is built around the questions a busy family actually asks before a trip: how long is the drive, what does parking cost, can the stroller make it, are dogs allowed. Details are checked against official park, city, and venue sources, and each guide shows the date it was last updated.
