Shall we start at the beginning? It seems only right to take you all the way back to when we first started camping as a family. When we were children we had been out camping with our own parents but this camping trip was going to be our first with our kids. We knew we wanted a campground within a days drive from home and we wanted to make sure the kids had a blast so they would want to continue camping with us. Stone Mountain, GA fit the bill!

We had spent most of our time after college chasing a career and not really enjoying outdoor adventures besides occassionally visiting the Blue Ridge Mountains where family lived or enjoying retreats that were sponsored by our employers. So think, lots of family stays, hotels, and resorts! So one day we just decided - this Memorial Day Weekend we are going camping - much like most of the weekend warriors across the country. We quickly wrote out a list of what we needed and headed to Walmart. Not knowing if our kids would like it as much as we did we were not about to splurge on the really good camping gear. As we learned and still stand by to this day…if you want to enter the world of camping you can do so on a lean budget and Walmart’s Ozark Trail collection will suffice!

We were able to snag a spot right on the lake looking up at Stone Mountain itself! Even the campground host was shocked that spot had not been reserved yet! In fact, if you look at Stone Mountains Website and look at the picture they have for tent sites that is the one we got! That site number is 202. We have since stayed there again with family and always book 200 & 202 together.

As a kid living outside of Atlanta, GA with my parents I knew all the amenties geared towards children that would surely suck our children in. From the hike up the rock, the gondola ride down, the train, the fireworks, and the laser light show on the mountain! What I did not know was how much it had grown and that Stone Mountain now has a massive entertainment complex adding even more fun stuff for families to do. But here is where I need to warn you…it can get expensive. So if you want to spend a long weekend or a week at Stone Mountain Park Campground keep in mind that all the fun things start to add up. You still get tons of nature and can choose to enjoy that without all the “entertainment glam.”

***View of Stone Mountain from Site 202.***

So let’s talk hikes. First and foremost, you have to hike up the mountain. It is a great workout and there is only one spot that was really strenous and steep…it will put you to the test. Just take your time and chant the motto that the 5 year old with his mom that passed us was chanting during the steep parts… WE CAN DO HARD THINGS! And yes you read that right. That little boy and his Mom passed us!

The second hike you need to do is King’s Trail at Indian Island. Get there early because parking is limited. And when traffic is low you can get some great photos crossing the gorgeous wooden covered bridge! It’s an easy wonderful hike and you can even take lunch with you because you will find picnic tables along the way near the water.

You can’t miss the laser light show so make sure you are staying on a night when they are doing that. You literally have to walk through entertainment row to get to the lawn to watch the show. If you are trying to be mindful of a budget you can take snacks, and drinks, and we highly recommend glow sticks for the kids so they don’t pester you endlessly for you to buy some from the walking vendors that are selling them at a crazy markup. At the end of the show they have amazing fireworks to end your night. If you are staying for a weekend you can go to the show one night and the next night just sit back and enjoy the fireworks from your campsite!

Our kids also loved the playground at Stone Mountain Park! The playground area had a small man made creek running through it that kids could play in, a rock climbing wall, and a ropes course. When our kids were younger, burning off energy was always a top priority! And while the kids love to play, we all love history and learning about the places we travel too. So riding the train and learning all kinds of fun history about the mountain was as enjoyable for us as it was the kids. Also, don’t miss out on walking through Historic Square where you will find a small civil war era town to walk through. It is absolutely stunning and they have done such a good job restoring the buildings and giving you a sense of what life was like back then.

Over the years we have been back and continue to enjoy our stays at Stone Mountain. Whether we are spending money on all the extra amenites or just enjoying the campground, which I should mention has a pool, playground, and does pancake breakfast on the weekends, Stone Mountain Park is a family favorite! If you have, canoes, kayaks, or paddleboards bring them! You can not swim in the lake but you can do water activities. Site 202 not only stares directly at Stone Mountain but Goose Island as well. You are not allowed on the island because it is protected for the geese but we spent alot of time paddling around it with the geese and their babies! Absolutely adorable!

If you happen to be looking for a Christmas Adventure, Stone Mountain, is covered in lights and fun Christmas activities and they blow snow for the kids to run around in. Don’t forget to pack some Christmas inflatables and lights to decorate your campsite!

Overall, you get everything your nature loving heart wants at Stone Mountain with alot of amenities and options for anyone in your crowd that isn’t up for the hikes or the height of the gondola ride. And since we mainly travel in our RV now, if you are a tent camper, we are one less family that will try to book site 202 before you do. If you are a first time camper and came across this blog post you can also go here to find our list of essential items we would buy for a first time camping trip!

We hope this helps and hope to see you on the road!

Our First Camping Trip

Did we find the perfect campground?