Nestled among 3,200 acres of natural beauty within Stone Mountain park was our campsite. To date, it is the most beautiful site we have stayed at and it was such a shame that it rained and stormed almost the entire time we were there!

If you like the outdoors, and the weather plays along, it would be sheer joy. There is a walk-up trail to the top of Stone Mountain ascending nearly 800 feet (240 m) in elevation and, if the skies are clear, I believe the panoramic views are spectacular.

There is a 5-mile (8 km) loop around the mountain base with a mile section going up and over the west side of the mountain; a scenic ¾ mile (1.2 km) loop trail takes visitors through a mature oak-hickory forest community which is excellent for viewing shade-loving plants; and, a Songbird Habitat Trail that is ideal for bird watching.

There is a very large lake perfect for all kinds of water sports and nighttime riverboat cruises; and, biking trails galore. When it briefly stopped raining on Sunday afternoon, the park was full of walkers, runners and cyclists – they even have two bicycle lanes, one for those peddling at a regular speed, the other for those racing!

See the building hidden behind the trees on the left hand side? On the opposite side of the lake was our campground.

Personally, I think the Stone Mountain memorial has been ruined by over-commercialization. One attraction, the skyride to the top of the mountain in a cable car, simply ruins the mountain’s aesthetics. I’m probably being a bah humbug as I didn’t get to do it!