Can young kids hike to the top of Stone Mountain?

Yes, kids as young as 4-5 can complete the Walk Up Trail with encouragement, snack breaks, and proper shoes. The trail is 1.3 miles with steep sections, and the granite surface can be slippery. Budget 60-90 minutes for the round trip with kids. Alternatively, the Summit Skyride cable car takes just 7 minutes.

When is the Stone Mountain laser show?

The Lasershow Spectacular typically runs Saturday evenings from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with additional nights during peak summer weeks and special events. Shows start at dark (usually 9:30 PM in summer). Arrive at least an hour early for a good spot on the Memorial Lawn. The show is included with parking admission.

How much does Stone Mountain Park cost for a family?

Parking is $20 per vehicle. From there, you can hike the mountain for free or purchase attraction passes. The All-Attractions Pass runs about $40/person and includes the Skyride, Scenic Railroad, 4D theater, and seasonal attractions. A family of four will spend $90-$160 depending on which passes and attractions they choose.

Is Stone Mountain Park worth a full day?

Absolutely, especially with the All-Attractions Pass. Between the summit hike or Skyride, the Scenic Railroad, the dinosaur exhibit, splash areas, and nature trails, most families find a full day isn't enough. Many locals recommend visiting multiple times across seasons rather than trying to do everything in one visit.

Stone Mountain Park

Name: Stone Mountain Park
Address: 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd, Atlanta, GA, 30083, US
Telephone: (770) 498-5690
Rating: 4.4

Rating

4.4(32,000)

Family of 4

$90-$160.

Duration

4-6 hours (full day recommended)

Best Ages

All ages

About

Stone Mountain Park is one of the Atlanta area's most iconic family destinations, centered around a 1,686-foot granite monolith that rises above the surrounding forest about 20 miles east of downtown. The park sprawls across 3,200 acres and offers enough activities to fill an entire day — or several visits throughout the year.

The mountain itself is the main attraction. Families can reach the summit via the Swiss-style Summit Skyride cable car (about 7 minutes each way) or by hiking the 1. 3-mile Walk Up Trail.

The trail is steep in sections but manageable for most kids ages 5 and up with proper footwear and water. The views from the 825-foot summit are spectacular, and the smooth granite surface at the top gives kids a unique landscape to explore.

Beyond the mountain, the park offers a rotating slate of attractions depending on the season and pass level. Perennial favorites include the Scenic Railroad (a 30-minute narrated loop around the mountain in open-air cars), Dinosaur Explore (with life-size animatronic dinosaurs), SkyHike (a family-friendly aerial ropes course), the 4D theater, and the Geyser Tower splash area for cooling off in summer.

The park's signature event is the Lasershow Spectacular, a free-with-parking summer tradition where lasers, fireworks, and animated projections light up the north face of the mountain set to popular music. Families set up blankets on the massive Memorial Lawn, and the atmosphere is part concert, part drive-in movie, part community picnic. It's been running for decades and remains one of the most beloved family events in metro Atlanta.

Practically, families should know that the park charges per vehicle for parking ($20) and individual attraction tickets or all-day passes are separate. The All-Attractions Pass provides the best value if you plan to do three or more activities. The park is large enough that driving between some areas is necessary, though the core attractions around the mountain base are walkable.

Season passes are popular with local families and pay for themselves quickly.

Age Suitability

Infants (0-1)Toddlers (1-3)Little Kids (4-6)Big Kids (7-9)Tweens (10-12)Teens (13-17)

Parent Logistics

Stroller-Friendly

Nursing / Changing

true

Kid Meals

true

Setting

Outdoor

Rainy Day

Not ideal

Plan Your Visit

Best Time to Visit

Spring and fall for hiking; summer evenings for the laser show; weekdays for smallest crowds

Wait Times

15-30 minutes for Skyride; longer on weekends and holidays for popular attractions

Nearby Food

On-site options include the Camp Highland Outpost and various seasonal concession stands. Stone Mountain Village (outside the park gate) has local restaurants including Village Burger and AJ's Famous Seafood. Pack a cooler for the best value.

Why Kids Love It

Stone Mountain Park is an all-day adventure playground centered around the world's largest exposed granite monolith. The Summit Skyride cable car takes families to the top of the mountain in minutes, and the 360-degree views from the summit leave kids speechless — on clear days you can see the Atlanta skyline 16 miles away. For active families, the 1.

3-mile Walk Up Trail to the summit is a rite of passage that kids as young as 5 can complete with encouragement.

The park's attractions beyond the mountain give families a full day of entertainment. The Scenic Railroad takes a 30-minute loop around the base of the mountain in a vintage open-air train. The Geyser Tower splash area, the SkyHike aerial ropes course, and the dinosaur-themed Dinosaur Explore exhibit give kids options to burn energy between bigger attractions.

The legendary Lasershow Spectacular (seasonal, summer evenings) projects massive animations and lasers onto the face of the mountain set to music. Kids sprawl on blankets on the Memorial Lawn with snacks, watching the mountain light up. It's a quintessential Atlanta family experience that many locals consider a childhood essential.

Pro Tips from Parents

Hike the Walk Up Trail early in the morning to avoid heat and crowds — it gets hot on bare granite by midday.
The Lasershow Spectacular runs Saturday evenings in season; arrive at least an hour early for a good lawn spot.
Bring a wagon for younger kids — the park is spread out and distances between attractions add up.
The Scenic Railroad and Skyride have the longest lines — do these first or during lunch hour.
Pack plenty of water, especially for the summit hike — there's no shade on the granite trail.

What to Bring

plenty of water
sunscreen
comfortable hiking shoes
picnic lunch
blanket for laser show
wagon for toddlers

Cost Info

Estimated Cost (Family of 4)

$90-$160.

Daily parking pass: $20.

All-Attractions pass: ~$40/person x4 = $160 (includes Skyride, scenic railroad, 4D theater, etc.

Alternatively, park entry + Summit Skyride only: ~$25/person x4 = $100 + $20 parking = $120.

Tips to Save

Buy an Adventure Pass online for discounts.
The walk-up trail to the summit is free with parking — skip the Skyride to save.
Season passes pay for themselves in 2 visits.
Pack lunch — picnic areas are plentiful and on-site food is pricey.