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Winter Camping near Stone Mountain

Original Post
wufpak18 Martin · · Salt Lake City, Utah · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 15

Anyone know where I could camp around Stone Mountain other than the state park? I will not be able to get out there until late friday evening and the park closes at 6 on winter hours. The closest place I could find was A&C campground just north of the park but I won;t know if they are open until I call tomorrow. Any free spots, trailheads, or roadside areas where I could pitch a tent without being hassled for a night?

Mark Finnigan · · Arizona · Joined Jan 2014 · Points: 0

You may have already made plans, but last year (around this time) my girlfriend and I slept in back of my truck in a church parking lot. There all night with cars going by and no problems.
If you are tent camping, it may not be as inconspicuous but probably would be fine for a night. Church is up Oklahoma road, which is just before park entrance, just about 1/2 mile or so. Hopefully this helps.

Meme Guy · · Land of Runout Slab · Joined Sep 2013 · Points: 325

Very primitive camp ground just outside the park off Longbottom road on Grissel tail rd that sits next to the creek, haven't been down there in a year or two so I can't remember how easy it is to see but I'm fairly sure it's the first left once you're on Grissel tail. There's a pull out for fishermen, then there's a dirt drive just after that on the left, if I recall correct. There may or may not be a fee, the guy across the street owns the land but allows camping with the condition that people aren't shit heads. MAY NOT BE EASIEST TO FIND FIRST TIME IN DARK.

There's a camp ground even further down Grissel tail that's more official, bathrooms RV spots and what not. It's on Grissel tail rd, just before you get to Dark Hollow Drive there should be a turn off on the left. Not sure the price on that a night.

You can always sleep at the Walmart in Elkin if it comes down to it.

Camping at Thurmond Chatham Gamelands is free, about 20 minutes from the park right off long bottom road.

And if none of that works, contact the Stone Mountain General Store sometime today and ask them if they have any suggestions. Those folks are so nice I could see them letting you pitch a tent up behind the store under the power lines. Especially if you're coming in late and heading out early.

Tom Caldwell · · Clemson, S.C. · Joined Jun 2009 · Points: 3,623

It has been a while since I have been there, but I remember the guidebook describing a place to camp. It was just down the road near some powerlines. You pull in a road and drive past a trailer or two. I remember vaguely that there were numbered spots down that way. I believe you are supposed to pay, but we could never find anyone in the morning to give money to.

Emil Briggs · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2013 · Points: 125
TomCaldwell wrote:It has been a while since I have been there, but I remember the guidebook describing a place to camp. It was just down the road near some powerlines. You pull in a road and drive past a trailer or two. I remember vaguely that there were numbered spots down that way. I believe you are supposed to pay, but we could never find anyone in the morning to give money to.
Sounds like you're talking about the place on the left off of Traphill road right before you take a right turn to head into the park. We used to camp there and would pay the people at the house right past the power lines. Havn't used it in 6 or 7 years though so I don't know if it's still in operation.
Meme Guy · · Land of Runout Slab · Joined Sep 2013 · Points: 325

FYI park is still closed as of posting this.

ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/stm…

Meme Guy · · Land of Runout Slab · Joined Sep 2013 · Points: 325

Update: Park partially OPEN from Upper Gate on John P Frank Pkwy to Upper Parking Lot and Campground. Lower gate CLOSED until further notice due to snow & ice.

Would be a bitch of a hike in...

Emil Briggs · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2013 · Points: 125
Meme Guy wrote:Update: Park partially OPEN from Upper Gate on John P Frank Pkwy to Upper Parking Lot and Campground. Lower gate CLOSED until further notice due to snow & ice. Would be a bitch of a hike in...
Hey I actually hiked in from the lower gate once to climb on the south face. We drove all the way out from Raleigh and the gate was closed because of ice on the road. No way we were going to drive all the way back without doing any climbing at all though so we sucked it up, parked at the gate and hoofed it.
Meme Guy · · Land of Runout Slab · Joined Sep 2013 · Points: 325

Park is open. Enjoy the slabbing and no bitching about the run outs.

wufpak18 Martin · · Salt Lake City, Utah · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 15

Thanks all for the info. I call'd them today and heard about the partial closures. It looks like I am going to forgo the full day of warming sunshine and head to Moore's. Good news is it won't be outrageously cold tomorrow.

Meme Guy · · Land of Runout Slab · Joined Sep 2013 · Points: 325
wufpak18 wrote:Thanks all for the info. I call'd them today and heard about the partial closures. It looks like I am going to forgo the full day of warming sunshine and head to Moore's. Good news is it won't be outrageously cold tomorrow.
Yup, should be a great weekend at Moore's. Be safe, and go Russell Wilson!
wufpak18 Martin · · Salt Lake City, Utah · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 15

Russell is the MAN! I was at NC State with him the four years he was here. Nicest and most humble guy you will ever talk to! I'm happy he has faired well at Wisconsin for a year and at the Seahawks so far. GO HAWKS!!

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Southern States
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