Hike Through A Former 170-Year-Old Homestead In North Carolina At Stone Mountain State Park

Hike through a former homestead in North Carolina and imagine living in the shadow of a 600-foot-tall granite dome only a stone's throw from your homestead in the 1800s. Stone Mountain State Park in Roaring Gap features a number of trails but one of them oozes charm perfectly fused with nature and it's sure to leave you awestruck.

First and foremost, the Stone Mountain Loop Trail features several original buildings (complete with original furnishings) from a mid-1800s homestead owned by the Hutchinson family.

The Hutchinson Homestead includes a log cabin, blacksmith shop, barn, a meat house, and a corn crib. Here, you'll step back in time to a simpler lifestyle as you take a hiking detour to tour the interior of many of the buildings. The buildings are open for self-guided tours from March through October each year.

Stone Mountain State Park was established in 1969 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

The site encompasses 14,353 acres and, although the homestead buildings are only open seven months of the year, the park itself is accessible and open to the public year-round.

Nine trails ranging from 0.5 miles to 4.5 miles wind through the park offering a number of unique activities for visitors to enjoy.

But to see the homestead, you'll need to take the Stone Mountain Loop Trail.

At 4.5 miles in length, it's rated by AllTrails as a moderate journey on foot.

The summit of the 600-foot-tall granite dome is at the center of the hike's payoff.

From up here, you'll have a front row seat for views that are unparalleled in this part of the state.

Reaching the top should take approximately 1. 5 hours. In total, the hike is easily doable in three hours.

However, a warning: there are many, many stairs.

Hiking sticks are recommended if you have any issues with your knees, as they will help to relieve the pressure when going down the hundreds of stairs.

Also be aware there could be stairs without handrails.

Sticks are essential on this journey.

Other wonderful features along this hike include a variety of wide open spaces through lush green meadows.

And a 200-foot waterfall you'll see from the top. Don't venture too close to the water, though; fatalities occur here on the regular so you'll want to be extra careful at the waterfall.

If hiking the Stone Mountain Loop Trail between March and October, be sure to carve out enough time to explore the old homestead.

Throughout the year, Stone Mountain State Park hosts a variety of programs and events worth attending.

Have you discovered the North Carolina goodness at Stone Mountain State Park?

If not, think you'll make it this year?

Stone Mountain State Park is located at 3042 Frank Parkway, Roaring Gap, NC 28668. Other activities at this park include fishing, camping, horseback riding, rock climbing, and picnicking. The park is open year-round, with the exception of Christmas Day. See the official website for Stone Mountain State Park for park hours, which change seasonally. Admission is absolutely free.