Outside Atlanta

Camping at Stone Mountain Park

We camped here because it wasn’t “too far” from the 3 places we really wanted to see north of/in Atlanta. We used our first 3 days for those visits (taking MARTA for our day in Atlanta).

Visits to 2 new National Park Sites:

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (#314), “An Ancient River In A Modern City“, where one can take a walk to enjoy nature, raft leisurely through the rocky shoals, fish the misty waters, or have a picnic. The Units are “scattered” along the river north of Atlanta, and often have city views and/or highway noise, but nice, none-the-less. We visted 2 Units over 2 days (spent as much time driving, as being there…Atlanta Traffic Sucks).
- Sunday we visited the Hewlett Lodge Visitor Center at Island Ford and walked around a bit. The trails there are being upgraded for spring 2026. We tried to go for a hike in Sope Creek in Cochran Shoals. There was no available parking, but we did drive by the old Paper Mill Ruins there.
- Monday we hiked 5 miles at Indian Trail in the Palisades Unit. Quite a bit was along the river, where we saw many water birds and turtles, and a small Bamboo Forest.

On the river at Island Ford. One of many spots for River Access along the Chattahoochee
Taking off for our first hike in quite awhile, on the Indian Trail at East Palisades
Double Crested Cormorants sunning on the Chattahoochee River
A lookout over the Devil’s Racecourse Shoals on the Indian Trail…see the city in the “distance”
Walking along the Chattahoochee River
Bamboo Forest on the Chattahoochee River

Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Park & Preservation District (#315), where a young boy grew up in a time of segregation. Here we explored his roots, walked in his footsteps in the Sweet Auburn neighborhood, learned about the home of his birth (curently being renovated), visited the church where he changed the world and visited the Freedom Center, established by Coretta Scott King, and where Reverand & Mrs. King are interred.

MLK NHP-new Ebenezer Baptist Church & Visitor Center (being renovated)
MLK NHP-Fire Station No. 6 where MLK visited as a kid, and temporaty VC
MLK NHP-Fire Station No. 6, 1929 Fire Engine
MLK NHP-Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church
MLK NHP-Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church Sancuary
MLK NHP-Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church-wagon used to transport MLK casket, in the basement
MLK NHP-Final Resting spot for Martin Luther King Jr & Coretta Scott King at the Freedom Center
MLK NHP-Historic Sweet Auburn
MLK NHP-Historic Sweet Auburn-MLK Birthplace & NHP Bookstore

Tour 1 new State Capitol:

Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta (#46), where we “lucked out”, visiting during the 2026 election candidate qualifying period (March 2–6), which draws numerous politicians, and various state officials, to register for the ballot, a process featuring candidates in long lines. It was also approaching the Cross-Over Day Deadline (today), so the legislators were “working late”. Crowded and Noisy! Our first stop on Tuesday, we mostly walked the grounds, before hiking over to MLK NHP, returning for a 1:30 Tour of the interior. We ended our visit on our own, exploring the Georgia Museum on the 4th floor.

Georgia State Capitol Building, Atlanta
Georgia State Capitol-Statue of Jimmy Carter
Georgia State Capitol-Statue of Martin Luther King Jr.

Stone Mountain Park

Upon our arrival here, we realized there was a lot more to see and do right here than we had realized. And, although we knew ahead that we had a campsite on the water, we did not realize that it also came with a view of Stone Mountain, itself! We spent time just enjoying our beautiful spot. AND…3 of our 6 nights, a view of the fireworks! Wednesday we drove (3+ miles in the park) to the old Gristmill, and then took the 5 mile Cherokee Trail around Stone Mountain, and hiked up to the top of the mountain. It became a 7.5 mile afternoon, ending at sundown.