Stone Mountain, Monzonite dome mountain in DeKalb County, Georgia, US.
Stone Mountain is a bare, greyish-tan dome of quartz monzonite, granite and granodiorite rising 825 feet (251 meters) above the flat, tree-covered landscape of DeKalb County, Georgia. Long vertical and diagonal grooves streak its oval flanks, and a slender mast, a small cluster of low buildings and a pale tower stand on the summit. Its base measures over 5 miles in circumference.
Evidence shows that indigenous communities used the summit for ceremonial purposes long before settlers arrived in the region during the 16th century. The area later became a public park in the 20th century, transforming the site into a recreational destination.
The north face carries the world's largest bas-relief, a carving of Confederate leaders Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson finished in 1972. Visitors come to see the 825-foot granite dome and the carving, and the mountain's name is simply the literal English term for the bare rock.
The site opens early in the morning and closes late at night, offering facilities such as camping areas, golf courses, and a train that circles the base. Visitors can choose between a gentle path around the bottom or a more demanding climb to the top, which requires sturdy footwear and some physical effort.
Shallow pools of rainwater collect at the top and host rare shrimp species along with plants that are otherwise found only in a few locations across the Southern Appalachians. These temporary pools attract biologists and curious visitors who come to observe these small ecosystems.
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