Panola Mountain State Park

Field Trip Information

» Hiking Notice:
› Ranger-led guided hikes are required to access the granite mountain. Call for reservations.
› Pets are not allowed in this conservation area; however, leashed dogs are allowed on other trails.

"Home to a rare, pristine monadnock, Panola Mountain State Park provides you an oasis near Metro Atlanta to play, unwind, learn or discover the diverse natural and cultural heritage of the piedmont region."

Just 15 minutes from Atlanta is a recreational haven for all ages and interests. Visitors can picnic while children work off energy on the playground. The park offers archery, geocaching, orienteering, birding and tree-climbing programs. A paved trail is open for biking, roller blading, jogging and dog-walking, while forested fitness trails are open for hiking and running.

Panola Mountain is a 100-acre granite outcrop similar to Stone Mountain, but smaller and much more pristine. Park visitors will see the outcrop and its rare ecosystem just as Native Americans did centuries ago. Reservations are required for ranger-led hikes that teach about the rare plants and animals found in this habitat.

Panola Mountain State Park is the crown jewel of the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area, one of only three National Heritage Areas in the state. The park’s unusual natural beauty and intriguing cultural changes are the basis for this special recognition. Over the years, this area has been home to early settlers, immigrant rock cutters, freed slaves and even Trappist monks. Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area is a partnership among the state of Georgia, DeKalb, Henry and Rockdale counties, the Monastery of the Holy Spirit, and numerous communities and public-private partners. Panola has also been designated a National Natural Landmark.

Vaughters’ Barn is an iconic remnant of DeKalb County’s rural past and a part of Panola Mountain State Park. The barn sits on an agricultural landscape that is a centerpiece of the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area (AMNHA).

Learn about Vaughters Farm

Reservations, Accommodations & Facilities

  • 1,635 Acres
  • 2 Lakes - 35 acres together
  • 4 Picnic Shelters (Before making reservations, call park for capacity limits.)
  • Event Room (seats 50. Before making reservations, call park for capacity limits.) — call park to reserve
  • Alexander Lake Pavilion (Before making reservations, call park for capacity limits.)
  • 5 Primitive Campsites
  • Amphitheater
  • Nature Center
  • Gift Shop
  • Playground

Things To Do & See

Nearby Attractions

Social Story

Panola's social story walks visitors through an average experience at Panola Mountain State Park and introduces them to things that they might expect to see or run into while visiting the park.

Quota Hunt

Safety Zones Map PDF - If you have the Avenza PDF reader app on your phone, you can download the map, open it in that app, and it should be able to give you a location when you are at that site. Geo-Referenced maps are not always 100% accurate. They should be used in conjunction with, and not in place of, other traditional methods of navigation or personal familiarity of an area.

Programs & Excursions

Due to the popularity of our programs, all require advanced registration. Call to schedule a private event for your group.

Group Contracts

Photography

For professional photography please visit GaStateParks.org/Film to download and submit a commercial photography application.

In The News

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