Kayak the glassy waters of Stone Mountain Lake, catching reflections of Stone Mountain’s towering dome, on this day-long, six-mile paddle with REI Outdoor School.
Many of our adventures involve hiking boots and running shoes, trekking Georgia’s hiking, running and backpacking trails. And while we’re no strangers to paddling, having kayaked the Chattahoochee River and coastal barrier islands (and even a bio-bay on the island of Vieques), we’ve never toured on a kayak day tour. So, sunscreen applied and camera ready, we joined the Boat House at Stone Mountain Lake for a kayaking adventure.
Eric, our guide, leads our expedition. We meet a small group of paddlers at the Stone Mountain Park campground on an early, foggy, late-June summer morning, sloshing back the last of our morning caffeine before our adventure.
Stone Mountain Lake arcs around its towering, bald, namesake mountain, trailing shoreline near the park’s attractions and quiet coniferous forest. From the water, this kayaking trip offers stunning views of Stone Mountain that most never see: its towering, rounded granite dome reflecting in the rippling waters of the lake.
Our tour package includes expert instruction as well as quality rental gear, including Wilderness Systems Tsunami touring kayaks, paddles, PFDs and dry bags for our personal cameras, sunscreen and other gear. After a brief orientation and overview, and our gear stuffed in dry bags in our kayaks’ hatches, our guide helps us push off from the shore.
On the water, the tour traces the lake’s shore in search of wildlife, spotting deer, geese, and turtles basking in sunny rays. Our kayaks slice easily through the lake’s gently rippling water, touring the lake’s shoreline and open stretches with little effort. Unlike their riverine cousins, which we’re used to, these touring kayaks track straight and paddle with ease on the lake’s glassy, calm water. The paddle is a workout, but enjoyable.
Following the shore, the tree line opens suddenly, revealing Stone Mountain’s rounded, towering granite dome. The mountain reflects in the calm water of an inlet, doubling the mountain’s beauty.
Our tour floats under the Stone Mountain Park’s historic covered bridge, the sound of cars clacking over the bridge’s wooden structure above echoing on the water below. We paddle, tracing the shore, to visit a century-old grist mill, its wooden wheel turning under the weight of a flowing stream.
We’ve explored Stone Mountain via hike, having trekked over seven miles through the park’s lakeside and mountaintop landscapes on the Cherokee and Walk-Up Hiking Trails. But the views on this kayaking day trip are unique: we explore stretches of the park by water that we’ve never seen by land.
Approaching noon, our group is getting hungry, so our guide instructs us on shoring our kayaks on a shady peninsula. We unpack the yaks and enjoy some cool shade as Eric preps lunch for the group. Expecting something simple, we’re shocked: lunch is a huge spread of fresh vegetables, bread, sandwich fixings, chips, fresh fruit, and cookies. Yum.
Our lunch energetically devoured, we pushed off, riding the rolling wake of Stone Mountain’s curious amphibious vehicles, vintage 1940s ‘Ducks’. Paddling along, we swap stories of hiking, backpacking, and outdoor adventures. Our group is a varied bunch, but we all share a common love for the outdoors and adventure. No wonder, then, that we’re all huge REI fans as well.
Fun, educational, and incredibly beautiful, our Stone Mountain Lake paddle was a great adventure. Want to try it out? Contact the Boat House at Stone Mountain Lake for tour and rental information.
Please Remember
Always leave no trace, pack out everything you pack in, and if you see trash, pick it up and pack it out.
Stay on the marked trail, tell someone where you're going, pack safety and wayfinding essentials, and don't rely on a mobile phone to find your way. Please always practice good trail etiquette. And before you go, always check the trailhead kiosk, official maps, and the park or ranger office for notices of changed routes, trail closures, safety information, and restrictions.
