Looking for to get out in nature this weekend in Atlanta? Don’t go to Arabia Mountain just east of Atlanta. Yes, you can go… but I’d rather keep it to myself.
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What is Arabia Mountain National Heritage Site?
Arabia Mountain is a 2,500 acre preserved nature area east of Atlanta with the rocky hiking as the central focus point. There are two separate portions under the same name.
Evidence of previous quarrying can be seen in some of the leveled areas with dynamite blast holes, but much of the landscape is still in it’s natural form with plenty of land to explore. At one time, this Davidson quarry was one of the largest in the world and granite from this area can be seen throughout Washington, D.C., West Point, and the Brooklyn Bridge. The remains of quarry offices and jail cell can be explored at the west side entrance.
Where is Arabia Mountain?
Lithonia, GA. 25 minutes east of downtown Atlanta. On your phone, plot your course to “aware wildlife center” on your map to head to climb the mountain. For the west side with the nature center, enter “Davidson-Arabia Nature Preserve”.
When is the Best Time of Day to Visit Arabia Mountain?
Arabia Mountain is great for a sunrise and a sunset and any time in between. The only caution I would give is that, if you’re climbing the mountain, there is no shade and the heat reflects greatly off the rock surface. If you’re heading out later in the day, stick to the wooded path around the base of the mountain or take one of the trails on the west side.
What is the Best Time of Year at Arabia Mtn?
Go in early fall to one of the local Atlanta monadnocks to enjoy the yellow daisies blooming all over the rocky surface of Arabia Mountain. Every September to October, the dead-appearing solution pools in the rock’s surface bloom to life with yellow everywhere! Don’t wait too long or they’ll be gone.
This ever changing landscape needs to be appreciated at different times all throughout the year. Come and watch the changes in nature: blooming diamorpha red, diamorpha changes to white flowers, cactus blooming, yellow daisies, purple flowers, and lovely ever-present lichen and mosses.
How much time do I need to Explore Arabia Mtn?
Arabia Mountain Atlanta can be explore for several hours up to all afternoon. It totally depends how much wandering you want to do. With about two hours, you can get to the top of Arabia Mountain and back down. With several more hours, go adventuring past the mountain, follow the trail around, and snag some geocaches. Our favorite way to adventure with friends is to let the kids play at the top while moms sit around and chat. This is also a good place to have a picnic while looking at over the view.
What is There To Do at Arabia Mountain?
There is a big difference between the two portions of Arabia Mountain, and though separated by a trail, they offer distinctly different Georgia hiking and adventuring. There is a trail that crosses the highway to connect both sides of Arabia Mountain.
Explore the East Side of Arabia Mountain
- Tall monadnock (massive granite outcrop), lake trail, untouched wilderness to explore
- Small parking lot
- Route GPS to the Arabia Mountain Animal Rescue
- Undefined trail up the mountain; blue tags for path around the base; wooded trail
- Port-a-Potty
- Wooden boardwalk along the road.
- Unstaffed.
Explore the West Side of Arabia Mountain
- Quarried flat mountain remnants. This is the more flat side for hiking
- Larger connected two parking lots – still fill up on weekends
- Route to Arabia Mountain
- Pit-potty near Arabian Mountain Visitor Center – not super clean.
- Paved route that meets up with the large PATH bike route (map here) that goes further north and south
- Additional trail across the quarried area marked with cairns that leads down to the water
- Additional wooded trail takes off on the right side of the parking lot. This is not very well marked.
- Staff sometimes present at the Arabia Mountain VC/ Nature Center. You won’t see them though unless you go looking for them.
Hike Arabia Mountain
How Long Does It Take to Hike Arabia Mountain?
If you’re just headed from the parking lot to the top of Arabia Mountain, you could be there in half an hour. However, that’s minimum. You’ll explore way past that.
Is Arabia Mountain a Difficult Hike?
To get to the top of Arabia Mountain, it is steep with some sides steeper than others. This is the only steep portion you will find. The other areas which have been quarried or the wooded paths are relatively flat.
Can I Bring Food to Arabia Mountain?
- Bring snacks with you and eat on the go; just pack it out as there will be no trash receptacles throughout the nature area.
- There’s no official picnic area.
- Take all the water you need. Look for the water bottle refill station under the covered entrance.
Arabia Mountain FAQs
Are there restrooms at Arabia Mountain?
There is a porta-potty at the entrance in the east side parking lot; no running water. For a real bathroom, you need to visit the visitor center at the other part of Arabia Mountain only five minutes down the road.
Is Arabia Mountain Dog Friendly?
Dogs love to explore Arabia Mountain both on the train and on the granite mountain. If your dog has sensitive paws, they could burn in the summer on that rock.
Is Arabia Mountain Free?
The whole Arabia Mountain area is free for park entrance, parking, and hiking.
Where Do I Park at Arabia Mountain?
This lot will quickly fill up on weekends; park down the road on the west side and walk in on the boardwalk if necessary. Try to go early and during the week if possible to make parking easier. More Arabia Mountain parking lot information is here.
Do People Get Lost at Arabia Mountain?
Yes, you can get lost while hiking Arabia Mountain. My own friends made several loops one time they know the area well. However, listen to the road noises, and you should be able to figure it out. There are no fences blocking off your trail; just keep going. One side is marked with blue tags and the other has cairns. Just consider it part of the Arabia Mountain adventure. Check out this Arabia Mountain map; download it on your phone because it’s possible that you won’t have signal later.
Arabia Mountain Warnings
- The hike can be steep in areas and is especially slippery after a rain. Bring proper shoes.
- This is not a stroller walk and there are no paved walk ways than the boardwalk and the paved trail. Don’t try to take a stroller up the mountain or off on the dirt trails.
- Before the hike, educate yourself and the kids on where it’s safe to walk to not damage the plant life. This area has endangered plant life and it is up to us to hike wisely and protect if for future adventurers.
- Prepare to wander. The blue trail is marked but pay attention. You may get turned around.
- There is a lake but not for swimming or fishing.
- Watch out for snakes. While we haven’t seen snakes at the mountain, we have seen several near the water at the back of the flat side.
Is Arabia Mountain Good for Kids?
Even though the surface of the granite may look at times like simply a lifeless rock, it isn’t. It has its own little ecosystem. The lichen starts to break down the surface of the rock which forms into shallow sandy areas which collect water with rain and condensation. With a variety of lichen and moss, these areas can even host frogs and salamanders.
Help protect this delicate system by staying on the rock. Don’t step in the depressions or shallow pits especially where there are plants growing. Hidden in the soil is lurking the endangered dimorph whose bright red blooms will cover the rock in April before blooming with its tiny white flowers.
Learn: endangered species, diamorpha, monadnock, lichen, solution pools
Plan for a Guided Naturalist Tour at Arabia Mountain
Call the Arabia Mountain Nature Center and get your student group a guided tour. Our homeschool group was blessed by an amazing guide who truly listened to our kids and allowed them to explore as kids. Highly recommended especially if you have never been to the area before. It’s also a good way to not get lost on your first visit.
Arabia Mountain Junior Ranger Program
Let the kids up to age 12 pick up an Arabia Mountain Junior Ranger packet at these locations. It’ll take you all over the area and give you new destinations to explore.
Geocache at Arabia Mountain
Another option for keeping kids engaged at Arabia Mountain is by adding geocaching. There are lots of geocaches in the area! Download the free Geocache app, hand it to the kids, and let them guide over for the treasure hunt.
What is Near Arabia Mountain?
- Aware Wildlife Center shares the same parking lot and is open on weekends. Come here to meet some native rescued wildlife and learn about their care.
- Monastery of the Holy Spirit – An active monastery surrounded by 2,000 acres of history, reflection, and nature for you to explore.
- Don’t stop with Arabia Mountain. Aim to get a triple monadnock by also hiking Stone Mountain and Panola Mountain.
Thanks for stopping by my little corner! Here’s to your next adventure.
I’m Bobbie. As transplants from Texas, my family of six is on a mission to discover all of Georgia’s amazing places, experience amazing road trips across the United States, and create a homeschool life along the way.
Want to adventure like me? Reach out! I’d love to chat. Stop by my Instagram or Pinterest page to discover more of our adventures.
Want to work with me? I’d love to work with your destination and tourism board to help other family travelers see all you have to offer.
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