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With family and friends visiting from out of town, the holiday season is the perfect time to bring people to the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area. Here’s a list of fun sites and cool spots to check out as the holidays get going:  1. Go for a hike at Arabia Mountain! Walk off some of […]

The rare and beautiful landscapes in the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area contain some species found almost nowhere else on earth – plants that thrive in the extreme environments of the granite outcrop. These plants have evolved to survive the baking heat of summer and the parched conditions of the thin soil and exposed stone, […]

Southeast of Arabia Mountain, the National Heritage Area’s other, slightly younger monadnock rises – Panola Mountain. This mountain formed 300 million years ago and today is a major part of this nationally significant landscape. In fact, Panola Mountain is considered a National Natural Landmark.  So what’s a National Natural Landmark, and why is Panola Mountain […]

Located in once-rural DeKalb County, the Lyon Farm stands today as a reminder of the area’s history and a glimpse into the agricultural lifestyle that once dominated the county. It also is key to the history of Flat Rock, one of the oldest African-American communities in Georgia: people were enslaved at the site prior to […]

We’re excited to be starting a new tradition here: Spiderling Watch. A female Black & Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope sp.) has made her home at our back door for the past few months, laying multiple large egg sacs. These sacs are filled with thousands of baby spiders (“spiderlings”) which will grow throughout the winter and […]

Throughout the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area, there’s hidden life all around your feet. Listen to Ranger Robby Astrove break down how to hike and protect the rare plants of the AMNHA! We have a variety of beautiful plants found almost nowhere else on earth living on Panola Mountain, which is a designated National Natural […]

Forming the southeastern corner of the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area, the Monastery of the Holy Spirit is a Cistercian monastery where monks live in peace and contemplation. (Take note – you can tour the Monastery with one of the monks themselves on one of our Highlights & Insights Tours!) Get a taste of this […]

Are you photography fan, a casual shooter or a professional shutterbug? The National Heritage Area is photo-ready throughout the year, with gorgeous landscapes and iconic historic sites to enjoy. Some spots require a permit for certain photoshoots, though, and that can be confusing. Luckily, we’ve compiled answers to our most commonly asked questions below! If […]

Before Arabia Mountain was a beloved nature preserve, it was owned by the quarry industry. The Davidson family had a massive granite quarry operation in and around Lithonia, including Arabia Mountain. At one point, the quarry was one of the largest in the world. While the granite in other properties were carved and blasted away, […]

Flat Rock is one of the oldest African-American communities in Georgia, with a history of resilience that stretches back over 150 years. Here are some fast facts to introduce you to this historically significant community: Comedian Chris Tucker and former NFL Quarterback Warren Moon are descendants of the Flat Rock community. One of Flat Rock’s […]