Field Notes

Every year, we celebrate the three major Atlanta-area monadnocks – Arabia Mountain, Panola Mountain and Stone Mountain – with a month long series of events called Monadnock Madness. This outdoor extravaganza includes mountaintop yoga, photography workshops, and the Triple Hike Challenge, in which hikers summit all three monadnocks in one day.

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. Go for a hike at Arabia Mountain! Walk off some of that Thanksgiving turkey with a trek to the top of the mountain and catch some stunning views. If you’re in the mood for some historic discovery, head to downtown Decatur for the Deep Roots in DeKalb exhibit at the DeKalb History Center. There, you’ll see artifacts and stories from Flat Rock, one of the oldest African-American communities in Georgia. 

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

On Sunday, September 22nd, hikers conquered three mountains and saw dozens of blooming yellow daisies. The second annual Daisy Days Triple Hike began at Stone Mountain (the largest of the […]