COVID-19 information for parks (Updated 2/26/2021)
Posted on: Friday, February 26, 2021 - 2:37pm |
Public input needed for new website redesign
Posted on: Tuesday, March 2, 2021 - 2:20pm |
Camping

March - November on weekends and holidays you may drive the road to the summit when the park opens until the road closes to uphill traffic. A shuttle service will be on site to transport visitors from the visitor center to the summit lot and back. https://www.ncparks.gov/pilot-mountain-state-park/home#notices
Last updated on: Saturday, March 6, 2021PARKING
If you arrive and a parking lot is full, that area is closed to further traffic. Waiting in line is not permitted. Parking on road shoulders is prohibited. To avoid crowds, please plan your visit on a weekday.
If the road to the summit is closed to uphill traffic, you may park at the new visitor center or visit another park access area. Learn more information about parking areas and alternate locations nearby that you can visit when the park is full »
SHUTTLE
March- November on weekends and holidays you may drive the road to the summit when the park opens until the road closes to uphill traffic. A shuttle service will be on site to transport visitors to the summit lot and back. https://ncparks.gov/pilot-mountain-state-park/home#notices
VISITOR CENTER:
The visitor center gift shop and exhibit hall are open with a max capacity of 25 people. Restrooms are open at the new visitor center in the breezeway and at the summit parking lot.
CAMPGROUND:
Family Campground season is March 15th-November 30th. Reservations may be made by calling ReserveAmerica at 1-877-722-6762 during call center hours or online through ReserveAmerica until 9 pm on the day of arrival.
FACE COVERINGS
Masks are required to visit the gift shop and exhibit hall in the visitor center. Masks are required on trails if you are within 6 feet of anyone not from your household. Please wear a mask over nose and mouth when required. Park Rangers may write citations for failure to follow an executive order if individuals refuse to wear a mask when required.
Please note that this alert is updated only when something changes. Generally, state parks are following the phased reopening statewide.
Last updated on: Thursday, March 4, 2021Contact the park
336-444-5100
pilot.mountain@ncparks.gov
Addresses
Mountain section
and visitor center
1792 Pilot Knob Park Road
Pinnacle, NC 27043
GPS: 36.3412, -80.4629
Pinnacle Hotel Road/
Culler Road parking
134 Culler Road
Pinnacle, NC 27043
GPS: 36.3280, -80.4631
Hauser Road parking
622 Hauser Road
Pinnacle, NC 27043
GPS: 36.2675, -80.4958
Pilot Creek access
382 Boyd Nelson Road
Pinnacle, NC 27043
GPS: 36.3587, -80.4933
Bean Shoals access
103 Yadkin River Park Trail
Pinnacle, NC 27043
GPS: 36.2647, -80.4878
Ivy Bluff access
4240 Shoals Road
East Bend, NC 27018
GPS: 36.2537, -80.5087
Shoals fishing area
and paddle access
4454 Shoals Road
East Bend, NC 27018
GPS: 36.2574, -80.5171
Hours
►
- December to February:
8:00am to 6:00pm
- March 1 to March 14:
8:00am to 8:00pm
- March 15 to April:
7:00am to 8:00pm
- May to September:
7:00am to 9:00pm
- October:
7:00am to 8:00pm
- November:
7:00am to 6:00pm
- Closed Christmas Day
►
- November to February:
8:30am to 5:00pm
- March to April:
8:30am to 7:00pm
- May to September:
8:30am to 8:00pm
- October:
8:30am to 7:00pm
- Closed Christmas Day
►
- March to April:
7:00am to 9:00pm
- May to September:
7:00am to 10:00pm
- October:
7:00am to 9:00pm
- November:
7:00am to 8:00pm
- Closed Christmas Day
- Gates are locked promptly at closing. There is no gate entry before or after hours, except in the case of a medical or law enforcement emergency. No vehicles other than those registered to campers may be left in the park overnight.
►
- October to February:
Open daily:
8:00am to 4:00pm
- March to September:
Open daily:
9:00am to 5:00pm
- Closed Christmas Day
Camping
Reservations
Find and book a campsite or facility online
Or make your reservation at 1-877-722-6762
Available camping facilities
► Tent and trailer camping
The lower slopes of Pilot Mountain house the family camping area where 42 campsites for tents and trailers are scattered among oaks and hickories.
Each site has a tent pad, table, and fire pit/grill. Drinking water is available throughout the campground, and two bathhouses with hot showers are located nearby.
Some campsites can accommodate RVs. There are no hookups or dump station provided. Please visit the reservations website for more information about the driveway length of each campsite.
The campground host sells firewood. Gathering wood in the park is prohibited.
No more than six people are allowed to occupy a campsite. The camping area is open from March 15 to November 30.
Please review the important information below regarding check in.
► Paddle-in camping
Two paddle-in campsites are located at the Ivy Bluffs access on the south bank of Yadkin River. Reservations are required to use these campsites.
There is no water or toilet facilities at these campsites. You must bring your own water and pack out all trash and waste.
Camping is allowed only in designated areas. Camping is prohibited on the Yadkin River Islands.
The nearest boat access upstream from the campsite is located at the Shoals fishing and boating access, at 4454 Shoals Road, East Bend, NC 27018. The paddle from this access is about 1 mile. As of March 15, 2021, the next downstream boat access at Donnaha Park is closed until Fall 2023. Please plan accordingly.
Important information
Check-in and check-out times
Check-in at Pilot Mountain State Park is 4:00pm and check-out is at 3:00pm.
Some parks can accommodate early check-in or late check-out, depending on the reservation schedule and site availability. Please contact the park to make such arrangements: pilot.mountain@ncparks.gov or 336-444-5100.
For the tent and trailer campsites: Check in at the visitor center if you arrive at the park prior to 5:00pm. After 5:00pm, proceed to the campground and check in with the campground host at site #36.
Due to traffic rules implement on weekends and holidays, access to the campground may be limited when the road past the traffic circle is closed to uphill traffic. If you arrive prior to 5:00pm, check in at the visitor center to receive instructions on how to access the campground. If you arrive after 5:00pm and the road is closed, please go to the visitor center and call the number posted outside to receive instructions. If the road is open, you may proceed to the campground and check in with the host at site #36.
Amenities
Not all campsites have identical amenities. Read the campsite information on the reservations website to see photos of campsites; check availability and fees; find out whether a specific site is wheelchair accessible, has access to water, bathhouses or pit toilets, or has RV hookups; and learn other important information.
Gate access
Park gates are closed and locked at posted closing times for your protection. There will be no exiting or entering the gates after the closing time. All visitors who are not spending the night need to be out by closing time.
If you leave the park and do not return before closing time, you will not be able to re-enter. Check with the park during office hours for the after-hours emergency phone number. Please notify the campground host for emergencies only.
For paddle-in campers, the Shoals boating and canoe access is open 24 hours.
Changes and cancellations
You can now cancel reservations online by logging into your account on the reservations website. Please note that there is a $6 fee per night to cancel a reservation. The fees will be deducted from your refund.
If you need to make changes to your reservation, please call the reservations number at 1-877-722-6762. You cannot switch dates, campsites, or parks using your account online — you will be charged the cancellation fees, even if you book a new site.
In the event of a closure for a campsite, campground or the entire park, you will be contacted automatically by the reservations system to cancel or change your reservation. You will receive a full refund for cancellations due to park closures.
Camping rates per night
Campsite type |
Nightly rate |
Tent and trailer campsite |
$26 |
Primitive campsite
|
$15 |
all rates listed above include $3 reservation fee
Park Maps and Brochures: