Ecology

** FACILITIES AND PARKING ARE LIMITED. NO ROAD SHOULDER PARKING IS ALLOWED. **

WEEKEND/HOLIDAY SHUTTLE
The Pilot Mountain shuttle starts running from 10:00am to 6:00pm every Saturday, Sunday and state holidays until the day after Thanksgiving.
The summit (upper) parking area will be allowed to fill from 7:00am to 10:00am. At that point, the shuttle will take over for all uphill vehicle traffic.  The shuttle has a capacity of 22 people with one wheelchair lift. Passengers will be asked to wear masks and the vehicle will be disinfected after each trip.
All uphill traffic already in the park can leave freely, but no more incoming vehicle traffic will occur between 10:00am and 6:00pm past the new visitor center. This still leaves the road completely open to all car traffic 7:00am to 10:00am and 6:00pm to 9:00pm on weekends and holidays, and every weekday from 7:00am to 9:00pm.
If visitors want to order tickets in advance, they may do so at https://promo.parking.com/charlotte-pilot-mountain-shuttle/ or they can order on-site via credit card or the Parking.com app. No cash transactions. Ordering tickets in advance guarantees a ride, not a specific time. 
The shuttle leaves from the bus stop in front of the new visitor center. Turn left at the roundabout and park at the visitor center.  Under COVID phase 2.5 the visitor center gift shop and exhibit hall are open with a max capacity of 25 people. Bathrooms are open and available.
The fare is $5.00 for adults, kids 13 and under ride free. The fare for a one-way trip up or down is $2.50. Last trip down is 6:15 pm.
Visitors who arrive after the summit lot is full will have the option of either riding the shuttle from the new visitor center, or parking at the new visitor center and hiking the trails up, or visiting one of the other parking areas across the park at remote trailheads.

PARKING
Open parking areas have limited capacity. Parking on road shoulders is prohibited. If you arrive and a parking area is full, consider that area closed. When parking lots fill, there will be no waiting in line to get in.
Visitor Center parking – 200 cars – (Grindstone Trail, Grassy Ridge Trail, Mountain Trail)
Old Park Office parking  – 30 cars
Summit (upper) parking  –  90 cars – (Jomeokee Trail, overlooks, Ledge Springs Trail)
Use the following lots if you want to skip the crowds and get a longer hike, or visit the Yadkin River:
Pinnacle Hotel Road – 50 cars  134 Culler Road, Pinnacle NC – (Leads to the Mountain Trail and Corridor Trail, and Grassy Ridge Trail)
Pilot Creek Trailhead – 15 cars  382 Boyd Nelson Road, Pinnacle NC – (Leads to the Pilot Creek Trail)
Bean Shoals/Hauser Road – 40 cars  622 Hauser Road, Pinnacle NC – (Leads to the southern Corridor Trail, Horne Creek Trail, Canal Trail)
Ivy Bluffs Trailhead – 20 cars  4240 Shoals Road, East Bend, NC – (Leads to the Ivy Bluffs Trail)
Ivy Bluffs canoe launch – 10 cars  4454 Shoals Road, East Bend NC – (Leads to the Yadkin River paddle trail)

RESTROOMS, VISITOR CENTER: Under COVID phase 2.5 the new visitor center gift shop and exhibit hall are open with a max capacity of 25 people. Bathrooms are open and available.

CAMPGROUND: Campground is closed through at least October 15 due to lightning damage to the sewer system.

FACE COVERINGS: Face coverings are required to be worn when in public places, indoors or outdoors, where physical distancing of 6 feet from other people who aren’t in the same household or residence isn’t possible, unless an exception applies. Face coverings are required to utilize the shuttle, visit the gift shop or visitor center exhibit hall.

Please note that this alert is updated only when something changes. Generally, state parks are following the phased reopening statewide. As of September 11, we are following the new guidelines under phase 2.5.