Ecology
Park Maps and Brochures:
Upcoming Events:
The park will be over capacity every weekend it is not rainy or cold. We have a limited amount of parking and once it fills, cars will only be let in as space allows. Once inside the park you can expect a wait for a parking space. Hikers can easily avoid this by visiting our yadkin river section or corridor trail parking. Visitors whose goal is a scenic drive only will be better served to visit the blue ridge parkway, as there is no through traffic possible when we fill up.
We encourage visitors that can visit during the week to do so, or arrive early.
You can check the parks traffic status by using the app "Waze". We also post warning signage near the park entrance.
No drones, UAV's, flying machines, or RC aircraft are allowed at Pilot Mountain State Park. Drones also cannot be launched from the state road or US highway outside the front gate.
Posted on: Saturday, February 18, 2017 - 7:24amThe creek crossing on the bridle trail near Stony Ridge Road is closed due to the trail being washed out. Parking and riding the trail is possible at either end of the trail and the trail is opened for riding approximately 3 miles in either direction.
Posted on: Wednesday, June 21, 2017 - 1:17pmGet plant and animal checklists at the park office.
The vegetation in the park is similar to that found in mountain habitats such as those in the Blue Ridge Mountains. More than 70 families of vascular plants grow on and around Pilot Mountain. In late spring, the Big Pinnacle is ringed with the bright pink blooms of Catawba rhododendron. Also abundant is mountain laurel, distinguished by its leathery evergreen leaves and showy clusters of white flowers. Typical trees include the chestnut oak, table mountain pine and pitch pine. Wild blueberry, huckleberry and grape can be spotted along the trails.
Listen as American toads, chorus frogs and spring peepers call from nearby pools. Numerous songbirds including the eastern bluebird, Carolina wren, brown thrasher and various warblers supply the woods with music. Watch for ravens soaring above Big Pinnacle. The raven and the pileated woodpecker are two of the rarer birds of Pilot Mountain. Other wildlife in the park includes red and gray fox, white-tailed deer, woodchuck, opossum, gray squirrel, raccoon, and several species of reptiles and amphibians.
Pilot Mountain State Park
The Mountain Section:
March to November : Opens at 7am, Closes at Sunset.
December to February : Opens at 8am, Closes at Sunset.
Campers only may enter the mountain section until the following times:
March,April, October- 9pm
May-September- 10pm
November- 8pm
Yadkin River Section:
November to February: 8:30am - 5pm
March, April: 8:30am - 7pm
May, June, July, August, September: 8:30am - 8pm
October: 8:30am - 7pm
Please note the North and South River Sections are 10 and 20 miles from the mountain section of the park and have different operating hours. Gates are locked promptly at closing. There is no gate entry before or after hours, including campgrounds, except in case of medical or law enforcement emergency. No vehicles other than those registered to campers may be left in the park overnight.
Park Office
8am - 4:30pm 7 days a week
The park is closed Christmas Day