Trails
1792 Pilot Knob Park Road
Pinnacle, NC 27043
336-325-2355
pilot.mountain@ncparks.gov
- December to February:
8:00am to 6:00pm
- March 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
*PLEASE NOTE: Gates are locked promptly at closing. There is no gate entry before or after hours, including campgrounds, 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.
- 8:00am to 4:30pm – daily
- Closed Christmas Day
North River Section Bean Shoals Access...
Due to wet conditions the North River Section Bean Shoals Access road is closed. Trails remain open to hiking. Vehicles blocking gates or obstructing traffic are subject to being towed.
Bridle trails/Corridor lots closed
Due to wet conditions Bridle trails and Corridor parking lots are closed. Corridor trail remains open to hiking. Vehicles blocking gates or obstructing traffic are subject to being towed.
CLIMBERS AND GRINDSTONE HIKERS! READ ME!
As part of a erosion control effort and to reduce visitor use conflicts, the upper part of the Grindstone Trail below the summit parking lot has been rerouted, effective immediately.
Hikers- The new Grindstone trail starts next to the picnic area, then leads downhill 1 mile to the Ledge Springs Trail. The blazes remain blue and the total trail distance is still 3 miles one way ending at the park office. It remains a better hike to start the Grindstone Trail from the park office. The Ledge Springs trail is now only the lower trail below the cliff line, it does not parallel the Grindstone at any point.
Climbers- The approach to the routes has changed. Temporary signage is in place while permanent signage has been ordered.
For top rope access to Chickenbone/Parking lot area: The access remains the same (the climber gate just below the registration kiosk). To access the bottom of the cliff, follow the Jomeokee trail (behind bathroom) to its first right hand turn to walk to the bottom of Chickenbone.
For all other routes and areas: Use the new grindstone trail adjacent to the new picnic area. Follow the blue blazed Grindstone Trail downhill to the new shortcut trail to 3 Bears Gully. Access all routes uphill of 3 Bears - such as the Big Arete, Amphitheatre, Black Rain etc. by walking uphill from the midway point of 3 Bears Gully.
A map of the new trail route is linked here: https://files.nc.gov/ncparks/maps-and-brochures/pilot-mountain-state-park-climbing-accesses-map.pdf
Also linked from the front page of our website as the climbing map
Last updated on: Sunday, January 12, 2020List of trails
Journey on foot, on horseback or in a canoe. No matter what your mode of travel, Pilot Mountain has miles of trails to explore. Little Pinnacle Overlook offers hikers a close-up view of Big Pinnacle and distant views of the valley below. Equestrians and hikers alike will relish the trails through the six-mile woodland corridor that connects the two sections of the park. Cliffs and crevices, ravens, and rhododendron are only a small part of the scenery to be discovered. For more information about the trails, see the park map. All visitors with horses must be able to provide proof of a negative equine infectious anemia (Coggins) test while visiting North Carolina State Parks. Horse rentals not available.
See the Equestrian Trails Closure Policy.
Bean Shoals Canal Trail
Location: River section – Bean Shoals access
Description:
A moderately sloped trail on the north shore of the Yadkin River that begins at the turnaround parking area. Turning right when you reach the river, this trail weaves a railroad trestle, as well as along the ruins of the unfinished Bean Shoals Canal. Note: The railroad track is active. Use extreme caution when crossing.
Surface: natural surface
Length:
0.50 miles
one way
0.50 miles
one way
Difficulty:
easy hike
easy hike
Blaze:
red dots
red dots
Corridor Trail
Location: Mountain section – Pinnacle Hotel Road or river section – Hauser Road
Description:
This moderately sloped hiking and bridle trail meanders through pine and hardwood forests connecting the mountain section and river section of Pilot Mountain State Park. Parking lots for this trail are located at Hauser Road and Pinnacle Hotel Road.
Note: Horse and rider must remain on marked bridle trail. No horses may cross the Yadkin Valley Railroad. Horses may only be unloaded and trailers parked in the lots located at each end of the Corridor Trail (Hauser Road and Pinnacle Hotel Road parking lots).
Surface: natural surface
Length:
6.60 miles
one way
6.60 miles
one way
Difficulty:
strenuous hike
strenuous hike
Blaze:
white triangles
white triangles
Grindstone Trail
Location: Mountain section - park office or upper summit parking lot
Description:
A moderately sloped trail through the woods to the summit parking area. The trail starts across the road from the park office at the kiosk. The trail continues up through the woods to a rock building, where you will cross the main park road and hike out past the campground, where the trail climbs the mountain through the woods to the summit. The trail ends at the summit picnic area. Vegetation on this trail changes with elevation. Parking for this trail is at the park office.
Surface: natural surface
Length:
3.00 miles
one way
3.00 miles
one way
Difficulty:
strenuous hike
strenuous hike
Blaze:
blue dots
blue dots
Horne Creek Trail
Location: River section – Bean Shoals access
Description:
This moderately sloped hiking trail begins at the picnic area and meanders along Horne Creek, where many varieties of spring wildflowers can be found. The trail then closely follows the Yadkin River until it meets up with the Bean Shoals Canal Trail. You can make a 3.5-mile loop by returning to the picnic area on the park road.
Surface: natural surface
Length:
2.50 miles
one way
2.50 miles
one way
Difficulty:
moderate hike
moderate hike
Blaze:
blue dots
blue dots
Ivy Bluff Trail
Location: River section – Ivy Bluff access
Description:
This trail has moderate to steep slopes covered with mountain laurel and rhododendron along the south edge of the Yadkin River. Trail begins at the Ivy Bluff parking lot.
Surface: natural surface
Length:
1.30 miles
one way
1.30 miles
one way
Difficulty:
moderate hike
moderate hike
Blaze:
red dots
red dots
Park Maps and Brochures:
Upcoming Events:
Saturday, February 15, 2020 - 6:00pm
Sunday, March 1, 2020 - 10:00am
Wednesday, March 4, 2020 - 12:00pm