Trails
Park Maps and Brochures:
Upcoming Events:
Sunday, September 10, 2017 - 12:30pm
Sunday, September 24, 2017 - 11:00am
Friday, October 6, 2017 - 10:00am
Expect Delays for parking at the Mountain on weekends
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 - 7:24am Creek crossing closure...
The 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 - 1:17pm BRIDLE/HORSE RIDING TRAIL CLOSED
The Bridle/Horse Riding Trail is closed due to wet conditions. This alert will be removed when it reopens.
Posted on: Sunday, August 13, 2017 - 8:56amTrails
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: North Shore of Yadkin River
Description: A moderately sloped trail on the north shore of the of the
Yadkin river that begins at the turnaround parking area.
This trail weaves along a railroad trestle, as well as along
the ruins of the unfinished Bean Shoals Canal. (Note: The
railroad track is still active. Use extreme caution when crossing).
Point of Interest:
Length:
0.50 miles
One-way
0.50 miles
One-way
Difficulty:
Easy
Easy
Blaze:
Red Dots
Red Dots
CORRIDOR/BRIDLE TRAIL
Location: Surry Line Road or Pinnacle Hotel Road (North end), or Hauser Road (South end)
Description: This moderately sloped hiking and bridle trail meanders through pine and hardwood forests connecting
the mountain and river sections of Pilot Mountain State Park. It then links into the Yadkin Islands Trail,
which continues to the River Parking Lot. *Horses may only be unloaded and trailers parked at the lots
on each end of the Corridor and East Bend Parking Lots. Note: Horse and rider please remain on marked
bridle trail. No horses may cross the Yadkin Valley Railroad.
Point of Interest:
Length:
6.60 miles
One-way
6.60 miles
One-way
Difficulty:
Strenuous
Strenuous
Blaze:
White Triangles
White Triangles
GRASSY RIDGE TRAIL
Location: Across from Park Office or Surry Line Road
Description: A moderate trail that begins across from the park office. Trail hikes to the Corridor/Bridle Trail
Parking Lot located on Surry Line Road in Pinnacle. It wanders through lowland pine and
hardwood forests crossing meandering streams with ample seasonal wildflower displays.
Point of Interest:
Length:
1.75 miles
One-way
1.75 miles
One-way
Difficulty:
Moderate
Moderate
Blaze:
White Triangles
White Triangles
GRINDSTONE TRAIL
Location: Across the road from the Park Office or Summit Parking Lot
Description: A moderately sloped trail that hikes through the woods to the summit. Parking for this trail
is available at the park office. Trail will start across the road from the park office and is to the right.
Trail continues up through the woods to a rock building where you will then cross the main park road
and hike out past the campground. Trail continues between campsites 16 & 17 where it hikes up the
mountain through the woods to the summit. Trail parallels with the Ledge Spring Trail the last ¼ mile.
Please use caution: follow trail past picnic area to the first junction. Trail is to the right. Vegetation on
this trail changes slightly with elevation.
Point of Interest:
Length:
3.00 miles
One-way
3.00 miles
One-way
Difficulty:
Strenuous
Strenuous
Blaze:
Blue Dots
Blue Dots
HORNE CREEK TRAIL
Location: North River Section along Horne Creek
Description: This moderately sloped hiking trail begins at the picnic area in the (North Side Surry County
Side) and meanders along Horne Creek with many varieties of spring wildflower and meets
the Bean Shoals Canal Trail along the river. You can make a loop by returning to the picnic
area on the park road.
Point of Interest:
Length:
2.50 miles
One-way
2.50 miles
One-way
Difficulty:
Moderate
Moderate
Blaze:
Contact:
Pilot Mountain State Park
1792 Pilot Knob Park Road
Pinnacle, NC 27043Phone336-325-2355
pilot.mountain@ncparks.gov, prescribed fire info page: http://pilotmountainstatepark.tumblr.com/
Latitude: 36.341276
Longitude: -80.462930
Park Hours:
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