Trails
Park Maps and Brochures:
Upcoming Events:
Saturday, September 23, 2017 - 6:00pm
Sunday, September 24, 2017 - 9:30am
Sunday, September 24, 2017 - 11:00am
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 Campground Host Needed
Pilot Mountain State Park is looking to fill the volunteer campground host position immediately through November 2017.
Full RV hookups are provided free of charge.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities:
•Register family campers, which involves filling out a permit and collecting payment.
•Provide information on the park and rules to campers.
•Clean campsites by removing grill ashes and blowing off driveways as needed.
•Be present in the campground between closing and opening hours for camper assistance, except for days off.
Contact Dylan Joyce at dylan.joyce@ncparks.gov or 336-325-2355 for more information
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.
MOUNTAIN TRAIL
Location: Surry Line Road or connects to Grindstone Trail
Description: This trail heads in a southeast direction down the mountain with very noticeable vegetation
change as the elevation changes. It ends at the start of the Corridor Trail (Surry Line Road).
It connects to the Grindstone Trail to complete a 6 mile loop.
Point of Interest:
Length:
4.50 miles
One-way
4.50 miles
One-way
Difficulty:
Strenuous
Strenuous
Blaze:
Red Dots
Red Dots
MOUNTAINS TO SEA TRAIL
Location: North River Section - south end of Corridor Trail
Description: The Mountains to Sea Trail passes through the park on the Corridor, Mountain, Grindstone and
Grassy Ridge Trails. The Mountains to Sea Trail enters the park on the southern end of the
Corridor Trail in the west and leaves via the privately owned Sauratown Trail to the east.
You may find current information about the Mountains to the Sea Trail at www.ncmst.org
Point of Interest:
Length:
One-way
One-way
Difficulty:
Blaze:
White Circles
White Circles
Surface: Natural surface
Pilot Mountain Track Trail
Location:
Description: The Pilot Mountain State Park TRACK Trail follows the Sassafras Trail. This moderate 0.3 mile trail offers scenic views of the pilot mountain pinnacle and vistas of the surrounding mountains, while leading hikers through a unique fire-based forest ecosystem.
Point of Interest:
Length:
0.30 miles
One-way
0.30 miles
One-way
Difficulty:
Moderate
Moderate
Blaze:
YADKIN ISLANDS TRAIL
Location: North River Section - Corridor Parking Lot on Hauser Road
Description: This trail at the Parking Lot or Corridor Parking Lot on Hauser Road. You cross the Yadkin
River and then weave around both islands. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO FORD RIVER IF YOU CANNOT
SEE THE BOTTOM. CROSS FORDS AT YOUR OWN RISK.
Point of Interest:
Length:
1.50 miles
One-way
1.50 miles
One-way
Difficulty:
Moderate
Moderate
Blaze:
White Triangles
White Triangles
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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