Trails
Park Maps and Brochures:
Upcoming Events:
Saturday, August 31, 2019 - 2:00pm
Saturday, September 7, 2019 - 8:00am
Sunday, September 8, 2019 - 10:00am
Bridle Trails Closed
The bridle trails will remain closed due to excess rain and wet weather. The trails will be reopened when sufficient drying has occurred. Hiking on the corridor trail is still acceptable during this time; however, stream crossings may rise to levels making crossing more difficult.
Last updated on: Saturday, August 24, 2019Trails
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.
Pilot Creek Trail
Location: Mountain section – Boyd Nelson Road
Description:
This trail starts at Boyd Nelson Road and ends at the family campground, where you can connect to the Grindstone and Mountain Trail to make a long loop around the mountain. The trail crosses tributaries of Pilot Creek and ascends through pine oak/heath forest to the campground. This trail was built by the friends group, Friends of Sauratown Mountains, at no cost to the park. A parking lot is located on Boyd Nelson Road. Parking at the campground is prohibited.
Surface: natural surface
Length:
3.30 miles
one way
3.30 miles
one way
Difficulty:
moderate
moderate
Blaze:
orange dots
orange dots
Pilot Mountain Kids TRACK Trail
Location: Mountain section - upper summit parking lot
Description:
This trail offers scenic views of Pilot Mountain pinnacle and vistas of the surrounding mountains, leading hikers through a unique fire-based forest ecosystem. Trail has activities for children. Trail starts at the upper side of summit parking area behind the restroom.
Surface: natural surface
Length:
0.30 miles
one way
0.30 miles
one way
Difficulty:
moderate
moderate
Blaze:
TRACK trail markers
TRACK trail markers
Yadkin Islands Trail
Location: River section - Bean Shoals access
Description:
This trail begins at the Hauser Road parking lot and ends at the Yadkin River. You may cross the river at your own risk to explore the islands in the river, which are unmarked/unblazed.
Do not attempt to cross the river if you cannot see the bottom.
Surface: natural surface
Length:
1.50 miles
one way
1.50 miles
one way
Difficulty:
moderate
moderate
Blaze:
white triangles
white triangles
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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