Camping
Available Camping Facilities
The lower slopes of Pilot Mountain house the camping area where 42 campsites for tents and trailers are scattered among oaks and hickories. The camping area is open from March 15 to November 30.
Each site has a tent pad, table, and fire pit/grill. Drinking water is available throughout the campground, and two bathhouses with hot showers are located nearby.
Some campsites can accommodate RVs. There are no hookups or dump station provided. Please visit ReserveAmerica for more information about the driveway length of each campsite.
The campground host, located at Campsite 36, sells firewood. Gathering wood in the park is prohibited.
No more than six people are allowed to occupy a campsite. Tents must fit on the tent pad. Tent pad sizes vary. Check site details on ReserveAmerica to determine available space.
From U.S. 52, take exit 131 and follow the brown signs. At the traffic circle, take the first exit to stay on Pilot Knob Park Road. In 0.3 miles, turn right onto Family Campground Lane.
Two paddle-in campsites are located at the Ivy Bluffs access on the south bank of the Yadkin River. Reservations are required to use these campsites. These sites are open year-round.
There is no potable water at these campsites. You must bring your own water and pack out all trash.
Camping is allowed only in designated areas. Camping is prohibited on the Yadkin River Islands.
The nearest paddle access upstream from the campsite is located at the Shoals fishing and boating access, at 4454 Shoals Road, East Bend, NC 27018. From there, the distance to paddle is 0.75 mile or you can carry your supplies on a 0.5-mile hike. Campers cannot drive into the site.
No more than eight people are allowed to occupy a paddle-in campsite.
The Yadkin River section of the park is located about 20 driving miles south of the Mountain section.
Important Information
Check-In and Check-Out Times
Check-in at all state parks is 3 p.m. and check-out is 12 p.m.
Tent and trailer campers: If the road is open past the traffic circle, proceed to the campground and check in with the host at Campsite 36. If the road is closed, you may check in at the visitor center.
Paddle-in campers: Do not come to the visitor center to check in. Proceed directly to the river section.
The park can accommodate early check-in, depending on the reservation schedule and site availability. Please contact the park to make such arrangements: pilot.mountain@ncparks.gov or (336) 444-5100. There are no late check-outs permitted at Pilot Mountain State Park.
Leave No Trace
Camp on designated sites only. Your camping equipment must be on the tent pad or within the designated limits of each site. When leaving, inspect your campsite, food preparation areas, and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter.
Burn all woods and coals to ash. Put out campfires completely before you leave, then scatter cool ashes.
Learn About the Seven Principles
Amenities
Not all campsites have identical amenities. Read the campsite information on ReserveAmerica to see photos of campsites; check availability and fees; find out whether a specific site is wheelchair accessible, has access to water, bathhouses, or pit toilets, or has RV hookups; and learn other important information.
Gate Access
Park gates are closed and locked at posted closing times for your protection. There will be no exiting or entering the gates after the posted closing time. The combination will not be given out to visitors. All visitors who are not spending the night need to be out by closing time. Vehicles left overnight must have a camping tag.
If you leave the park and do not return before closing time, you will not be able to re-enter. Check with the park during office hours for the after-hours emergency phone number. Please notify the campground hosts for emergencies only.
Firewood
Firewood can be purchased at the park from the campground host at Campsite 36. Fires are permitted only in designated areas and must be tended at all times. Gathering firewood is prohibited.
Please don't transport firewood into our state parks because you could unknowingly spread dangerous insects and diseases and harm the forest. Purchase firewood locally or buy heat-treated firewood. For more information on how to have a risk-free campfire experience, please visit the Don't Move Firewood website.
Making Reservations
All North Carolina state park campgrounds are designated for recreation only. A single campsite can be reserved for a maximum of 14 consecutive nights within any 30-day period. Upon reaching that limit, a camper must vacate the park for 16 nights before returning.
Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance.
Reservations are required for paddle-in campsites. Reservations are recommended for the tent and trailer campsites, especially during the peak season.
Changes and Cancellations
You can cancel reservations online by logging into your account on ReserveAmerica. Please note that there is a $6 fee per night to cancel your reservation. The fees will be deducted from your refund.
Same-day cancellations will incur an additional charge of one night's camping. You cannot cancel a one-night reservation on the same day. Same-day cancellations can be made only by calling the reservations number at 1-877-722-6762.
Please note that cabin camping reservations must be cancelled at least 14 days prior to the scheduled arrival date. No refunds are issued after the 14-day mark, but campers may reschedule to another date and will be charged only the cancellation fees.
If you need to make changes to your reservation, please call ReserveAmerica at 1-877-722-6762. You cannot switch dates, campsites, or parks using your account online — you will be charged the cancellation fees, even if you book a new site.
In the event of a closure for a campsite, campground, or the entire park, you will be contacted automatically by ReserveAmerica to cancel or change your reservation. You will receive a full refund for cancellations due to park closures.
No refunds are issued for "no-shows," early departures, or cancellations made after the arrival date.
Camping Rates per Night
All prices listed on the page include the $3 reservation fee.
| Campsite Type | Nightly Rate |
|---|---|
| Tent and trailer campsite — at Mountain section | $30 |
| Primitive tent campsite — paddle-in campsites at Yadkin River section | $20 |
Senior Citizen and Military/Veteran Discount
Campers 62 years old or older and any veteran or active military members are eligible for a $6 discount per night on most reservations (except group campsites). When making a reservation online, check the box for the discount program to apply it to your reservation. When you check in at the park, please make sure you have a valid ID with your birthdate or proof of military service or veteran status to confirm the discounted rate.
There are no other discounts or passes for camping.
Volunteer as a Campground Host
Campground hosts "live in" the park and assist park staff in maintaining the campgrounds and in serving campers. They typically answer questions, provide directions to local amenities, and inform campers of the rules and hours of the campground. They may also help register campers when the visitor center or park office is closed for the day, or they may sell firewood.
Campground hosts serve as the point of contact between campers and on-call rangers. They would report incidents, suspicious behavior, and other situations that may need to be addressed by staff.
Campground hosts serve as volunteers, so they do not get paid. A volunteer work schedule will be arranged with the park's host coordinating ranger. Those interested in serving as campground hosts should be willing to work flexible hours and be prepared to work on weekends and holidays.
Hosts will stay on the host campsite free of charge. Campground hosts serve for 1 month.
Hosts need to be willing to learn about the operations and general information about the park and the local area, in order to effectively assist campers. They must follow and comply with all North Carolina State Parks rules and regulations.
Hosts with pets are permitted, but they must follow pet rules at all times: dogs must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet, and they must be kept in the host's vehicle during quiet hours.