Pilot Mountain State Park

Facts & Figures

Address: 1792 Pilot Knob Park Rd., Pinnacle, NC 27043

County: Surry and Yadkin

Size: 3,872 acres

Hours: Open daily from 7:00am to 6:00pm

Phone: (336) 325-2355

Website: https://www.ncparks.gov/pilot-mountain-state-park/home

Management: North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, Division of Parks & Recreation

Activities/Amenities:

• Camping
• Hiking
• Horseback Riding
• Paddling
• Picnic Shelters/Tables
• Rock Climbing/Rappelling
• Sightseeing

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Overview

Pilot Mountain has been a prominent landmark of North Carolina, with the summit rising more than 2,000 feet. Its rock outcroppings that appear as a “dome” rising out of the mountains create a unique feature that can be seen from miles away. Pilot Mountain State Park offers an array of activities, including camping, hiking, padding, rock climbing, and sightseeing. With a park access switchback road that makes its way to the summit, it provides a spectacular experience for all abilities and ages. Whether you’re stopping briefly for the scenic overlook, spending a few hours hiking loop trails around the top, or camping out for the weekend, Pilot Mountain State Park will not disappoint.

Our Experience

Although we had driven by Pilot Mountain for years on our way from Northeast Ohio to North Carolina and back for vacations at the beach and to visit family for New Year’s, we didn’t find out that Pilot Mountain was a State Park and that you could drive a vehicle to the summit until the fall of 2010. During a trip in October on our way down to Charlotte to watch the Bank of America 500 NASCAR race, we decided to make a brief stop at Pilot Mountain State Park and drove up to the summit, and boy was it a treat!

The view from the overlook is absolutely spectacular. You can see for miles! In addition to the overlook, a variety of hiking trails of varying difficulty levels are scattered throughout the park, providing miles of trails for hikers. A family campground is also available for those who want to camp out for the weekend. For the most adventurous, rock climbing and rappelling are available by permit through the State Park. For those wanting to try rock climbing at Pilot Mountain, check with your local REI store for scheduled trips.

Since our first trip to the summit of Pilot Mountain, I have made a handful of trips over the past six years since living here in North Carolina. I have had the opportunity to top rope rock climb and hike the loop trails around the top of the mountain. Pilot Mountain State Park remains one of my favorite destinations here in North Carolina.