In Pilot Mountain Park Explore

A well kept family camping area can be found on Pilot Mountain’s lower slopes. At present, the site include almost 50 wooded campsites that are can accommodate tents or trailers. Each campsite comes equipped with a charcoal grill, picnic table and tent pad. Modern restroom facilities with hot water and showers are located nearby.

In addition a large and more rustic youth group camping area is located in Pilot Mountain State Park’s Yadkin River Section located on the north side of the park. Please be aware that canoeists are not permitted to camp on the islands of the river. A designated canoe campsite on the bank is available by reservation by contacting the park office.

Two canoe campsites on the south bank of the river are available by permit. No water or toilet facilities are provided. You must bring your own water and pack out all trash and waste. No camping is allowed on the Yadkin River Islands or anywhere within the River Section except in designated areas by permit. This area is reserved for canoeists traveling through the park on the Yadkin River Canoe Trail. Reservations must be made in advance.

IMPORTANT: Not all campsites have identical amenities.Read the campsite information on the reservations website to preview photos of campsites; check availability and fees; and find out whether a specific site is handicap accessible; has access to water, showers, or restrooms; has electric hookup; and other important information.

Holiday booking date rules for July 4th, Labor Day and Memorial Day weekends are as follows:

• 2 nights Minimum Stay on holiday weekend (Friday/Saturday or Saturday/Sunday)
• 1 night Minimum Stay on holiday weekend if the booking dates within 7 Days before Arrival Date

Rangers hold regularly scheduled educational and interpretive programs about Pilot Mountain. Educational materials about park have been developed for grades 9-12 and are correlated to North Carolina’s competency-based curriculum in science, social studies, mathematics and English/language arts. The Pilot Mountain program introduces students to the “mountains away from the mountains” and the geologic processes that formed them. Accompanying the program is a teacher’s booklet and workshop, free of charge to educators.

Each state park and recreation area has an EELE (environmental education learning experience) curriculum guide that includes on-site activities, pre- and post-visit activities, student information pages, worksheets, fact sheets, vocabulary, and references. Teachers can receive a free copy of an EELE by attending its corresponding workshop at a park, or they may borrow these guides through interlibrary loan at any public library in North Carolina.

Pilot Mountain State Park offers nearly 15 hiking trails ranging from easy to strenuous in difficulty. Please read about the more popular trails described below:

Grindstone Trail

Length: 3.0 miles (one way)

Difficult: Moderate to Strenuous

The Grindstone Trail is about 2 miles and starts across the street from the visitor center. The trail parallels the park road to the campground area then begins a steep climb up to the summit. In about 1.5 miles, the Mountain Trail splits to the right. In another half-mile or so, the trail intersects with Ledge Springs Trail. Bear left at the fork to stay on Grindstone/Ledge Springs Trail as it follows an old road bed to the summit. Near the top, there are great views from the tops of cliffs used by rock climbers on Ledge Springs Trail below.

Jomeokee Trail

Length: 0.8 miles (loop)

Difficulty: Moderate

The Jomeokee Trail is just under a mile and starts from the summit parking lot and forms a loop around the Big Pinnacle. Since climbing is prohibited on the Big Pinnacle, this trail is as close as you can get. The trail crosses the saddle between Big and Little Pinnacles and then splits to make a loop. Walking around the Big Pinnacle, one can see just how big the pinnacle really is.

Ledge Springs Trail

Length: 2.0 miles (loop)

Difficulty: Strenuous

The Ledge Springs Trail starts at the summit parking lot and leads down along the Grindstone Trail. About a mile or so down, the trail splits to the left and makes a steep and rocky climb back to the Jomeokee Trail. This section of the trail is popular with rock climbers, as the cliffs along here are the only place in the park where climbing is permitted. This part of the trail is strenuous as there are numerous rocks and steps to climb.

Little Pinnacle Overlook

Length: 0.1 miles (one way)

Difficulty: Easy

Little Pinnacle Overlook is a very short trail from the summit parking lot to an overlook at Little Pinnacle. The best views of the Big Pinnacle can be seen at the overlook, as well as Sauratown Mountain and Hanging Rock in the distance.

Mountain Trail

Length: 4.5 miles (one way)

Difficulty: Strenuous

The Mountain Trail begins just south of the visitor center, splitting off from Grassy Ridge Trail. The trail runs clockwise around the mountain. Near the southern end, a half-mile spur leads to the Corridor Trailhead parking. The trail continues from here around the mountain, gradually gaining in elevation. The other end of the trail is at the intersection with Grindstone Trail. Continuing on Grindstone Trail provides a loop leading completely around the mountain.

camping
A well kept family camping area can be found on Pilot Mountain’s lower slopes. At present, the site include almost 50 wooded campsites that are can accommodate tents or trailers. Each campsite comes equipped with a charcoal grill, picnic table and tent pad. Modern restroom facilities with hot water and showers are located nearby.

In addition a large and more rustic youth group camping area is located in Pilot Mountain State Park’s Yadkin River Section located on the north side of the park. Please be aware that canoeists are not permitted to camp on the islands of the river. A designated canoe campsite on the bank is available by reservation by contacting the park office.

Two canoe campsites on the south bank of the river are available by permit. No water or toilet facilities are provided. You must bring your own water and pack out all trash and waste. No camping is allowed on the Yadkin River Islands or anywhere within the River Section except in designated areas by permit. This area is reserved for canoeists traveling through the park on the Yadkin River Canoe Trail. Reservations must be made in advance.

IMPORTANT: Not all campsites have identical amenities.Read the campsite information on the reservations website to preview photos of campsites; check availability and fees; and find out whether a specific site is handicap accessible; has access to water, showers, or restrooms; has electric hookup; and other important information.

Holiday booking date rules for July 4th, Labor Day and Memorial Day weekends are as follows:

2 nights Minimum Stay on holiday weekend (Friday/Saturday or Saturday/Sunday)
1 night Minimum Stay on holiday weekend if the booking dates within 7 Days before Arrival Date
Canoeing

vs kayaking

The Yadkin River provides opportunities for visitors to the park to fish and canoe. The Yadkin River Canoe Trail is 165 mile (265 km) long and follows the course of the river to its confluence with the Uwharrie River at the Pee Dee River in south central North Carolina. Two miles of the river pass through Pilot Mountain State Park. The river is broad and shallow at the park with two islands that can be reached by canoe or by wading when the water level is low. All anglers need to have a license from the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission. The common game fish are sunfish, catfish and crappie.

ivy bluff trail horseback

Horseback Riding

Horseback riding is allowed on the following trails:

Corridor/Bridal Trail

Grassy Ridge Trails

Picnicking

There are three picnic areas at Pilot Mountain State Park. One picnic area is near the summit parking lot and two are near the Yadkin River. The area has many picnic tables and grills. No drinking water is available in this area. Pit toilets are available.

Rock Climbing

pm climbing 2

Rock climbing and rappelling are favorite activities at Pilot Mountain where rocky cliffs offer a challenge to experienced climbers. Climbing is permitted only in designated areas; climbing and rappelling are not permitted on the Big Pinnacle. Contact the park office for further information.

All climbers must register with the park by completing a climbing and rappelling registration and activity permit which is available at the kiosk in the far righthand side of the Summit parking lot. There is no fee for this permit. Prior to activity, a copy of the permit must be deposited in the registration box or given to a park ranger. An additional copy is provided for participants and must be held in their possession which engaged in climbing or rappelling.

Organized and commercial climbing groups are required to apply for a Special Activity Permit ($35.00) per date, prior to the day of the climb. You can download a Special Activity permit application or obtain one from the park office. The $35.00 permit fee must be paid prior to approval.

Participants are responsible for their own personal safety, including securing proper training and equipment, and adhering to safe practices. Basic rock climbing safety equipment and techniques must be used at all time.

Climbing route closures: “Unnamed/P.Break” climbing route in the amphitheater has been permanently closed due to visitor use conflicts. The “Big Gully” is closed to all use (CLIMBING, HIKING, RAPPELLING, ETC.) for natural resource protection. This closure does not affect adjacent routes.

Climbers and Hikers are reminded that this area can become congested. Do not block the Ledge Springs trail with your gear, rope, dogs, or group. Pets must be attended (not tied off on a tree and left alone) and leashed while in the climbing area.

Horseback riding is allowed on the following trails:

Corridor/Bridal Trail

Grassy Ridge Trails

Pilot Mountain State Park’s main road is popular for hill climbing by bicycle. Please note that bicycling in the area should only be attempted by experienced cyclists wearing proper safety equipment. The road averages a 10% grade for 2.5 miles and has sections of 16% grades. It is recommended that cyclists plan their ride for the early morning hours when there is less vehicle traffic. Use caution on the descent and be advised that bicycles are subject to the same regulations pertaining to motor vehicles including exceeding safe speed and improper passing. There are no mountain bike trails in the park.

There are three picnic areas at Pilot Mountain State Park. One picnic area is near the summit parking lot and two are near the Yadkin River. The area has many picnic tables and grills. No drinking water is available in this area. Pit toilets are available.