By:
Submission
► Tent and trailer camping
The lower slopes of Pilot Mountain house the family camping area where 42 campsites for tents and trailers are scattered among oaks and hickories.
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 the reservations website for more information about the driveway length of each campsite.
The campground host sells firewood. Gathering wood in the park is prohibited.
No more than six people are allowed to occupy a campsite. The camping area is open from March 15 to November 30.
Please review the important information below regarding check in.
► Paddle-in camping
Two paddle-in campsites are located at the Ivy Bluffs access on the south bank of Yadkin River. Reservations are required to use these campsites.
There is no water or toilet facilities at these campsites. You must bring your own water and pack out all trash and waste.
Camping is allowed only in designated areas. Camping is prohibited on the Yadkin River Islands.
The nearest boat access upstream from the campsite is located at the Shoals fishing and boating access, at 4454 Shoals Road, East Bend, NC 27018. The paddle from this access is about 1 mile. As of March 15, 2021, the next downstream boat access at Donnaha Park is closed until Fall 2023. Please plan accordingly.
From HWY 52 North or South look for the mountain and brown pilot mountain state park exit signs. There is no exit number. The park is 20 miles north of Winston-Salem and 14 miles south of Mount Airy. Get off US 52 at the park and follow the brown park signs.
Park gates are closed and locked at posted closing times for your protection. There will be no exiting or entering the gates after the closing time. All visitors who are not spending the night need to be out by closing time.
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 host for emergencies only.
For paddle-in campers, the Shoals boating and canoe access is open 24 hours.
Check-in at Pilot Mountain State Park is 4:00pm and check-out is at 3:00pm.
Some parks can accommodate early check-in, depending on the reservation schedule and site availability. Please contact the park to make such arrangements: [email protected] or 336-444-5100. There are no late check outs at Pilot Mountain.
For the tent and trailer campsites: If the road is open past the traffic circle, proceed to the campground and check in with the campground host at site #36. If the road is closed, check in at the visitor center if you arrive prior to 5 p.m., and if you arrive after the visitor center has closed, please call the number posted outside the visitor center for instructions.
For paddle-in campsites: Do not come to the visitor center to check in. Please proceed directly to the river section after 4 p.m. (there is no early check in for paddle-in campsites). Campers cannot drive to the site. The distance to paddle is 1 mile, or you can carry your supplies on a 0.5-mile hike.
Fun day of hiking with Trail Life. Beautiful views. We drove to the top of the park and hiked the longer trail around the summit. I think it was about 3 miles. Kids had a great time!
We were very happy that the park was open on January 1st. So we spent New Year's Day enjoying the spectacular views of Pilot Mountain and the Appalachian Mountains. They have convenient overlooks if you don't feel like walking through the nature trails. We also stopped by Main Street Coffee in downtown Pilot Mountain for a nice cup of hot chocolate and some sweet treats!
Pilot Mountain is a wonderful natural landscape to visit and explore. The state has done a great job of ensure visitor safety by blocking off areas with serious erosion and placing signs to warn of this danger throughout the park. There are so many places to capture beautiful views of overhead and down below and as far out as the eye can see. Those with mobility issues that require a scooter or wheelchair or any type of mobility assistance such as these will not be able to enjoy the higher altitudes but there are a few spots near the parking lot that would allow for a limited view of the area. Even with hiking boots or other types of sturdy walking shoes, hiking sticks or stability canes are a great idea while trekking up and down the trails. The trails are all rather rough with very uneven surfaces full of rocks and stones and gravel with wind blown sticks and tree debris. I would not recommend coming with infants. Toddlers that are walking pretty well may enjoy it but it is not very easy maneuvering so there will be lots of hand-holding with the little ones. I would even recommend those with breathing issues to take precautions due to the rough walking conditions and elevation. We really enjoyed ourselves and we did not even get to the trails leading up to the actual dome shaped peak of Pilot Mountain. However, there is an overlook across from it where there are great spots to take pictures. My family enjoyed ourselves.
A great state park in the foothills of the Blue Rich Mountains. Pilot Mountain is truly impressive. You can drive up the neighboring mountain to the summit. There is a parking lot at the top and there are numerous viewing platforms for impressive photos. At the same time, Pilot Mountain is a paradise for hikers and climbers and you can go on great tours on the many hiking trails.
