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One of the natural landmark parks for the area. It can be busy and overly crowded at times. When its crowded parking alone can be an impossible feat. We have attempted a visit before and ran into that scenario, no place to park. Even parking at the lower areas requires a serious hike to the top. The day of our visit on another attempt, it wasn't crowded and we were actually able to park at the top near the summit. Parking was doable, and hiking in and up to dome was as well. The views are impressive. One of the best elevations to see the entire region. This state park was designated a national natural landmark in 1976 and a part of the local history forever. 4 Stars a cool park worth a visit, but may be overcrowded at times 01193
I drove past the visitor center to the scenic overlook! And then I hiked the short 0.8 mi loop around pilot mountain. Clearly marked trails, nicely maintained. Visitor center has clean bathrooms.
I was a little surprised to see I neglected to leave a review for this park! Long overdue, as I've been several times over the years. One of my absolute favorite mountains to hike! Not too far a drive, but if you want to park at the summit you should get there early on the weekend before it fills up. I don't think you'll have that trouble on the weekdays. This most recent visit, we hiked up and down the grindstone path, which is rated strenuous. I'm used to hiking so I would say it seemed more moderate than strenuous, though there were some tougher spots. If you're in hiking shape, though, it was a wonderful way to spend a few hours and getting several miles (7-8) in. There is one trail that is rated more difficult than the grindstone, so I'll have to try that one out next time!
Only did the drive up to the summit prkg lot and the hikes to the various outkooks...but wowsa! Driving up to the Park from the prkwy is beautiful as is the harrowing winding mtn drive up (and down) hoping people in the other lane are paying as much attention as you are! But once up top it really is as if the air is just different! Gloriously clean & gusty w/views until u literally can't see any further cuz of the curvature of the Earth (sorry Flat Earthers u'd probs hate it up here)...all joking aside on a clear day like today you feel like you've summited something much higher than Jomeokee's (Saura native's name meaning "great guide or 'pilot'") actual 2421ft height. The views of the geological landmark are breathtaking and impressive from any angle and it was a treat to see many of the native raptor birds of prey circling. There were also monarchs and eastern tiger swallowtails flitting across the summit trail overlooks. Absolutely a must and worth any detours if you're in the area! A guiding landmark for millennia just a short detour off the roads most traveled!
Had a great time at Pilot Mountain recently. Camped overnight there and went hiking the next day. The campground was clean and well maintained. The hiking trailers were great. We had a wonderful time and really enjoyed hiking as a family. We certainly will be back.
Been on health journey the last couple of months trying to change things up! But yesterday decided to do something totally out of my comfort zone and go on a hike. I choose Pilot Mountain because I do hear a lot of things about it living here in Winston and decided to check it out. Being one with nature and being able to experience it for what it's worth is nothing short of spectacular considering it's so close to home. I hiked about 3 miles up to the top and was able to enjoy the incredible scenery. Everyone around was very nice and helpful if you get to the top and realize you might not have enough time or just a bit to tired to go back down there is a shuttle that runs until about 5pm which can be very helpful as well. If you're not a nature person I would still say check it out atleast once! It's very peaceful out there and in a life of chaos that brief amount of time where you can find some peace is definitely much needed. Highly recommended!
My daughter and her friend are both in wheelchsits. They had access to so much of the park it was very well maintained and we were all pleased with our experience!!!!
Pilot Mountain State Park is a great park to visit. I drove to the top viewing area then walked up to the top. Admission is free to the park and restrooms were available close to the parking lot. There are trails you can take but I wasn't going to do that in the heat. The nice thing about this park is you can still enjoy nature if you don't want to take a trail to the top. The views are beautiful here.
Great job by the rangers and state for the up keeping. There are different lengths of trails and they are well maintained. Not a lot of trash at the parking lot, which is good. Usually at the peak, there are a lot of human traffic. At the top you can see as far as Winston Salem and grandfather mountain. Just a great view to see the greens of NC. There are a lot of stairs for some of the trails so your pets might have a hard time.
If beautiful views from a few thousand feet up interest you, Pilot Mtn. State Park, is a very accessible destination. Located just 35 minutes (or so) from Winston-Salem just off of Highway 52, Pilot Mtn. boasts views by either hiking or driving, depending on your mode of travel. On the day of my visit, my daughter and I hiked up and down, we were passed by a few runners! The views are amazing, even from a little over 2,200 feet up! Our clear day enabled us to see the tall buildings of Winston-Salem, the Blue Ridge Mountain range to the west and running northeast, Virginia, and the Yadkin valley to the south. Take the 0.8 mile out-and-back trail that loops around the "mountain" itself to get the full effect. Parking is located at both the base and the top of the state park along with bathrooms. The Visitors Center is located at the bottom and is a great location to take a Yelp or Insta photo of the mountain peak. If you do hike, be sure to prepare with proper hiking shoes and hydration for a challenging but doable climb up (and easier one on the way down). The trail is clearly marked, but it is advised to check out the map first. Cell service was available the entire way.
This park in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains is well kept and maintained. Nice trails and facilities. The view from the top is far reaching and sunsets are beautiful. Keep pets on leashes and all is pet friendly. There's a great kids trail program to follow here for little ones. Protip: put this address in your GPS and don't rely on Apple Maps (2024) 2799 Pilot Knob Park Rd Pinnacle, NC 27043 United States
When I visited here for the first time a couple months ago, my friend and I really enjoyed ourselves! I enjoy hiking. I typically go to Hanging Rock but wanted to try a new place. I got there pretty late in the day as it was about 4pm. They have a shuttle to take you straight to the top but it was over my the time we started. The shuttle cost $5 as well. The visitor center was open and was a little busy. They also have an area for the restroom. I did a mix of three trails. It was a route that I found via All Trials. I made the mistake by choosing the rock path for one trail... my advice: don't do it lol. Boy was it exhausting! However, the views were AMAZING once I got to the top. I can't wait to return and try another trail.
We did the "Little Pinnacle Overlook" trail by the parking lot, which was really quick and easy to get to the top of the knob. A fun little hike with beautiful views! The bathrooms were right next to the parking lot. Pretty clean and convenient. Definitely recommend. read more
Stopped by on a drive back home and was slightly detour, the drive up toon about 6 min, make sure you go slow because it has tight turns, so careful driving required. Once at the top, it was pretty good views, you can see a lot of surrounding nature. If you have time, it's a nice place to see. There is also bathrooms at the top. read more
Beautiful place to explore, and they have the option of if you want the view you can drive all the way to the top and enjoy. And they also have so trails around. They also have a shuttle that goes from the visitor center to the summit, in case you're not a fan of driving towards the heights... read more
One of the natural landmark parks for the area. It can be busy and overly crowded at times. When its crowded parking alone can be an impossible feat. We have attempted a visit before and ran into that scenario, no place to park. Even parking at the lower areas requires a serious hike to the top. The day of our visit on another attempt, it wasn't crowded and we were actually able to park at the top near the summit. Parking was doable, and hiking in and up to dome was as well. The views are impressive. One of the best elevations to see the entire region. This state park was designated a national natural landmark in 1976 and a part of the local history forever. 4 Stars a cool park worth a visit, but may be overcrowded at times 01193 read more
I was a little surprised to see I neglected to leave a review for this park! Long overdue, as I've been several times over the years. One of my absolute favorite mountains to hike! Not too far a drive, but if you want to park at the summit you should get there early on the weekend before it fills up. I don't think you'll have that trouble on the weekdays. This most recent visit, we hiked up and down the grindstone path, which is rated strenuous. I'm used to hiking so I would say it seemed more moderate than strenuous, though there were some tougher spots. If you're in hiking shape, though, it was a wonderful way to spend a few hours and getting several miles (7-8) in. There is one trail that is rated more difficult than the grindstone, so I'll have to try that one out next time! read more
Only did the drive up to the summit prkg lot and the hikes to the various outkooks...but wowsa! Driving up to the Park from the prkwy is beautiful as is the harrowing winding mtn drive up (and down) hoping people in the other lane are paying as much attention as you are! But once up top it really is as if the air is just different! Gloriously clean & gusty w/views until u literally can't see any further cuz of the curvature of the Earth (sorry Flat Earthers u'd probs hate it up here)...all joking aside on a clear day like today you feel like you've summited something much higher than Jomeokee's (Saura native's name meaning "great guide or 'pilot'") actual 2421ft height. The views of the geological landmark are breathtaking and impressive from any angle and it was a treat to see many of the native raptor birds of prey circling. There were also monarchs and eastern tiger swallowtails flitting across the summit trail overlooks. Absolutely a must and worth any detours if you're in the area! A guiding landmark for millennia just a short detour off the roads most traveled! read more
Had a great time at Pilot Mountain recently. Camped overnight there and went hiking the next day. The campground was clean and well maintained. The hiking trailers were great. We had a wonderful time and really enjoyed hiking as a family. We certainly will be back. read more
4 months ago
This is worth the drive, so beautiful. Going back soon to do a hike, no charge to get in. Loved it read more
Been on health journey the last couple of months trying to change things up! But yesterday decided to do something totally out of my comfort zone and go on a hike. I choose Pilot Mountain because I do hear a lot of things about it living here in Winston and decided to check it out. Being one with nature and being able to experience it for what it's worth is nothing short of spectacular considering it's so close to home. I hiked about 3 miles up to the top and was able to enjoy the incredible scenery. Everyone around was very nice and helpful if you get to the top and realize you might not have enough time or just a bit to tired to go back down there is a shuttle that runs until about 5pm which can be very helpful as well. If you're not a nature person I would still say check it out atleast once! It's very peaceful out there and in a life of chaos that brief amount of time where you can find some peace is definitely much needed. Highly recommended! read more
1 year ago
My daughter and her friend are both in wheelchsits. They had access to so much of the park it was very well maintained and we were all pleased with our experience!!!! read more
3 years ago
Pilot Mountain State Park is a great park to visit. I drove to the top viewing area then walked up to the top. Admission is free to the park and restrooms were available close to the parking lot. There are trails you can take but I wasn't going to do that in the heat. The nice thing about this park is you can still enjoy nature if you don't want to take a trail to the top. The views are beautiful here. read more
10 months ago
10 months ago
3 years ago
Great job by the rangers and state for the up keeping. There are different lengths of trails and they are well maintained. Not a lot of trash at the parking lot, which is good. Usually at the peak, there are a lot of human traffic. At the top you can see as far as Winston Salem and grandfather mountain. Just a great view to see the greens of NC. There are a lot of stairs for some of the trails so your pets might have a hard time. read more
4 years ago
If beautiful views from a few thousand feet up interest you, Pilot Mtn. State Park, is a very accessible destination. Located just 35 minutes (or so) from Winston-Salem just off of Highway 52, Pilot Mtn. boasts views by either hiking or driving, depending on your mode of travel. On the day of my visit, my daughter and I hiked up and down, we were passed by a few runners! The views are amazing, even from a little over 2,200 feet up! Our clear day enabled us to see the tall buildings of Winston-Salem, the Blue Ridge Mountain range to the west and running northeast, Virginia, and the Yadkin valley to the south. Take the 0.8 mile out-and-back trail that loops around the "mountain" itself to get the full effect. Parking is located at both the base and the top of the state park along with bathrooms. The Visitors Center is located at the bottom and is a great location to take a Yelp or Insta photo of the mountain peak. If you do hike, be sure to prepare with proper hiking shoes and hydration for a challenging but doable climb up (and easier one on the way down). The trail is clearly marked, but it is advised to check out the map first. Cell service was available the entire way. read more
This park in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains is well kept and maintained. Nice trails and facilities. The view from the top is far reaching and sunsets are beautiful. Keep pets on leashes and all is pet friendly. There's a great kids trail program to follow here for little ones. Protip: put this address in your GPS and don't rely on Apple Maps (2024) 2799 Pilot Knob Park Rd Pinnacle, NC 27043 United States read more
When I visited here for the first time a couple months ago, my friend and I really enjoyed ourselves! I enjoy hiking. I typically go to Hanging Rock but wanted to try a new place. I got there pretty late in the day as it was about 4pm. They have a shuttle to take you straight to the top but it was over my the time we started. The shuttle cost $5 as well. The visitor center was open and was a little busy. They also have an area for the restroom. I did a mix of three trails. It was a route that I found via All Trials. I made the mistake by choosing the rock path for one trail... my advice: don't do it lol. Boy was it exhausting! However, the views were AMAZING once I got to the top. I can't wait to return and try another trail. read more
I'm NOT a happy camper... nope, but the things you do for your kids! I was cajoled into going camping at Pilot Mountain State Park (aka Mount Airy) because my friends and family knew I love Mayberry RFD! Based on promises to visit the Andy Griffith hometown, I was persuaded to go along! Against my better judgment, I helped pack the car... the tents, the camping gear, the bug spray... and off we went! To my surprise and pleasure, this park was beautiful! The gorgeous Mountain View, the nature trails, the rustic scenery, the flowing river - all communing in sync. Now, I'm not the "outdoorsy" type, but this campground was decent. My kids had a blast... we picnicked, we hiked to Pilot Knob, we had bonfires, roasted weenies, popped popcorn on the campfire, and made s'mores, all the usual camping activities. We saw lots of wildlife, trees, foliage, fauna, rocks, flowers and other beautiful natural sites. Because we went with my BFF and her family, it made the outdoors bearable! The park was clean and well-maintained. If you love nature, this park and campground is right up your alley... or trail!! I must admit, camping is a bit in"tents" for me, who ever said it was a good idea to sleep outside in a sleeping bag?? One comedian said it was like we made ourselves into a burrito for bears! Lol! I'm very attached to my cozy king-sized bed, my A/C, and indoor plumbing, but this experience wasn't hateful. Yes, they do have communal restrooms at the park, but I prefer my private, homey, restroom within my four walls! My favorite part of the trip was visiting the town of Mayberry... or fictional Mayberry! I'm such a geek!! I loved seeing the Mayberry jail, the Taylor house porch with Aunt Bee and Opie, Floyd's barber shop, and the town mural with all the characters from the show! By the way, Goober says "Hey!" read more
2 years ago
1 year ago
7 years ago
Was out and about with Dr Bob on the 2021 Tour de South: a Quest for Barbeque... Saturday was a little jaunt up near the continental divide, Sunday was a frolicsome adventure here, neither resulted in anything remotely barby or queued but we had a pretty good time climbing on the rocks :-) costs five dollars to ride up to the top once the lot is full so your best bet is early-ish during the week, but it was Sunday afternoon and pay we must so pay we did and up we went. yea :-) got to the top and took in the basic view while waiting for the rest of the tourists to disperse. got a nice look at the country side from a variety of perches and points of vantage. on the plus side the sun was out in force and so were the vultures, on the down side the sun and vultures remained overhead... brutal and hot but not quite enough to drop anyone on the trails down below. the actual mount of pilots is remarkable and fills the head with awe and wonderment, big old rock next to this rock sticking conspicuously up out of the rolling plain. with a decent pair of cheaters various ascents and nature trails are visible on the mount across the expanse. rumor has it that qualified individuals can get permission to scale the rock without fine or jail time, I am not such a person... but I did get to take some pics of other people with the big rock in the background (pro tip: always take a few and make sure they have a look at what you've done to/for them before they go off) after which me and Dr Bob found a shady spot to catch up on life and things and such before heading back down the search out some victuals. all in all a very good day out :-) biggest and only real issue was the parking and bus ride to the top. I get that spaces up there are limited and a near constant stream of cars up and down could adversely impact the response time of emergency vehicles and personnel and someone could end up in a bad way but when we arrive at a mostly empty lot late in the day the whole mandatory $10-bus-ride-thing is a bit of a put-off especially with the super abundance of fragrance some of our fellow travelers were wont to indulge... read more
7 years ago
Pilot Mountain is one of my favorite place to go hiking. Just from the parking lot, you'll be able see the amazing view of the mountain and nearby towns. Then you have an options to go which part of the mountain you would like to starts. It's is 6 miles to hike around the mountain. Our first stop is always The Pinnacle Knob view, this is one of my favorite stop, from this point, you'll enjoy the view of the Knob, below are the walking trails and the breathtaking view of mountain and nearby towns. After than, you can continue down the steps, to go around the knob, it is 0.8 miles. Along the trail, you'll find some rocks and walls formed perfectly. Also some caves/walls like where you can stop, rest and take amazing photos. Once you go around the knob, the trail will take you back to the front entrance, or you can yield to the left side to continue hiking from moderate to strenuous. Along this trail, you'll find some people wall/rock climbing which I really enjoyed watching them. They're so brave and courageous climbing all the way up and down without any problem. (definitely make me want to try one day) So if you're looking for amazing hiking trails and miles to cover, Pilot Mountain has it all! read more
2 years ago
A bit late in reviewing but it's a great place to enjoy nature. Going through my camera card last night, I found a group of photo's that I had taken but had not posted and these are some of them. These were taken last April when the area was wakening from Winter and the bright Greens of Spring were just coming out. You can drive almost all the way to the top of one of the pinnacles next to the main peak so it's an easy trip and once there, you have a great view in many directions. To the Northwest, and there is a skyline map at one of the benches that looks to Mount Airy and the first mountains of the Appalachian/Blue Ridge in Virginia and North Carolina. To the Southeast, you look down onto US 52 as it meanders down to Winston Salem. To the west, you look in the direction of Elkin and the beautiful Yadkin Valley. Several nice trails and some climbing rock but at that point, had had hip replacement surgery just 3 weeks earlier so no rock climbing for me. Plenty of parking and picnicking and a great place for the kids. Well maintained and great for the family dog as well. Short drive from Winston Salem, right down the road from Mt. Airy aka Mayberry and a little over an hour from Charlotte. It's way overlooked but a great place to relax and enjoy on a good daytrip. read more
Pilot Mountain is another great way to spend half a day in the outdoors. We came on a Friday and got here around 9am in the morning back in July so there was plenty of parking. For hiking, we took 2 trails. First, we did the Jomeokee Trail which was an easy 0.8 mile scenic hike which goes around the base of the Big Pinnacle so you have a lot of great opportunities for photos. Next, we did the Ledge Spring Trail which is labeled as a strenuous 1.0 mile one way hike that ends with some nice locations for rock climbing. The Ledge Spring Trail is definitely tougher so recommend bringing water and snacks. We brought a picnic lunch and just had it after the two hikes. Pilot Mountain has restrooms near the parking lot at the top of the mountain. These are in actual buildings and not just portable toilets. Definitely recommend getting here early! We left at 7am so we can get a parking spot. As we were leaving, we noticed that they closed the gates for entering probably because the lot was full. read more
6 years ago
Did the Grassy Ridge trail yesterday. It's 1.5 miles and is one way. I left my truck at the parking lot off of Pinnacle Hotel road, and my daughter took me to the visitor's center at Pilot Mtn state park, and I got on the trail there. You cross several creeks which are small, except for the last one. Trail is a little rocky and not very wide on the visitor's center end, but opens up to an old farm road as you get to the other end. read more
9 years ago
This is a pretty good state park, but I don't think the hiking and views are quite as good as others. You can park at the bottom and hike up to the summit, but I've never done that. It's a 6 mile hike round trip. I've been twice now and both times I've driven to the summit. There's a parking lot up there that can get a bit crowded, but I've been able to find parking both times. This park tends to be more crowded then most since there are easy trails. Once at the summit, there are a couple of good view points near the parking lot. You can also walk about a tenth of a mile to get a great view of Pilot Mountain. After doing those, I always do the eight tenths of a mile Jomeokee Trail. It loops around Pilot Mountain. There are some pretty good views looking out below the mountain, but I think the coolest part is the rock of the mountain. It's short and easy. There are a few steps, but nothing very hard. I usually come here after hiking at Hanging Rock State Park since the two are only about half an hour apart. Overall, Pilot Mountain isn't my favorite state park, but I think it's worth checking out at least once. read more
5 years ago
5 years ago
Great place to hike! Excellent views! 3.5 mile hike up and 3.5 back down, or you can catch the shuttle for $5 (round trip). read more
3 years ago
Truly memorable spot year round; most of my experience is with the various hiking trails (there's one for every level of fitness, ability). The nice new visitor center is a plus. You may want to avoid weekends and around major holidays, it can get very crowded. Be aware that goes double for the fall leaf season (crowds, parking). My favorite is the trail that circles the Big Pinnacle (Jomeokee). read more
5 years ago
Everyone in the world should go to Pilot Mountain at least once. I go at least once a year because it's a great place to walk and the scenery is something to behold. read more
6 years ago
Very pretty place to see. I wish I'd known to drive up the mountain via ROAD before we hiked though. If you're up for at least 4 miles of trail, start at the first parking lot but the NICE VIEWS are at the top. Head to the very top for scenic views and plenty of parking. That's where you find the nicer trials anyway(Jomeokee trail is .08 mile) You can either just check out the views or you can start from the top and hike some nature trails but definitely drive to the top. The bottom trials are just walks through the woods- nothing spectacular. read more
Highly recommend this beautiful state park. It's just a 25-30 minute drive from downtown Winston-Salem and is absolutely worth a stop if you are in the area. Whether you have an hour to do the short hikes around the overlook, or all day for hiking/biking/climbing, this is an easily accessible park that has tons of great views and natural beauty. I've attached some pics to this review and on a clear day you can see how you can see for miles and miles. If you are traveling with little ones ... The main overlook area is very kid friendly as there are lots of guard rails and smoothed over paths for easy navigating. read more
3 years ago
Beautiful place for a hike up the mountain with a couple of options to hike further to the bottom of Pilot Knob. A little over 2 miles to the top of the mountain and a couple more miles to hike around the bottom of Pilot Knob. You can also drive to the top where there is a parking lot and enjoy the views. Clean restrooms are available at the top with places to sit. At the entrance on the bottom where the visitor center is, there is limited parking and you may have to wait, otherwise you can drive up a little further to park and it's close to the trail. Beautiful views from the top of the mountain. Hike wasn't very difficult but give yourself 1-2 hours each way. read more
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More info about Pilot Mountain State Park
1792 Pilot Knob Park Rd
Pinnacle, NC 27043
Directions
(336) 325-2355
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.ncparks.gov
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Outdoor Amenities
Ask the Community - Pilot Mountain State Park
Can tent camp here?
mostly yes but with some restrictions. for further information on camping see https://www.ncparks.gov/pilot-mountain-state-park/camping
Review Highlights - Pilot Mountain State Park
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4 reviews that are not currently recommended
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