Take a look from any direction and you will see Pilot Mountain rising over 1,400 feet over the rolling landscape that lies on the top of Piedmont plateau.Designated an National Natural Landmark since the year 1976 the solitary mountain is the focal point in Pilot Mountain State Park.The pleasure of being here, from relaxing to excitement, is easy to come across here.Take an excursion on horseback through the woods, or test the river on a canoe or raft.A five-mile woodland path connects two parts in the Park, with each section offering plenty of outdoor activities.The mountain section comprising the two pinnacles, is home to the majority of the facilities for visitors.The less primitive section of the river is centered around the meandering, lazy Yadkin River.
Nature of the Area
Rangers regularly schedule educational and informative programs on the Pilot Mountain State Park.To plan a unique exploration in Pilot Mountain State Park for your class or group call the park office.Educational resources on Pilot Mountain State Park have been designed for the grades 9-12 , and are linked with North Carolina’s curriculum based on competency in social studies, science mathematics, English/language arts.Pilot Mountain’s Pilot Mountain program introduces students to the “mountains away from the mountains” and the processes that created these mountains.The program comes with an educator’s guide and workshopthat is free for educators.
History of the Area
As with the rocky escarpments that are found in close by Hanging Rock State Park, Pilot Mountain is an eminent remnant of the old Sauratown Mountains.A monadnock of quartzite, this hard rock has lasted over millions of years as the elements have reduced surrounding peaks into an eroding plain.Pilot Mountain is crowned by two pinnacles that stand out.Big Pinnacle is a wall of untreated rock and a rounded summit surrounded in vegetation, is 1400 feet above the valley’s floor, with the knob protruding upwards more than 200 feet above the ground.Big Pinnacle is linked with Little Pinnacle by a narrow saddle.Visitors can easily reach the summit at the top of Little Pinnacle where the view covers many square miles in Piedmont as well as the mountains nearby in North Carolina and Virginia.To the native Saura Indians, the earliest known inhabitants of the region, Pilot Mountain was known as Jomeokee and was also known as known as the “Great Guide” or “Pilot.”It guided Native Americans and early European hunters on a north-south axis across the region.It was discovered that the Sauras were driven south by the Cherokees and later settled in the region.Settlement in the area was governed by the Moravians, however the population was sporadic in colonial times because of the turbulence in the frontier caused by an alliance between Cherokees with The British.The mountain was first marked on 1751 Joshua Fry and Peter Jefferson who was the father of the President Thomas Jefferson.Pilot Mountain became North Carolina’s 14th state park in the year 1968 and was made a state park due to the efforts by a group of citizens from the area.Prior to 1968 the mountain was a tourist attraction that was commercially run.Pilot Mountain Preservation and Park Committee Pilot Mountain Preservation and Park Committee recommended the establishment the park Pilot Mountain as a state park.
Camping
Family camping The lower slopes Pilot Mountain house the family camping area, where 49 tent and trailers are scattered across oaks and Hickories.Each campsite is equipped with tables, a pad for tents, and grill.Water is accessible in the entire campground as well as two modern washhouses that have hot showers are situated close by.Hookups aren’t provided.The firewood can be obtained by contacting the park’s staff. Collecting wood inside the park is not permitted.Camping spots are available on a first-come , first-served basis for small fees.There is a maximum of guests allowed on a campsite is six.Sites are available from March 15 to the month of November 30.Youth camp in tents: On the northern part of the Yadkin River, a camping area for youth groups is available. It has tables as well as a fire-pit, pit toilets and drinking water.Youth groups that are organized can gather in a natural setting.Reservations are necessary.Campers must be aware of extreme water levels that could cause flooding within this area.Canoe camping: Step out of your canoe to the Yadkin Islands to spend the night in the water.Two camping sites for canoeists are situated on the bigger one of two island.Toilets and water aren’t offered.Sites are open all year.
Boating
You can paddle through the Yadkin river through the park with part from the Yadkin River Canoe Trail.The 165-mile route follows the route of the River, going through five reservoirs until the point of confluence between the Yadkin and Uwharrierivers.The two-mile section from Yadkin River that flows through the park is two miles long. Yadkin River that flows through the park is one the most beautiful stretches along the river’s path.The huge river birches that cover the river, and sycamores line the banks of the river.The river here is shallow and broad with a lot of ripples.Two tiny islands, which are 15 and 45 acres in size, sit within the river.The islands can be reached via wading the foot, on horseback, or via canoe.The river flows along the Bean Shoals Canal Wall, one of the major projects which was undertaken between 1820-1825 to construct a 3-mile canal in the vicinity of Bean Shoals.The project was abandoned prior to it was completed.Explore these historical walls along the canal Trail.There are 38 access to canoe locations within the canal trail.Shoals Access Site located a half mile further upstream of the Yadkin Islands.The river is suitable for rafting at times.Visit the office of Parks Canada for more details.Canoe rentals are not available.
Picnicking
Three picnic areas on Pilot Mountain offer a choice of dining spots that are shaded.The picnic area of The Pilot Mountain section is located near the parking lot at the summit.Grills and picnic tables are set in an oak and pine forest.Bathrooms and drinking water are available nearby.Two sites for picnics located in the Yadkin River section the park are located about one-half mile from the shores of the river.Picnic spots on the north shores of the river situated in an open area that runs along Horne Creek.Grills, tables, drinking water , and pit toilets are available.The same facility is situated on the south bank of the river.The covered picnic shelter that is located in Pilot Mountain is a great spot for picnics. Pilot Mountain section is perfect for group trips.The shelter can accommodate up to 35 persons.A grill is nearby to make cooking easy.To make sure shelters are available it is recommended to make reservations.
