National park · United States
Pilot Mountain State Park
Enter Pilot Mountain State Park for $4–$6 per vehicle (check), hike the 3.5‑mi Grindstone Trail (moderate) before 10 am, or climb the Pilot Knob loop (hard) in spring or fall; avoid summer heat and weekend crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
13 km² (5 sq mi)5 sq mi (13 km²)
approximate
Established
1975
Best months
Mar–Apr, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 13 km² (5 sq mi)5 sq mi (13 km²)
- Park area approx 12.5 km² (check).
- Established
- 1975
- Best months
- Mar–Apr, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Winston-Salem
Pilot Mountain State Park protects a distinctive monolith in North Carolina's Piedmont, offering hiking, climbing on lower cliffs, equestrian trails, and river recreation, with a vehicle entry fee and seasonal camping.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1975.
Size and age
13 km² (5 sq mi)5 sq mi (13 km²) · national park since 1975
Park area approx 12.5 km² (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Winston-Salem.
Why go
- Iconic monolith with panoramic views of the Piedmont.
- Grindstone Trail offers a steady climb and summit parking.
- Rock climbing on lower cliffs (permit required).
- Equestrian and multi‑use trails for varied recreation.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCool, low crowds.
- FebCool, occasional rain.
- MarSpring bloom, trails open.
- AprMild, good hiking.
- MayWarm, but not hot.
- JunHeat rises, bugs.
- JulHot, higher visitor numbers.
- AugHot, possible thunderstorms.
- SepCooler, fewer crowds.
- OctFall colours, pleasant temps.
- NovCool, early leaf fall.
- DecCold, quiet.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bald eagles, red‑tailed hawksMar–Oct | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| White‑tailed deer, wild turkeyAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor Center | Information desk, restrooms, map kiosk. | Open daily 8 am–5 pm. |
| Grindstone Trailhead | Parking lot and trail start to summit. | Vehicle entry fee required. |
| Equestrian Loop | Multi‑use trail for horses, bikes, hikers. | Open year‑round. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from town of Pilot Mountain; park facilities within a few km.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle entry fee | US$4–6 | vehicle | Check current rate on N.C. State Parks website. |
| Rock climbing permit | US$5 | person | Required for climbing on lower cliffs. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Vehicle entry permit or guide
Rock climbing permit or guide
Fishing permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$4–6
- US$5
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on North Carolina State Parks – Pilot Mountain before you go.
Park rules
- Pets
- Leashed dogs allowed on trails; not on the summit parking area.
- Camping
- Designated campgrounds open Mar 15–Nov 30; permits required.
- Climbing
- Only on lower cliffs with a permit; summit off‑limits.
- Firearms
- Prohibited within park boundaries.
- Litter
- Pack out all trash; no open fires outside designated sites.
Where to stay
Near the park
Pilot Knob Inn
Bed‑and‑breakfast 2 mi from the park entrance.
Near the park
Winston‑Salem hotels
Range of options 20–30 min drive.
Safety
Heat and steep steps medium
Lightning on exposed summit high
Wildlife encounters low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Visitor center parking is paved with short, level paths to restrooms.
- Summit parking lot reachable by vehicle; trail stairs not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked trails to protect fragile sandstone.
- Use refillable water bottles; no single‑use plastics.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Pilot Mountain?
Vehicle entry is $4–$6 (check current rate on the NC State Parks website); pedestrians pay $2–$3.
What are the best hikes in Pilot Mountain?
Grindstone Trail (3.5 mi one‑way, moderate) to summit parking, and the Pilot Knob Loop (steeper, hard) for a full summit experience.
When is the best time to visit Pilot Mountain?
Spring (Mar–May) and fall (Sep–Oct) offer mild weather and fewer crowds; summer can be hot and busy.
Do I need a permit to climb?
Yes, a rock‑climbing permit is required for any climbing on the lower cliffs; obtain it at the park office.
Is camping allowed?
Designated campgrounds are open March 15 to November 30; a campsite permit is required.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Pilot Mountain State Park
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