Places › Pilot Mountain State Park
Pilot Mountain State Park is a North Carolina state park in Pinnacle, Surry County, in our High Country region. The park page does not state day-use admission. The gate closes between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., depending on the month. It is closed on Christmas Day. Facts read from the official page on October 27, 2026.
- AdmissionNot publishedon the park page
- HoursCloses 6 to 9 p.m.Opens 7 a.m. to 8 a.m., by month
- ClosedChristmas Dayother holidays: open
- DogsOn a 6 ft leashmore rules below
About Pilot Mountain State Park
The iconic knob of Pilot Mountain is the center of this park, with a mountain section and a Yadkin River section. Hiking, horseback riding, rock climbing and camping are offered, and the Mountains-to-Sea State Trail crosses both sections.
Plan It in Three Lines
Getting In
The park page does not state day-use admission.
Closes 6 to 9 p.m.Bring the Dog?
Dogs are allowed on a leash no longer than 6 feet, with limits indoors and in some areas.
Full rules belowMake It a Trip
Hanging Rock State Park is about 13 miles away (straight line).
2 units within 30 miles
Pilot Mountain State Park Hours
At the Mountain Section table, the gate closes between 6 p.m. (Dec to Jan) and 9 p.m. (May to Sep). It opens 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. Month by month, as the park prints it:
Bars show the hour the gate closes, drawn from the month table below it. Taller means later.
| Month | Hours |
|---|---|
| January | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| February | 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| March | 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| April | 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| May | 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| June | 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| July | 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| August | 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| September | 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| October | 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| November | 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| December | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| Month | Hours |
|---|---|
| January | 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| February | 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| March | 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| April | 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| May | 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| June | 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| July | 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| August | 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| September | 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| October | 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| November | 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| December | 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| Month | Hours |
|---|---|
| January | campground closed |
| February | campground closed |
| March | 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| April | 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| May | 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
| June | 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
| July | 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
| August | 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
| September | 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
| October | 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| November | 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| December | campground closed |
- Visitor Center: From December to February, open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. From March to November, open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The visitor center is open during all other state holidays.
- The park is closed on Christmas Day.
- The park is open during all other holidays.
- The visitor center is closed on Christmas Day.
This park prints 3 hour tables because its accesses keep different gates; the first one is used for the tiles above.
Admission and Fees
Fees are charged for camping, group climbing, certain event permits, and facility reservations.
Planning several parks? Our State Parks Passport guide sets every park’s fees and dog rules side by side.
Dogs and Strollers
- Dogs: Pets are allowed at the park and at campsites. They must be on an attended leash of no longer than 6 feet at all times. Pets are prohibited from entering any building.
- Strollers: Not published. The park page does not say whether strollers are allowed; call the park office (336-444-5100) before you go.
Directions and Contact
- Address: 1721 Pilot Knob Park Road, Pinnacle, NC 27043
- Phone: 336-444-5100
- Map point: 36.34080,-80.46100. Latitude and longitude printed on the park's own ncparks.gov page, checked within 25 miles of the Pinnacle town point (U.S. Census) and of the OpenStreetMap match. Directions in Google Maps
- Official page: www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/pilot-mountain-state-park
State Parks Near Pilot Mountain State Park
- 1Hanging Rock State ParkState Parkabout 13 mi
- 2Mayo River State ParkState Parkabout 29 mi
- 3Stone Mountain State ParkState Parkabout 32 mi
- 4Haw River State ParkState Parkabout 40 mi
- 5Rendezvous MountainState Park Unitabout 47 mi
- 6New River State ParkState Parkabout 50 mi
Straight-line distances between map points, not driving miles. Dots sit in their true compass direction; distance is stretched near the middle so close neighbors stay readable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to visit Pilot Mountain State Park?
The park page does not state day-use admission.
Are dogs allowed at Pilot Mountain State Park?
Pets are allowed at the park and at campsites. They must be on an attended leash of no longer than 6 feet at all times. Pets are prohibited from entering any building.
What time does Pilot Mountain State Park close?
It depends on the month: the gate closes between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. at the first table the park prints. See the month table above for your date.
Is Pilot Mountain State Park open on Christmas?
The park is closed on Christmas Day.
Are strollers allowed at Pilot Mountain State Park?
Not published. The park page does not mention strollers, so call the park office before you go.
What We Could Not Verify
- Hours and closures change at short notice for weather and staffing; check the official page the day you go.
- Stroller rules are not stated on the official page.
- Some admission amounts are not on the park page (see Admission and Fees).
Sources
- Pilot Mountain State Park on NC State Parks (read 2026-10-27)
- NC State Parks: park list and fees (read 2026-10-27)
- OpenStreetMap (map point check)
Last checked October 27, 2026 by the It’s North Carolina editor. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Cite this page: It's North Carolina, “Pilot Mountain State Park: Hours, Fees and Dog Rules”, itsnorthcarolina.com/places/pilot-mountain-state-park/ (updated ). By the It's North Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.