Pilot Mountain State Park

Geobox Protected Area
name = Pilot Mountain State Park
native_name =
other_name =
other_name1 =
category_local = North Carolina State Park
category_iucn = III

---

image_caption = The distinctive Big Pinnacle of Pilot Mountain
etymology_type = Named for
etymology = Pilot Mountain
country = United States
state = North Carolina
region_type = Counties
region = Stokes
region1 = Yadkin
region2 =
region3 =
district_type =
district =
city =
city1 =
location =
lat_d = 36
lat_m = 34
lat_s = 01
lat_NS = N
long_d = 80
long_m = 47
long_s = 42
long_EW = W
elevation_imperial =
elevation_round =
area_unit = acre
area_imperial = 3703
area_round = 1
area1_imperial =
area1_type =
length_imperial =
length_orientation =
width_imperial =
width_orientation =
highest =
highest_location = Big Pinnacle
highest_lat_d = 36
highest_lat_m = 20
highest_lat_s = 24
highest_lat_NS =
highest_long_d = 80
highest_long_m = 28
highest_long_s = 27
highest_long_EW =
highest_elevation_imperial = 2241
lowest =
lowest_location = Yadkin River
lowest_lat_d = 36
lowest_lat_m = 15
lowest_lat_s = 22
lowest_lat_NS =
lowest_long_d = 80
lowest_long_m = 30
lowest_long_s = 14
lowest_long_EW =
lowest_elevation_imperial = 794
biome =
biome_share =
biome1 =
biome1_share =
geology =
geology1 =
plant =
plant1 =
animal =
animal1 =
established_type = Dedicated
established = 1968
established1_type =
established1 =
management_body = North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
management_location =
management_lat_d =
management_lat_m =
management_lat_s =
management_lat_NS =
management_long_d =
management_long_m =
management_long_s =
management_long_EW =
management_elevation =
visitation =
visitation_year =
free_type = Nearest City
free = Pinnacle, North Carolina
free1_type =
free1 =


map_caption = Location of Pilot Mountain State Park in North Carolina
map_locator = North Carolina
map_first =
website = [http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/pimo/main.php Pilot Mountain State Park]

Pilot Mountain State Park is a North Carolina state park in Surry and Yadkin Counties, North Carolina in the United States. Located near Pinnacle, North Carolina on highway US 52, it covers 3,703 acres (15 km²) and includes the distinctive 2,241 foot (683 m) peak of Pilot Mountain.

History

The Saura, a Native American tribe of the North Carolina Piedmont region, knew the mountain as "Jomeokee" meaning the "Great Guide" . It served as a guidepost also for the European settlers of the Carolina who similarly named it "Pilot".cite web | url = http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/pimo/history.php | title = Pilot Mountain State Park: History | accessdate = 2007-11-21 | publisher = North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources]

The Saura were driven out of the area by the Cherokee. The first European settlers in the area were Moravians, a Christian religious group from Germany that settled in the Thirteen Colonies seeking freedom of religion and to evangelize among the Native Americans. Settlement in the area was slowed until after the American Revolutionary War which relieved tense relations between the Cherokee, the British, and local setters.

After serving as a commercial tourist attraction, Pilot Mountain became a North Carolina state park in 1968. It was established as a state park in order to protect the mountain and surrounding lands from being over-developed. The Pilot Mountain Preservation and Park Committee purchased the land from Mrs. J. W. Beasley by raising funds and acquired a grant from the federal government. Additional lands along the Yadkin River were purchased in 1970. Further purchases have brought Pilot Mountain State Park to a total size of 3,703 acres (14.99 km²).

Recreation

Pilot Mountain State Park is for year-round recreation. Activities at the park include, camping, canoeing, fishing, rock climbing, picnicking, hiking, mountain biking and environmental education.cite web | url = http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/pimo/activities.php | title = Pilot Mountain State Park: Activities | accessdate = 2007-11-21 | publisher = North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources]

The Yadkin River provides opportunities for visitors to the park to fish and canoe. The Yadkin River Canoe Trail is 165 mile (265 km) long and follows the course of the river to its confluence with the Uwharrie River at the Pee Dee River in south central North Carolina. Two miles (3.22 km) of the river pass through Pilot Mountain State Park. The river is broad and shallow at the park with two islands that can be reached by canoe or by wading when the water level is low. All anglers need to have a license from the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission. The common game fish are sunfish, catfish and crappie.

A family camping area is on the lower slopes of Pilot Mountain. It has 49 campsites that are open to tents or trailers that are scattered in a forest of hickory and oak trees. Each campsite comes equipped with a charcoal grill, picnic table and tent pad. Modern restroom facilities with hot water and showers are located nearby. A large and rustic youth group camping area is located on the northern floodplain of the Yadkin River. Canoeists are permitted to camp at two campsites on the islands of the river.

There are three picnic areas at Pilot Mountain State Park. One picnic area is near the summit parking lot and two are near the Yadkin River. The area has many picnic tables and grills. Drinking water is provided as are rustic toilets.

Rock Climbing is permitted in some designated sections of the park. All climbers must register with park staff. Climbing and rappelling are not permitted on the face of Pilot Mountain, Big Pinnacle. A list of rules and regulations can be obtained from the park offices. Many miles of trail at Pilot Mountain State Park are open to hiking, mountain biking and horse back riding. Rules and regulations can be obtained at the park offices.

Ecology

The ecology of Pilot Mountain State Park is similar to the ecology of the Blue Ridge Mountains which are west of Surry County. Big Pinnacle is ringed by rhododendron catawbiense which has pink blossoms in the spring making the mountain appear as if it is wearing a "pink crown".cite web | url = http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/pimo/ecology.php | title = Pilot Mountain State Park: Ecology | accessdate = 2007-11-21 | publisher = North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources] Mountain laurel can be found throughout the park as can wild blueberry, huckleberry and grapes. The forests are mainly Chestnut oak, Table Mountain Pine and Pitch Pine trees. Wildlife consists of animals that are typical to an eastern woodland environment including the American toad, Carolina Wren, ravens, White-tailed deer and raccoons.

Nearby state parks

The following state parks are within convert|30|mi|km|0 of Pilot Mountain State Park::Hanging Rock State Park:Stone Mountain State Park

ee also

*Pilot Mountain

References