Pilot Mountain State Park

Coordinates: 36°20′34.05″N 80°28′57.89″W / 36.3427917°N 80.4827472°W / 36.3427917; -80.4827472
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Pilot Mountain State Park
North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation
WebsitePilot 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 3,872 acres (15.67 km2)[1] 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.[2]

Due to the effects of European diseases and attacks by northern Indians, particularly the Seneca, the Saura Indians abandoned the area around 1700. The first European settlers in the area arrived in the late 1740s from Pennsylvania. Settlement in the area was slow due to its isolation. There are numerous accounts in the Records of the Moravians in North Carolina [3] which related to groups of highwaymen, or bandits, who used the mountains as a refuge throughout the 1750s and 1760s.

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 overdeveloped.[2] 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).[2]

On November 8, 2012, a

prescribed burn of 70 acres got out of control leading to a wildfire on the mountain's steep western slope.[4][5]

In November 27, 2021, a massive wildfire broke out across Pilot Mountain State Park that has since grown to over 300 acres.[6][7]

Recreation

Pilot Mountain State Park is for year-round recreation. Activities at the park include, camping, canoeing, fishing, rock climbing, picnicking, hiking, and environmental education.[8]

The Yadkin River provides opportunities for visitors to the park to fish and canoe. The

North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission. The common game fish are sunfish, catfish and crappie.[8]

A family camping area is on the lower slopes of Pilot Mountain. It has 49 campsites that are open to

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 north side of the park's Yadkin River Section. Canoeists are not permitted to camp on the islands of the river. A designated canoe campsite on the bank is available by reservation by contacting the park office.[8]

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. No drinking water is available in this area. Pit toilets are available.[8]

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.[8] Many miles of trail at Pilot Mountain State Park are open to hiking and horse back riding. Rules and regulations can be obtained at the park offices.[8]

Ecology

The ecology of Pilot Mountain State Park is similar to the ecology of the

pitch pine
trees.

Wildlife consists of animals that are typical to an eastern woodland environment including the American toad, Carolina wren, white-tailed deer, opossums and raccoons.[9] There are often vultures soaring on the updrafts from Pilot Knob, and may be joined by the occasional common raven which are not common east of the Blue Ridge Mountains

Nearby state parks

The following state parks are within 30 miles (48 km) of Pilot Mountain State Park:

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Size of the North Carolina State Parks System" (XLS). North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation. January 1, 2019. Archived from the original on July 21, 2019. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
  2. ^
    North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
    . Retrieved November 21, 2007.
  3. ^ Records of the Moravians in North Carolina, Volume 1 https://archive.org/details/recordsofthemora01frie
  4. ^ Pilot Mountain fire out of control, 100 acres consumed: Wildfire 0 percent contained, began as prescribed burn, WXII-TV, 3:20 PM EST November 9, 2012.
  5. ^ Watts, Kathy Norcross and Hewlett, Michael. "Wildfire burns on Pilot Mountain", Winston-Salem Journal, November 9, 2012.
  6. ^ O'Donnel, Lisa. Fire at Pilot Mountain State Park grows to more than 250 acres November 28, 2021.
  7. ^ Pilot Mountain fire burns over 300 acres while fire crews battle to contain it
  8. ^
    North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
    . Retrieved November 21, 2007.
  9. ^
    North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
    . Retrieved November 21, 2007.

External links