Pilot Creek trail at Pilot Mountain State Park

Type of Outing: Hike
When: SUN 5/10/2026 1:00 PM
Signup Deadline: 5/9/2026 5:00 pm
Leader: Joan Heiss
Distance: 7 miles
Difficulty: R-16, Easy
Elevation Gain: 900 ft.
Description: Join me for an out-and-back 7 mile, moderately easy hike along Pilot Creek Trail at Pilot Mountain State Park. From the trailhead parking lot on Boyd Nelson Road we will take the Pilot Creek Trail for 3.6 miles and then pick up part of the Grindstone Trail for another ½ mile to the old Rangers Station where we will have a snack. We will then retrace our steps back to the parking lot on Boyd Nelson Road. Directions to trailhead: Take I-40 to Rt. 52 North. Head north on Rt. 52, passing Exit 132 for Pilot State Park. Exit at 134, going around the roundabouts, and head west on NC-268 for 0.2 miles. Turn left onto Shoals Rd. Go about 0.5 miles and turn left onto Boyd Nelson Rd. Look for the parking lot up the hill on the right. The physical address of the parking lot is: 301-303 Boyd Nelson Rd, Pinnacle, NC 27043.
Required Gear: Snacks and water