Pilot Mountain State Park — Attraction in King

Upon the cradle of Earth, where whispers of history intertwine, stands Pilot Mountain, a guardian sentinel divine. Its quartzite knob, rising over 2,000 feet, has been a steadfast beacon through the mists of time, guiding wanderers lost and weary, their spirits to uplift and align.

In the company of dear friends, we embarked on a pilgrimage to this sacred place, during the celestial ballet of a solar eclipse. Native Americans and early settlers once relied upon Pilot Mountain to navigate their journeys, just as we sought its embrace for solace and communion with the heavens.

As we ascended its lofty heights, doubt cast its shadow upon us, thickening like the clouds that obscured the sun. Yet hope persisted, a flickering ember amidst the uncertainty, urging us forward with unwavering faith.

Amidst the gathering clouds, black buzzards circled the mountaintop, their solemn flight a harbinger of both mortality and renewal. Their graceful arcs spoke volumes of life's cyclical nature, of death and rebirth intertwined in the eternal dance of existence.

Then, as if summoned by some unseen force, a hawk soared overhead, its cry piercing the veil of doubt and illuminating the path ahead. In its majestic flight, there was a declaration of dominion over the vast expanse of the universe, a reminder of our interconnectedness with all things.

As the clouds parted, revealing the sun in its dwindling glory, the eclipse reached its zenith, casting a fleeting shadow upon the earth. In that moment, we witnessed the ephemeral beauty of the celestial alignment, a testament to the enduring majesty of the cosmos.

And then, as swiftly as they had come, the black buzzards took flight, their departure marking the end of the eclipse. The hawk, too, vanished into the ether, leaving behind only echoes of its presence.

In the quiet aftermath, amidst the fading light of the eclipse, we stood in awe of the universe's marvels, grateful for the fleeting glimpse of its mysteries. And as we bid farewell to our friends and embarked on our journey homeward, we carried with us the memories of a day spent in the company of loved ones, under the watchful gaze of the heavens.

By: Thomas...

11/2/24 IMPORTANT - Depending on how busy it is, you may need to wait for hours or not allowed to enter. Plan accordingly.

Visiting this park after a few years. It was a Saturday and with the fall colors, super crowded. I got to the park around 11am and was not allowed to enter because all the parking lots were overflowing. So i drove to a nearby restaurant, had lunch and came back around 12:30 pm. This time, cars were allowed to enter the visitor center parking lot but not to the summit. The road to summit opens only a few times during the day(time is mentioned at visitor center) as people leaves the park. From the visitor center, there is a shuttle that takes you to the summit but this is only every 20 mins or so. Also this is a super tiny shuttle and pets are not allowed. So i had to wait like an hour to get the shuttle.

Once i reached the summit, I did the 0.8mile Pilot knob trail and this took about 30mins. It was a beautiful day and the colors were amazing. Glad to see that the trails were still nicely maintained. Had to wait for the shuttle again and the line was not too bad this time. So if you’re going on weekends, i would definitely go super early or later in the day. The last shuttle from the summit is at 5pm and all vehicles have to leave the park before 7pm. The shuttle system needs to be more efficient imo. At least one more shuttle on weekends can help save a few hours. There also needs to be an overflow parking...

Pilot Mountain is a wonderful natural landscape to visit and explore. The state has done a great job of ensure visitor safety by blocking off areas with serious erosion and placing signs to warn of this danger throughout the park. There are so many places to capture beautiful views of overhead and down below and as far out as the eye can see. Those with mobility issues that require a scooter or wheelchair or any type of mobility assistance such as these will not be able to enjoy the higher altitudes but there are a few spots near the parking lot that would allow for a limited view of the area. Even with hiking boots or other types of sturdy walking shoes, hiking sticks or stability canes are a great idea while trekking up and down the trails. The trails are all rather rough with very uneven surfaces full of rocks and stones and gravel with wind blown sticks and tree debris. I would not recommend coming with infants. Toddlers that are walking pretty well may enjoy it but it is not very easy maneuvering so there will be lots of hand-holding with the little ones. I would even recommend those with breathing issues to take precautions due to the rough walking conditions and elevation. We really enjoyed ourselves and we did not even get to the trails leading up to the actual dome shaped peak of Pilot Mountain. However, there is an overlook across from it where there are great spots to take pictures. My family...