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Pilot
Mountain
State Park
The tour can be started at any point, but we'll begin with one of North
Carolina's iconic views – Pilot Mountain. This solitary peak
is a National Natural Landmark, rising above NC 52 roughly two-thirds
of the way from Winston-Salem to Mayberry – I mean, Mount
Airy. Pilot
Mountain State Park is
comprised of two sections connected by a 7-mile hiking trail. The main
section features the famous peak with opportunities for fantastic
views, hiking, horseback trails, and rock climbing while enjoying the
rhododendrons and ravens. The other end of the park is on the Yadkin
River where you can launch your canoe or kayak on the gentle portion of
the river. You can also learn about the history of the area by visiting
the adjacent state historic site – Home
Creek Farm.
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Hanging
Rock State Park
Pilot Mountain is one of two state parks in the ancient Sauratown
Mountains which lie east of the Blue Ridge. Next up is a 40-minute
drive to the other park – Hanging
Rock State Park.
Or you can walk or horseback ride the 20-plus scenic miles of the
Sauratown Trail (part of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail) between
the parks. Hanging Rock is known for its steep cliffs, waterfalls, and
great views. Go fishing, rent a canoe, climb the rock face, camp, tour
the exhibit hall, hike the many trails, and swim in the lake. Wade in
the pool under the Lower Cascades Falls and check out Window Falls.
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Mayo
River State Park
Next, take NC 89 S, turn right on Shepherd Mill Rd, right again on
Phillips Rd, then continue on State Rd 772 and follow it until you
reach NC 704. Head east on NC 704 for 10 miles to Madison. Turn left on
US 220 Bus N (2nd Ave). The entrance to
the Mayo Mountain Access area of Mayo
River State Park
is less than 3 miles away on the left. This park area was part of an
old mill community and company park. Several historic buildings built
by an architect who studied under Frank Lloyd Wright have been restored
or re-created. There are trails to hike and a pond for fishing. And
it's a great spot for a picnic. The Mayo River flows south from
Virginia into a undeveloped park area on the state border, giving the
paddler a great stretch of river to run before the dam near Mayo
Mountain.
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Haw
River State Park
To reach Haw
River State Park take US 220
Bus N until it merges with US 220, then follow it south for 14 miles
towards Greensboro. Exit onto US 158 E, and after 11 miles turn right
at Cunningham Rd. Make another right onto Spearman Rd and follow it to
the park entrance. This is the site of the Summit Center, an
environmental education and conference center that offers summer camps,
including one for junior rangers. It may also be rented by other groups
for meetings or conferences. Contact the park for information. Several
types of lodges, cabins, and hotel-style facilities are available. The
grounds include a wetland trail, forest, meadows, tennis courts, and a
lake for fishing and canoe training. The Summit is for event attendees
only. Other sections of the park are being developed with additional
park facilities as defined in a 2010 master plan.
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Triad
To return to Pilot Mountain State Park
or the Triad cities, drive south on Spearman Rd. When you reach NC 150,
you can either head east and take US 29 S to Greensboro or High Point
and enjoy their museums, restaurants and shopping, or head west on NC
150 towards Winston-Salem to sample its arts and culinary palate. To
reach Pilot Mountain, follow NC 150 west for 21 miles until it merges
with I-40 Bus W / US 421 N in Kernersville. After 10 miles drive north
on US 52 toward Mount Airy. It's 22 miles to the Pilot Mountain exit,
but you'll see it long before that. There's a scenic overlook on NC 52
where you can pull off and photograph one of the most popular images of
North Carolina.
Major towns near the
tour
offering food and lodging include: Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and
Mount Airy. You can use one of these as your home base and
enjoy each of the parks during your stay. Be sure to also check out the
area for historic sites, museums, golf courses, craft shops, and
outdoor recreation.
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