Yadkin Valley Visitors Guide

WHAT TO DO YADKIN VALLEY ATTRACTIONS parks & nature centers Armfield Civic Center/Nelson Acres Armfield is home to a park and trails area in Pilot Mountain, NC. Located on-site are baseball and softball fields, a playground, picnic shelter, paved walking track, an amphitheater, hiking trails, and an 18-hole disc golf course. 873W. 52 Bypass, Pilot Mountain, NC 27041 336-368- 2012, armfieldcenter.com Blue Ridge Parkway Mountains to Sea Trail Passing right through Elkin, this state wide trail travels along Big Elkin Creek into Downtown Elkin and heads West to Pilot Mountain State Park. mountainstoseatrail.org Pilot Mountain State Park

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For centuries, Pilot Mountain served as a landmark for Native Americans, early explorers and settlers, and mi- grating wildlife.This iconic peak is the most recognizable mountain in North Carolina and it forms the centerpiece of Pilot Mountain State Park. Rising to an elevation of 2,421 feet, this solitary quartzite mountain, part of the ancient Sauratown Mountain Range, was dedicated as a National Natural Landmark and serves as a beacon for hikers, rock climbers, and nature lovers.The park offers camping, hiking trails, picnic areas, rock climbing for those with necessary equipment and permits, and special events each week throughout the year including guided hikes. 1792 Pilot Knob Park Rd, Pinnacle, NC 27043 336-325- 2355, ncparks.gov/pilot-mountain- state-park Riverside Park Riverside Park located on the banks of the Ararat River, only 3 blocks from Downtown Mount Airy.The park features the multi-purpose, paved Ararat River Greenway Trail; a canoe launch; green space; picnic shelters; a large playground; restrooms; and a soccer field.The park also features an outdoor Skateboard Park.The Ararat River along the Greenway Trail is a hatchery supported and Delayed Harvest Trout Stream. 350 Riverside Drive, Mount Airy, NC 27030 336-786- 8313, mountairy.org Westwood Park Westwood Park in Mount Airy is a wooded site with na- ture trails, two lighted ballfields, playground equipment, fitness stations, a nine-hole disc golf course, mountain bike trails, a community fishing pond, picnic shelters, and restrooms. 1250 Galax Trail, Mount Airy, NC 27030 336-786- 8313, mountairy.org cycling Rural nature makes Surry County ideal for cycling a long-distance ride along back-roads or a bike trail. Mountain-bike facilities are available in two public parks. Other nearby destinations for cyclists are the Blue Ridge Parkway in northern Surry and NC’s Mountains- to- Sea Trail (MST) that stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Tennessee border. Surry County offers a Scenic Bikeway which provides over 470 miles of bike routes along rural Surry County roads, challenging all levels of cyclists.Ararat River Greenway / Emily B. Taylor Greenway – Mount Airy’s two Greenway Trails are linked together to offer a 7 mile (one way), 14 mile round-trip, paved multipurpose trail.Ararat River Gre- enway Trial length is 2.2 miles, one way.This is a paved, multi-purpose trail that runs along the Ararat River between Riverside Park and Tharrington Park. 336-786- 8313, mountairy.org

The parkway can be accessed from Surry for those who want to drive along all or a portion of the 469 mi. of outstanding scenery. Folks can relax and enjoy picnic areas, trails, lodging, shopping, majestic views, historic sites and visitor’s centers. Cumberland Knob, a recreation area along the parkway and located in Surry County, is where ground was broken for construction of

the parkway in the 1930’s. www.blueridgeparkway.org Carolina Ziplines

Located east of Mount Airy, Carolina Ziplines offers the adventurous souls a thrilling opportunity to soar through the forest treetops high above the forest floor. The canopy tour involves traversing from one platform to another along a steel cable suspended up to 50 feet above the forest floor and spanning distances of 100 to 1,000 feet. 1085 Nickell Farm Road,Westfield, NC 27053 336.972.7656, carolinaziplines.com Cody Creek Located just south of Dobson, Cody Creek is a rustic, stylish destination featuring The Depot Restaurant, Cody Creek General Store,The Cabins at Cody Creek, theWedding Chapel at Cody Creek, and a 250-seat banquet facility. 112 Old Depot Lane, Dobson, NC 27017 336-386- 4627 Dobson Town Square Park The park features a playground, a walking trail, fitness stations, an amphitheater, two picnic shelters, and a splash pad.A farmer’s market is held at Dobson Town Square Park from May through October along with other special events during the year. 336-356-8962, dobson-nc.com Elkin Municipal Park The park rests along the banks of the Big Elkin Creek and is a starting point for Elkin’s walking trails. It is also a through-point on the Mountains-To- Sea Trail.The park features a seasonal outdoor pool, tennis courts, play- ground, picnic shelters, and a bandshell, as well as wi-fi. 399 NC Hwy 268, Elkin, NC 28621 336-794- 6478 Fisher River Park Located on the banks of the Fisher River, Surry County’s Fisher River park offers a walking trail, playgrounds, picnic shelters, a horse arena, an amphitheater, baseball & softball fields, a basketball court, a horseshoe pit, a soccer field, volleyball court, and a mountain bike trail. 251 County Home Road, Dobson, NC 27017 336-401- 8235, co.surry.nc.us

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