Pilot Mountain State Park’s Bean Shoals Access, located along the north side of the Yadkin River, will be closed beginning Feb. 5 through the end of 2024, the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation announced. The access will undergo a construction project to improve access, followed by a stream restoration project.
“We are very excited for this important project to address the years-long issues at Bean Shoals Access,” said Kathy Capps, deputy director of operations at N.C. State Parks. “We appreciate the public’s patience with the necessary closure, but we think it will result in major improvements to the visitor experience and the protection of natural resources along the Yadkin River.”
Visiting Bean Shoals Access by vehicle currently requires crossing Horne Creek three times, presenting safety challenges for low-clearance vehicles. After periods of heavy rain, the increased water levels make it dangerous for any vehicle to cross, blocking all vehicular access to the north side of the park’s river section until water levels recede. To address these hazards, the construction project will add three culvert bridges over the creek. It will also add a scenic overlook pavilion with views of the river and a parking area.
Decades of vehicles fording through creek waters have negatively impacted the water quality of Horne Creek and the Yadkin River. Adding bridges will help prevent automotive fluid and other contaminants from flowing into the creek, and the entire project will help mitigate damage to the stream habitat. After the construction additions, work crews will come in to restore 1,500 feet of stream that has been impaired by streambank erosion and the wear and tear caused by past crossings.
Surry County is funding the project through a $3.6 million grant from the state of North Carolina.
“This much-needed project will contribute to the conservation of the Yadkin River watershed, while still allowing visitors to access hiking and equestrian trails, fishing, the historic remnants of the Bean Shoals Canal, and beautiful views of the river and the Yadkin Islands,” said Pilot Mountain State Park Superintendent Jason Anthony.
During construction, the access will be closed to all visitors, including pedestrians. The Corridor Trail and the parking area at 622 Hauser Road in Pinnacle will remain open, but the Yadkin Islands Trail that connects the Hauser Road parking area to the Bean Shoals Access entrance will be closed. The Ivy Bluff Access along the southern bank of the river will also remain open for riverside hiking, fishing, paddling on the Yadkin River State Trail, and paddle-in camping.
About North Carolina State Parks
North Carolina State Parks manages more than 250,000 acres of iconic landscape within North Carolina’s state parks, state recreation areas and state natural areas. It administers the N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, including its local grants program, as well as a state trails program, North Carolina Natural and Scenic Rivers and more, all with a mission dedicated to conservation, recreation and education. The state parks system welcomes more than 19 million visitors annually.
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.
The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the N.C. Zoo, the N.C Symphony, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit https://www.dncr.nc.gov.