While visiting Mount Airy, a great outdoor thing to do is to explore nearby Pilot Mountain State Park. Another episode has Barney Fife referring to Sheriff Taylor and himself as "the law west of Mount Pilot". It is named for the nearby landmark of Pilot Mountain, a distinctive geological formation. 52 N. to Business 52. This route is a great way to experience all that the area has to offer. So whats stopping you from hitting a hiking trail this weekend at Pilot Mountain? This route will take you through the mountains and give you a chance to see some of the most beautiful scenery in the area. This quaint North Carolina town was Andy Griffiths childhood home and the inspiration for Mayberry in the beloved 1960s sitcom The Andy Griffith Show. The main street store fronts look nice and well kept. The town is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina. They believe sand from this ocean was compressed into sandstone which later formed into quartzite from the effects of long-term heat and pressure. Mayberry, the idyllic hometown made famous on The Andy Griffith Show, has long been considered a fictional place, but the real Mayberry does exist. Wallys was definitely my favorite Mount Airy photo spot. Pilot Mountain rises 1,400 feet above the surrounding land and is visible for many miles. The best route to take when driving from Mayberry to Mount Pilot is to take the scenic route. If you have read our other destination articles like the Ultimate Guide to Yellowstone or Grand Staircase Escalante, youll know I think Visitor Centers are cant-miss destinations. Mayberry is known for its friendly and close-knit community. $136. My favorite waterfall destination is the Magic Valley near Twin Falls Idaho. Once on the parkway, the elevation is more consistent but prepare for the 45 mph speed limit. But how far apart are these two towns? In a song by Rascal Flatts titled "Mayberry", the town is mentioned: "Well I miss Mayberry sitting on the porch drinking ice cold Cherry Coke where everything is black and white.". Mount Pilot does not have any landmarks that are nearly as iconic or well-known as these Mayberry staples. If you want a little more walking, Wallys Service Center is less than half a mile from downtown. In "The Rehabilitation of Otis" and "The Battle of Mayberry" Mayberry is said to be in the northern part of the state. Mount Airy, NC: Andy Griffith's Real-Life Mayberry | VisitNC.com And after a day of hiking at Pilot Mountain, youll want to treat yourself. Hikers can continue another 0.5 miles to the Bean Shoals Canal trail. Miles: 1.5 miles one way Difficulty: moderate Location: Bean Shoals or Hauser Road parking area (GPS coordinates in directions section) Surface Type: uneven natural surfaces with water crossings Blaze Trail Markers: white triangles. Most visitors take pictures from the sidewalk but die-hard fans can rent the house for their Mount Airy trip. Many assume Mayberry was loosely based on Andy Griffith's hometown of Mount Airy, North Carolina, but actually, Griffith has indicated that nearby Pilot Mountain, also in Surry County, North Carolina, inspired him in creating the town. Located 40 minutes northwest of Winston-Salem, Mount Airy has embraced its role with a number of attractions that honor its native son and his show. You will see the Blue Signs that say Visitors Center. Everyone knows each other and looks out for one another. The summit picnic area is also accessible by vehicle if time or fitness levels do not align with hiking the Grindstone. Here are a few of my favorite Andy Griffith t-shirts. Pilot Mountain dominates the skyline for miles so youll know which way to go well before you get there. Miles: 0.1 miles one way Difficulty: easy and short Location: Upper Summit Parking (GPS coordinates in directions section) Surface Type: stone stairs, natural uneven stairs Blaze Trail Markers: none. Check out How to Spend a Perfect Day in Mayberry for ideas of things to do in Mount Airy. Please turn on for a full experience. (Located about 1.5 miles from Mount Airy Visitors Center) Brady Country Christmas - Near Pilot Mountain in the Pinnacle community, Ricky and Nancy Brady have put up Christmas lights and decorations since 1989 at 1776 Bradley Road, Pinnacle. Exhibits about the Siamese twins are at both the Andy Griffith Museum and Mount Airy Museum of Regional History. This is The Chamber of Commerce Building and the Visitors Center is located in the Chamber of Commerce Building at, 200 N. Main Street. Continue with Recommended Cookies, Pilot Mountain is one of 42 North Carolina state park sites. There are some steep slopes along the natural trail surface including rocks, roots and water crossings. If you are short on time, consider hiking another trail at Pilot Mountain and driving up the Little Pinnacles Overlook for great views of Pilot Mountain. The Grindstone Trail provides hiking access to the summit of Pilot Mountain via three approaches, Ledge Spring, Grindstone or Jomeokee. At that point, horses must circle back on the 2-mile loop. However, it is a vacation rental available for nightly rental. If you love National Park sites like the Blue Ridge Parkway, check out our ridiculously detailed guide to the America the Beautiful National Park Pass. Built by her family in 1903, the home is on the National Register of Historic Places. This is a shared hiking and horse trail until it reaches the Yadkin River parking area. One of the stars of the show, Frances Bavier (who played Aunt Bee) retired to Siler City in real life. Visitor information at (800) 948-0949 or www.visitmayberry.com. One episode has a fictional nearby location "Pierce County". Some locations were even used as filming locations for the show. The festival date was chosen to align with the first episode launching on October 3, 1960. Who makes the plaid blue coat Jesse stone wears in Sea Change? If you cant get to Mount Airy, dont worry you can get some cute Andy Griffith gear online. Learn more about us and our Cheap and Cheerful travel style here. However, both the mountain and river park sections offer easy and strenuous trail options. Main Street Mayberry, Andy Griffith Museum, Floyds Barber Shop, Squad Car Tours and the Snappy Lunch Counter are some of the most popular attractions in Mount Airy. There are many attractions in Mount Pilot, NC. However, horses must remain on the bridle trail and cannot cross the railroad tracks. Tours are $40 per person and the cars seat up to 4. Miles: 3.3 miles one way Difficulty: moderate Location: Pilot Creek access (GPS coordinates in directions section) Surface Type: natural surface with water crossings Blaze Trail Markers: orange circles. As a waterfall fanatic, I try to find hikes that lead to water. The answer may surprise you. The town of Pilot Mountain is home to Pilot Mountain State Park, which is a remnant of the ancient Sauratown Mountains. The TRACK hiking trail at Pilot Mountain is 0.3 miles one way. A few of the most popular are:-The Pilot House: This is a historic house that was built in 1853. Mount Pilot is a 15-minute drive from Mayberry. The drive up Pilot Mountain is winding and slow but can easily be done in a few minutes. Bees Bed and Breakfast in Mount Airy has 9.7 stars out of 10 overall and 9.9 stars based on location. Mayberry is a small town with a big heart. It is close enough to Yellowstone National Park to combine the two for an epic road trip. The population of Mayberry is a friendly and welcoming community that is always ready to help out a neighbor in need. The Andy Griffith Museum provides a permanent place for the worlds largest collection of Andy Griffith memorabilia.