There are several trails near Pilot Rock which can be accessed via a forest road that ends at a parking lot approximately northwest of the rock. The main trail, part of the Pacific Crest Trail, travels southeast towards the rock for about , before branching into two trails. The left branch is the northbound continuation of the Pacific Crest Trail, while the right fork is the summit trail. The steep summit trail is about long, and gains approximately in elevation. At the summit, there are views of landmarks such as Mount Shasta, the Trinity Alps, and Mount McLoughlin.