Grandfather Mountain, Nature on a Whole Different Level

December at Grandfather Mountain Means Dollar Days For High Country Residents

Participate in our December Dollar Days Food Drive! This December instead of paying $1 in cash for admission to Grandfather Mountain with proof of local employment or residency, you can choose to donate 1-2 cans of food per person to our December Food Drive. All donations will be distributed to High Country Food Pantries.

winter viewGRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN, NC --All those that work and reside in the six High Country counties, along with guests traveling in the same vehicle, are invited to visit Grandfather Mountain for $1 during the month of December with proof of local employment or residency.

The special December Dollar Days $1 admission is offered to residents and those working in the six counties represented by the NC High Country Host regional travel promotion organization: Mitchell, Avery, Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany and Wilkes. The discount is also extended to students of colleges and universities in the High Country and to guests traveling in the same vehicle with those eligible for the December discount. Please present a driver's license, college ID, or local utility bill as proof of High Country residency. An employee identification badge or pay stub can be used to show employment at a High Country business.

"We are all very thankful for the relationship that the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation has with the surrounding community," said Executive Director Penn Dameron.

Due to a shortage of donations and an immediate need at food banks, Grandfather Mountain is once again adding an extra way for those who work and reside in the High Country to take advantage of the December Dollar Days.

This December instead of paying $1 in cash for admission to Grandfather Mountain with proof of local employment or residency, you can choose to donate 1-2 cans of food per person for Grandfather’s December Food Drive. All donations will be distributed to High Country food pantries.

"We encourage everyone who wants to take advantage of our Dollar Days offer to donate cans of food as the price of admission. This will double the benefit to the community," said Dameron.

Many regular visitors believe that winter is the most beautiful season at Grandfather, and what better time to see the beauty than the time of year when traffic has slowed down. Visitors can expect to see 360 degree views from the Mile High Swinging Bridge that seem to go on forever.

Although the bears will be hibernating in December, the Mountain has four other animal exhibits where guests can see and photograph cougars, river otters, a golden eagle and white-tailed deer from close range in their natural surroundings.

fudge shop

The Nature Museum is a cozy place to duck into for a break from the chill. Mildred’s Grill offers homemade vegetable soup and chili, as well as salads and sandwiches. Just down the path, Grandfather's Fudge Shop has 20 savory flavors to choose from including peppermint stick, pumpkin pie and black forest cake.

Another great opportunity while visiting the park during the winter is to visit the Mountain’s gift shops. Many holiday presents for all age ranges can be found among the dozens of memorable items and collectibles stocked in the gift shops especially for the winter months.

A good way to get some fresh air during a visit to Grandfather is to walk on the Bridge Trail. The four-tenths-mile path makes a gradual climb from the Hikers' parking area to the temporary Top Shop, traversing through rhododendron thickets and past massive rock formations before crossing under the Mile High Swinging Bridge. Also departing the Hikers’ Parking Area is the Black Rock Nature Trail that runs out a mile and back through northern hardwood and spruce forests.

The Mountain is open every day in December except Christmas Day, weather permitting. The hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with ticket sales ending at 4 p.m. For current weather conditions, phone the Entrance gate at 828-733-4337.

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