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Things To Do

Things To Do

Whether you have a full day or a few hours, find a variety of things to do during your visit at Grandfather Mountain nature park…

Home

NOTICE Purchasing advance tickets online is highly recommended. More info!  The month of April is “Dollar Days” for those who live, work or attend school…

Experiences: Behind-the-Scenes Tours

Experiences: Behind-the-Scenes Tours

For an extra special VIP tour that you will long remember, add on one of our experiences that take you behind-the-scenes with our naturalists and…

What is Grandfather Mountain?

What is Grandfather Mountain?

Grandfather Mountain is a place of amazing biodiversity and scenic beauty that towers 5,946 feet above northwest North Carolina. A part of the United Nations’…

Contact

Contact

Phone Numbers Business Office, weekdays 9-5: 1-800-468-7325 or 828-733-2013FAX: 828-733-2608 For current park hours, go here. Entrance Gate: 828-733-4337 Wilson Center for Nature Discovery: 828-733-1059 Top…

Mile High Swinging Bridge

Mile High Swinging Bridge

One of the top highlights and memories of visits to Grandfather Mountain nature park is walking across the famous Mile High Swinging Bridge. Since 1952,…

Hiking & Walking Trails

Hiking & Walking Trails

Explore trails for all fitness levels on Grandfather Mountain. Our network of nature walks and trails take you through gentle forests and meadows or atop…

East Side Trails

East Side Trails

Note: East Side Trails are accessed from Blue Ridge Parkway. There are two points for accessing the east side trails in the Grandfather Mountain State…

Wildlife Habitats

Wildlife Habitats

Visit to our environmental habitats to see cougars (which no longer live in the wild on Grandfather Mountain), black bears, bald eagles, river otters and…

16 Natural Communities

16 Natural Communities

Grandfather Mountain is home to a world of unique biodiversity, much of which is found no other place on Earth. This distinctive world of flora…

Make a Donation

Make a Donation

By visiting Grandfather Mountain, buying souvenirs, volunteering or making a donation, you help protect this beautiful place for future generations. With your donation, you’re also…

Adopt an Animal

Adopt an Animal

When you adopt an animal through the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, you help enrich the lives of the animals in our care — from Logan…

Endangered Species

Endangered Species

Hundreds of species of plants and animals call Grandfather Mountain home. While some are commonly found and admired, others are rare — not only in…

Highland Games Media Information

Highland Games Media Information

The 67th annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games return to Western North Carolina July 6-9, 2023. Please visit us in the Press Tent during the Highland…

Wildflower Bloom Calendar

Wildflower Bloom Calendar

March April May June July August September March back to top April back to top May back to top June back to top July back…

Directions

Directions

The entrance to Grandfather Mountain is located on U.S. 221, two miles north of Linville, North Carolina, and one mile south of the Blue Ridge…

School Groups

School Groups

Grandfather’s outdoor wonders provide real-world lessons to children and youth about concepts learned in a classroom. We offer citizen science experiences beyond what students find…

Accessibility

Accessibility

When Hugh Morton, the late founder of Grandfather Mountain, inherited the mountain in 1952, he aspired to make one of the East Coast’s most rugged…

Area Information

Area Information

Grandfather Mountain is located in the High Country of Western North Carolina, adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway. We are surrounded by fun and friendly…

FAQs

FAQs

1. What is included with admission? Paid admission includes many things to do! At the Wilson Center for Nature Discover, find exhibits about the mountain,…

Birding

Birding

Grandfather Mountain towers above its surrounding region with a 1,500-foot vertical drop into the Linville River Valley to the west and a 4,000-foot vertical drop…

Backcountry Hiking

Backcountry Hiking

Grandfather Mountain has 11 trails varying in difficulty from a gentle walk in the woods to a rigorous trek across rugged peaks. It is in…

Profile Trail

Profile Trail

The 3.6-mile Profile Trail begins at the Grandfather Mountain State Park parking area on N.C. Highway 105 near Sugar Mountain (4198 NC Hwy 105 N,…

Grandfather Trail

Grandfather Trail

The literal pinnacle of hikes on Grandfather Mountain is the challenging, strenuous Grandfather Trail across the crest of its three peaks of MacRae, Attic Window…

Keeper For A Day

Keeper For A Day

Learn how to care for the animals, clean up, and prepare food. Spend your morning shadowing keepers and observing animal behavior and the inner workings…

Weather Records

Weather Records

The official U.S. Weather Service Reporting Station located at the Grandfather Mountain Mile High Swinging Bridge (elevation 5,280 ft) has been providing daily weather observations…

Guided Hikes

Guided Hikes

If you are an avid hiker and want to deep dive into the natural wonders on Grandfather Mountain, explore one of our hiking trails with…

Weather

Weather

Grandfather Mountain has some of the most extreme and quick changing weather on the east coast. Temperatures are usually 10-15 degrees cooler than the foothills…

Adult Groups

Adult Groups

At Grandfather Mountain, everyone can experience natural wonders found nowhere else on Earth — and sometimes they’re even more awe-inspiring when you enjoy them with…

Youth Groups

Youth Groups

Grandfather Mountain is definitely a fun place for youth groups to explore – including Scouts trips, YMCA groups, summer camps, Park and Recreation outings, Boys…

Grandfather Mountain | Home to the Swinging Bridge, Animal Habitats and Nature Museum

GPS: 2050 Blowing Rock Highway, Linville, NC 28646
Mailing: PO Box 129, Linville, NC 28646
1-800-468-7325

Owned & operated by Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation.
Go here for Grandfather Mountain State Park information.
Member of Southern Highlands Attractions