Grandfather Mountain, Nature on a Whole Different Level
Mile High Swinging BridgeWildlife HabitatsNature Walks & Hiking TrailsConservation & InterpretationPlanning Your VisitCalendar of Events

About Grandfather Mountain

Hi Res Photos

All photographs here are available for free download and publication to accompany articles in newspapers and magazines. These images may not be sold to any party, and may not be used in brochures, advertisements or other commercial context. To request any of these images as tif files, contact us by email (cmorton@grandfather.com), or call 800-468-7325.

To capture the hi res image: Double click on the underscored, blue link which identifies the photo you wish to capture. That will open the image. After the image is fully opened, right click (for MAC, control click) on the image and save it to your hard drive.

swinging_bridge.jpg
photo by Hugh Morton (1 MB)

The Mile High Swinging Bridge was built in 1952 and renovated in 1999. The bridge rests 5,300 feet above sea level and 80 feet above the ground.

Rhodo1.jpg
photo by Hugh Morton (1.65 MB)

Late May and early June bring showy blooms to Catawba rhododendron at Grandfather Mountain, NC.

BridgeAerial.jpg
photo by Hugh Morton (2.8 MB)

Surveys show that the main reason people visit Grandfather Mountain is to enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery. The second is to cross the famous Mile High Swinging Bridge.

bald_eagle.jpg
photo by Hugh Morton (248 KB)

Grandfather Mountain features natural habitats where guests can see and photograph native wildlife such as eagles, bears, cougars, otters, and deer in their natural situations from close range.

viaduct_s.jpg
photo by Hugh Morton (.56 MB)

The Linn Cove Viaduct carries the Blue Ridge Parkway across Grandfather Mountain.

Grandfather Taril

hiking_grandfather_trail.jpg
photo by Hugh Morton (1.3 MB)

Crossing Grandfather's ridges on the Grandfather Trail is a rigorous challenge that takes hikers in and out of wind-dwarfed spruce and fir, across or around rock walls and pinnacles, and into open spaces with views of mountains unfurling in every direction. The pay-off is the chance to tackle rugged, rocky terrain found nowhere else in the Southeast ...and to see the view from the top of the Blue Ridge.


Click here to see fall photos.
Click here to see winter photos.

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What People Say…

"We have visited Grandfather Mountain many times. Every visit offers something different, unique, and proves to be an adventure no other place offers. We love everything about the mountain and only wish we could visit more often."

Carolyn & Kenneth

Walnut Cove, NC