Summer Offerings
Join us this summer on the mountain with days filled with daily programs, special experiences, picnics, hiking, events and new offerings.
Check out these ways that you can explore and learn at Grandfather Mountain this summer season.
NEW: Yonni’s Clubhouse
On April 4, Grandfather Mountain opened a new facility for young explorers, making use of and renovating the former Fudge Shop space. The science and conservation education center, called Yonni’s Clubhouse, is geared toward children ages 5 to 12 and features many hands-on, interactive exhibits that appeal to the young — and the young at heart. Yonni’s Clubhouse is currently open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
In addition to the new indoor space, there is a new, ADA-accessible path behind the building called Jada and Mila’s Discovery Trail. This trail connects the facility’s covered deck and new pollinator and sensory gardens with interactive exhibits and interpretive signage that reinforce and expand upon the indoor exhibits’ concepts.
NEW: Paint With a Bear
Returning this year, Paint With a Bear offers life-long memories by watching one of the park’s resident bears create a painting. On this tour, one of the park’s guides will escort participants to a behind-the-scenes area, where bears often interact with their keepers, and introduce the bear.
Then, the group selects an assortment of nontoxic paint colors for the guide to spray on the ground along with sheets of paper inside the bear holding area. From a safe distance behind a fence, the group can watch the bear walk and paint for a few minutes to create one-of-a-kind paintings. After the bear is finished painting, each participant selects the painting they like the best to take home.
NEW: Accessible Viewfinders
New in 2026, there are now two sets of free, ADA-accessible viewfinders on the mountain. One set is at Half Moon Overlook, and the other is near the Mile High Swinging Bridge. These special viewfinders allow people with color blindness to see and experience the natural world in a new way through EnChroma’s patented lens technology.
EnChroma’s lens format and filter design are modified for the viewfinders’ high-power zoom optics, creating a vibrant scene for those who are color blind. Colorblind individuals may only see about 10% of the hues and shades that color-sighted individuals do, so these viewfinders provide a vibrant opportunity for all.
Beat the Heat
In summer, Grandfather Mountain is the perfect place to escape the warmer weather in the surrounding regions. Temperatures are usually 10-15 degrees cooler than the foothills below, and, on most days, there is at least a slight breeze.
The warmest temperature ever recorded near the Mile High Swinging Bridge is 83 degrees Fahrenheit, and average highs for the months of July and August are around 70 degrees.
Summer visits to Grandfather offer a refreshing adventure, whether it includes hiking one of the mountain’s trails, enjoying a picnic at an overlook or strolling around the animal habitats.
Daily Programs
During the summer months and continuing through Nov. 8, Grandfather Mountain’s talented team of educators offers daily programs, included with the price of admission, to showcase the natural wonders of the mountain. These programs include favorites such as Keeper Talks, Animal Encounters, Random Acts of Science and more.
Experiences
Now through Nov. 1, Grandfather Mountain will offer special experiences, available at an additional cost. Experiences are in-depth explorations of areas and activities off display to guests led by the mountain’s naturalists and habitat keepers, and they include Meet-the-Bears Tours, Behind-the-Scenes Tours and more.
Events
From classic annual events to newer event series, there is always something fun to look forward to at Grandfather Mountain.
Notable this season are some exciting Grandfather Presents speakers and adult field courses, as well as Animal Enrichment Day, Junior Naturalist Day, the 55th-Annual Girl Scout Day and more. Back by popular demand is a Sunrise at the Swinging Bridge event in August.
Check out all of our upcoming events.
