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

PLanning Your Visit

Reasons to Visit

Grandfather Mountain is:

  • The highest peak in the Blue Ridge Mountain range (elevation 5,964 ft)
  • The Mountain is privately owned and is operated as
  • a scenic travel attraction
  • a globally recognized nature preserve

One ticket price includes everything:

Guests purchase tickets (one ticket per person) and drive their own vehicles through the park, stopping along the way to enjoy a variety of activities.

Main Attractions

  • Beautiful mountain scenery
  • Mile High Swinging Bridge
  • Environmental Habitats for native wildlife
  • Black Bears, Bear cubs, River Otters, Cougars, Eagles and Deer
  • Nature Museum
  • excellent exhibits about the natural history of the region
  • theater that shows nature movies made on the Mountain
  • restaurant and gift shop
  • South's best alpine hiking trails
  • More than 12 miles of regularly maintained trails ranging in difficulty from easy nature walks to strenuous backcountry challenges.
  • Picnicking
  • Over 100 picnic tables and grills are scattered throughout the park. The picnic area located on the right about 1/3 mile up the summit road is equipped with a water fountain and restrooms.
  • Guests are welcome to bring their own picnic. Those who have not planned ahead can purchase fried chicken or sandwiches to go from the Museum restaurant.
  • Naturalist Programs
  • special activities, programs and guided tours with the Mountain's naturalist are available for an additional fee

Special Events

  • Nature Photography Weekend ( weekend after Memorial Day)
  • Singing on the Mountain all day gospel sing (4 th Sunday in June)
  • The Grandfather Mountain Highland Games & Gathering of the Scottish Clans (2 nd full weekend in July)
  • Professional and Amateur Camera Clinic (third weekend in August)

 
Photos, Virtual Tours & More…Get the Monthly NewsletterTell Us About Your ExperienceSend an E-card to a Friend
 
What People Say…

" I recently visited Grandfather Mountain and had a wonderful time! The animals were active and the mountains were beautiful. I must admit that I thought the photos on the website were the 'best' of the mountain, but they are nothing in comparison to what you see when you are actually at the mountain. I have been telling everyone that they must go for a visit. I will admit that I was a afraid to cross the Swinging Bridge, but I'm going back next year to finally cross it! "

Angela

Chapel Hill, NC