Grandfather Mountain

Grandfather Mountain Cross the famous Mile High Swinging Bridge, photograph native wildlife in natural habitats and hike some of the South's finest alpine trails.
(6653)

Located in northwest NC. Grandfather's lofty heights offer guests opportunities for rejuvenation, excitement and family memories in a natural haven that will endure forever. Marvel at 360-degree views from the Mile High Swinging Bridge, stand eye-to-eye with native wildlife in natural habitats and interact with our friendly, knowledgeable staff. Please note that ticket sales stop one hour before the park closes.

07/23/2026

EXPERIENCE SPOTLIGHT: Paint With a Bear

Paint With a Bear has returned as one of Grandfather Mountain's special add-on experiences, available to book on weekends through Nov. 1!

Perfect for animal and art lovers, this experience lets you meet one of the mountain's resident bears and then watch the bear walk and paint 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.

This tour has an accessible option when booked in advance, and families are welcome!

This experience has so much to offer! Learn more and book yours at grandfather.com/paint-with-bear.

🎥: GMSF

07/22/2026

We are ONE WEEK away from our annual Animal Enrichment Day, where you can check out this year's Conservation Through Colors Tables!

All proceeds from the animal painting sales at the tables this year will go to the Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that focuses on protecting and improving species numbers, diversity and habitats. Grandfather Mountain is within the bounds of one of the organization’s priority conservation areas, so this conservation cause is especially relevant.

The event, included with park admission, is centered around animal enrichments — special treats, new toys or even unfamiliar scents are given to the animals to break up their routines and help keep them active and intellectually stimulated.

Learn more at grandfather.com/event/animal-enrichment-day.

📸: GMSF

Julia Taylor Morton passed away peacefully, in the loving presence of family on July 20. She was 100 years old. Julia, t...
07/21/2026

Julia Taylor Morton passed away peacefully, in the loving presence of family on July 20. She was 100 years old.

Julia, the wife of the the late Hugh Morton, will be remembered for her spirit, grace and stewardship of Grandfather Mountain. Her family remembers her as warm and friendly and as a beautiful, refined lady.

Morton’s greatest legacy perhaps came to be in 2009, after the death of her husband, when she led the creation of the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. By contributing sole ownership of the tourist attraction via a donation of the only remaining share of Grandfather Mountain, her generosity changed the Mortons’ family business into a not-for-profit organization that continues to make Grandfather Mountain accessible to the public while investing its resources in education, conservation and preservation of the natural world. Morton’s generosity permanently protects Grandfather’s wonders for the people of N.C. and beyond.

To learn more about the life and legacy of Julia Taylor Morton, visit www.grandfather.com/juliamorton.

📸: 1 courtesy of the North Carolina Collection at UNC Libraries; 2 courtesy of the Morton Family; 3, 4, 5 courtesy of Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation

Looking for a gift for the animal lover in your life? Consider symbolically adopting one of our resident animals!Adoptin...
07/21/2026

Looking for a gift for the animal lover in your life? Consider symbolically adopting one of our resident animals!

Adopting an animal is a great way to stay connected to the mountain, all while supporting a great cause.

Since the founding of the nonprofit Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation in 2009, Adopt-an-Animal funds have gone to upgrading the habitats in which these animals live — and to purchase treats, toys and other enrichments to give the animals something fun and different to liven up their day.

Check out this special program at grandfather.com/adopt.

📸: Sarah Sandag

ON SALE NOW: Tickets are live for The Birds of Grandfather Mountain: The Wonders of Migration, a field course designed f...
07/20/2026

ON SALE NOW: Tickets are live for The Birds of Grandfather Mountain: The Wonders of Migration, a field course designed for adults!

Anyone seeking knowledge on the science of migration and technology unlocking the secrets of bird movement should attend. This course provides the opportunity to visit several locations on the mountain to learn about the diversity of migrants, the timing and mechanics of migration, and hopefully see dozens of species using Grandfather as a staging area on their long flights to Central and South America.

This workshop will be led by Steve Dowlan, a retired natural resource specialist with the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. He has been a N.C. High Country resident since 2016 and is currently working on an independent study on common mergansers on the Watauga River.

Reserve your spot at grandfather.com/event/adult-field-course-birds-of-grandfather-migration.

📸: GMSF

Happy National Zookeeper Week!We are always thankful for our talented, hardworking team of habitat keepers. Without them...
07/19/2026

Happy National Zookeeper Week!

We are always thankful for our talented, hardworking team of habitat keepers. Without them, our resident animals would not be able to comfortably live out their lives at Grandfather Mountain.

Each of our resident animals were either orphaned or injured in the wild or born into captivity before arriving at Grandfather, thus unfit for release into the wild. Our keepers provide care and enrichments for these animals, all while educating guests about what makes each species unique and special.

Learn more at grandfather.com/visit/things-to-do/wildlife-habitats.

📸: GMSF

Beat the heat at Grandfather Mountain!Temperatures on the mountain are usually 10-15 degrees cooler than the foothills b...
07/18/2026

Beat the heat at Grandfather Mountain!

Temperatures on the mountain are usually 10-15 degrees cooler than the foothills below. 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.

At our highest elevations, many guests are still comfortable in long sleeves on cool summer mornings, as seen in this recent photo!

Book your visit at grandfather.com/tickets.

📸: Pranjali Patel

Tickets are on sale now for another Grandfather by Night: Naturalist Program on Friday, Sept. 18!This event is perfect f...
07/17/2026

Tickets are on sale now for another Grandfather by Night: Naturalist Program on Friday, Sept. 18!

This event is perfect for anyone interested in the Grandfather by Night series who does not wish to embark on a night hike. This version of the series allows guests to experience a stunning Grandfather sunset (weather permitting) and an interpretive program from our skilled naturalists about flora, fauna, folklore and more! The Naturalist Program is accessible for those in a wheelchair or with limited mobility.

These events sell out fast, so reserve your spot at grandfather.com/event/by-night9.

📸: Leslie Restivo Photography | GMSF

Did you know? Our natural resources technicians are tracking eastern red-backed salamanders through the SPARCnet program...
07/16/2026

Did you know? Our natural resources technicians are tracking eastern red-backed salamanders through the SPARCnet program as an indicator of ecosystem health at Grandfather.

After establishing a baseline population in 2025, staff found 48 red-backed salamanders this year, 36 of which were re-captures from last year!

The total captured population saw a decline in numbers from last year, but the team believes many of the salamanders have burrowed due to the dry conditions this spring. If the soil can retain moisture during the summer and fall, the technicians expect to see an increased number.

To see more of our team's conservation work to support unique ecology, visit grandfather.com/ecology.

📸: GMSF

Animal Enrichment Day is in TWO WEEKS! Are you paws-itively excited?Come see firsthand how our habitat keepers care for ...
07/15/2026

Animal Enrichment Day is in TWO WEEKS! Are you paws-itively excited?

Come see firsthand how our habitat keepers care for our resident animals at this event, included with park admission! Activities kick off at the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery and adjacent Wildlife Habitats.

An enrichment is a special treat, new toy or even an unfamiliar scent given to the animals to break up their routines and help keep them active and intellectually stimulated. At this event, you can watch enrichment demonstrations, talk directly with keepers and participate in family-oriented games and crafts. You can even help create animal enrichments, as seen in these photos!

Check out the day's schedule at grandfather.com/event/animal-enrichment-day.

📸: GMSF

Address

2050 Blowing Rock Highway
Linville, NC
28646

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 7pm
Tuesday 8am - 7pm
Wednesday 8am - 7pm
Thursday 8am - 7pm
Friday 8am - 7pm
Saturday 8am - 7pm
Sunday 8am - 7pm

Telephone

+18287334337

Website

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