What are the opening hours?

Monday 9am - 6pm Tuesday 9am - 6pm Wednesday 9am - 6pm Thursday 9am - 6pm Friday 9am - 6pm Saturday 9am - 6pm Sunday 9am - 6pm

Grandfather Mountain

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Linville, NC
Grandfather Mountain

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Cross the famous Mile High Swinging Bridge, photograph native wildlife in natural habitats and hike some of the South's finest alpine trails.
(6645)

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.

08/21/2026

REMINDER: While you're exploring Grandfather Mountain, don't miss out on the chance to learn something new through a daily program!

Our 2026 daily programs run March 21 to Nov. 8. Each program provides unique interpretive content on a variety of topics, and they are all included in your admission ticket.

These programs are suited for families and children of all ages. From animal enrichments to weather and climate and everything in between, there is so much to discover on the mountain!

Curious about our offerings? Head to grandfather.com/daily-programs to read more.

🎥: GMSF

08/20/2026

Looking for views? We might know a place to find them!

Join our email list to get updates on happenings around Grandfather Mountain, learn about the park's latest offerings and have special event information delivered directly to you.

This newsletter is released monthly and is a great way to remind yourself to come up and enjoy the view!

Sign up at grandfather.com/connect/receive-our-newsletter.

📸: Kristen Marie Stewart

08/19/2026

If you have visited Grandfather Mountain in the last decade, chances are that you have seen and enjoyed the results of Doug Jenning's incredible craftsmanship and dedication to the mountain. Cougar habitat improvements, the elk habitat, Yonni's Clubhouse, Cobey Botanical Garden, the Wilson Center and the Williams Outdoor Learning Space are all spaces that Doug has helped shape.

Over the years, Doug has devoted countless hours to projects across the mountain, lending his skill, creativity and care to work that has helped to make Grandfather the special place that it is today. In addition, three generations of Doug's family have been involved in projects that support park infrastructure.

Recently, we had the privilege of honoring those contributions, and Doug, with a plaque at the Williams Outdoor Learning Space. We are incredibly grateful for the time, talent and heart that Doug has poured into Grandfather Mountain. Join us in celebrating Doug and a recognition that is well deserved.

📸: GMSF

08/18/2026

You OTTER adopt an animal!

Symbolically adopting one of our resident animals 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.

Grandfather Mountain's newest resident, Fig the river otter, is available for adoption now!

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

📸: Christiana Doucette

08/17/2026

Happy National Nonprofit Day! We are proud to say that the Grandfather Mountain nature park is owned and operated by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

The foundation was formed in 2009 to operate the 700-acre portion of land that includes the Mile High Swinging Bridge, Wilson Center for Nature Discovery, hiking trails, Wildlife Habitats and much more. We are a separate entity from Grandfather Mountain State Park!

Our mission is to inspire conservation of the natural world through education, exploration and example — and we love doing it!

You can learn more about our work at grandfather.com/foundation.

📸: Leslie Restivo Photography | GMSF

08/16/2026

ON SALE TOMORROW: Tickets will go live at 10 a.m. tomorrow for Grandfather's Starry Skies, a field course designed for adults!

Anyone seeking knowledge on stargazing, constellations and astronomy should attend. Through this course, you can create a familiarity with the night sky and learn the basics of stargazing that can be applied on your own on any clear night throughout the year. The course begins in the classroom and transitions to various viewing locations on the mountain, practicing stargazing skills while looking for meteors and learning about some of the most prominent stars, constellations and other objects.

This workshop will be led by Stephan Martin, who has been a stargazer since he was very young growing up under dark skies of South Florida. Steve is also an astronomer, educator and author who has taught astronomy and physics at colleges, universities and learning centers across the US and internationally for more than 35 years.

Reserve your spot at grandfather.com/event/adult-field-course-starry-skies.

📸: Leslie Restivo Photography | GMSF

08/15/2026

Bird nerds, this one's for you — Grandfather's annual Hawk Watch is returning soon for the entire month of September!

The month-long annual research initiative welcomes researchers and citizen scientists to the mountain to aid in counting the raptors that fly overhead as they migrate south for the winter.

Looking to get involved as a volunteer? Join us for a mandatory volunteer orientation session in the Top Shop on Monday, Aug. 24. The meeting will touch on what is expected of volunteers, basic raptor identification and details about Linville Peak, the count location. Reach out to [email protected] by Thursday, Aug. 20 to register!

Learn more at grandfather.com/hawk-watch.

📸: GMSF

08/14/2026

Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation has welcomed a new member to its river otter habitat: Fig, an 18-month-old river otter who enjoys socializing with her new otter friend, Oscar, and her keepers.

After months of going through the mountain’s quarantine and introduction processes with Oscar, Fig went on display in the otter habitat this week. She is part of a special loan program through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, meaning that Fig is being hosted by Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation for the foreseeable future. Programs like this allow for specialized habitat research, the optimization of social groupings, species survival planning, veterinary expertise and much more. Fig was born in February 2025 at the Long Island Aquarium.

“Fig has easily found her way into all of our hearts,” said Christie Tipton, animal habitats curator for the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. “For the first few weeks after Fig went through the quarantine phase, we worked to ensure that Oscar and Fig had a comfortable adjustment period with one another. They became fast friends and now enjoy running around together and taking long naps in their cozy bed after lunch.”

Read more about Fig at www.grandfather.com/fig-the-river-otter.

📸: Skip Sickler | GMSF

08/13/2026

Spring may be far in the past, but there are plenty of unique plants blooming this month at Grandfather!

Some of the typical August flowers include Joe Pye w**d, ironw**d, cardinal flower, spotted jewelw**d and greenheaded coneflower. Which one is your favorite?

Find out what blooms to expect next at grandfather.com/wildflowers-calendar.

📸: GMSF

08/12/2026

We are one month away from the 55th-Annual Girl Scout Day at Grandfather Mountain!

On Saturday, Sept. 12, Girl Scouts are invited to join the park’s naturalists for a fun-filled learning adventure. Plus, all Girl Scouts and troop leaders are admitted free with proof of membership!

Read more at grandfather.com/event/girl-scout-day.

📸: GMSF

Address

2050 Blowing Rock Highway
Linville, NC
28646

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 6pm
Tuesday	9am - 6pm
Wednesday	9am - 6pm
Thursday	9am - 6pm
Friday	9am - 6pm
Saturday	9am - 6pm
Sunday	9am - 6pm

Telephone

+18287334337

Website

http://www.grandfather.com/

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