For more information about the attraction, please visit the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation website. ADMISSION RATESWe have three tiers of daily ticket rates. To get to the mile high swinging bridge you can take the stairs or use the elevator. Since its such a massive mountain, home to rare wildlife, and essential to its surroundings, we created this guide as a tribute and to show your around. We leave for 2 weeks in Europe on Thursday, starting and ending in London where I grew up. Be aware though that to access those overlooks you have to climb up large rocks via a ladder and/or cable. . ), a . The MacRae family led the Linville Improvement Company, which included projects such as Yonahlossee Road between Linville and Blowing Rock. It is near the border of both Watauga and Caldwell counties and near the following towns: Read More: The NC Tripping North Carolina Travel Map. .ai-viewports {--ai: 1;} 3. .inside-article{ There are technically more than a dozen Grandfather Mountain hiking trails, with most of them on the state park side. @media (max-width: 767px) { Click here to see daily rates & book your visit. The Top Shops first floor is Grandfather Mountains more extensive gift shop, with souvenirs, snacks, and drinks. Embark on a Family River Expedition, unlike any other in the Americas! Without a valid Bridge Club membership card, guests must pay full price. Unfortunately masks in the NC area are not mandatory anywhere! While it is a strenuous hike, the views are very rewarding! Along the way, youll pass the entrance to Grandfather Mountain. They are not permitted inside buildings. The sheer size can seem overwhelming, and we hope our guide helps you navigate this iconic attraction. Jump to the next upcoming events. While Forrest is running across America, Grandfather Mountain appears halfway through his trek. It also boasts an unmatched ecological diversity that has . An official website of the State of North Carolina. 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. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 12.94 . Nowhere in the New World is there a place more reminiscent of the Scottish Highlands than the home of America's grandest Highland GamesGrandfather Mountain, North Carolina. They are separated from views by nets, moats, or high retaining walls. Mailing: PO Box 129, Linville, NC 28646. Go here for Grandfather Mountain State Park information. . .ai-viewport-3 { display: inherit !important;} The High Country has an abundance of opportunities for folks to enjoy the great outdoors. Due to staff shortages, Grandfather Mountain State Park will close daily at 6 PM. text-decoration: none Grandfather Mountain is located on U.S. Highway 221, two miles north of Linville, and one south of the Blue Ridge Parkway. There is an additional $3 cancellation fee to cancel a reservation, so it costs $6 to cancel per site per night. On weekdays only, a limited number of tickets. All the trails were well marked, nicely shaded, and had beautiful scenery. Grandfather came later, after western explorers noticed an old mans face on the mountain. Proceeds from admission tickets benefit theGrandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and protecting the park for future generations. Be aware, that all of the trails we went on were almost exclusively over rocks & roots. What attractions are near Grandfather Mountain? Hi, there. Director of Marketing & Communications Located in Watauga County 11 miles north of Boone, Elk Knob State Park was established in 2003 to protect the mountain and the headwaters of the North Fork of the New River. They gifted 700 acres to the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. Sincerely, NC Tripping uses Mediavine to manage all third-party advertising on this Website. Staff and wire report. As of now, reservations are only available through Feb. 28, 2022. Thank you so much for such a kind, thoughtful and generous review! Be exhilarated by the altitude and panoramic views from the Mile High Swinging Bridge; stand eye-to-eye with bears, cougars and otters in . .ai-viewport-1 { display: none !important;} Heres a quick individual breakdown of each rock: The acclaimed movie Forrest Gump used locations across the United States, but a critical scene was filmed in North Carolina! Simply forward your confirmation email (tickets will be attached) to that person. For your next visit, I'd suggest checking out an animal encounter, during which our habitats staff will deliver a brief presentation on a particular animal before giving them an enrichment, which can be a special treat, favorite food or unfamiliar scent basically something interesting to break up their day and keep them active and intellectually stimulated. And from what I can see people are acting like the virus is just gone, I myself and my family are still taking the needed precautions espicially because of this. Owned & operated by Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. Going to great depths to reach NEW heights, Mystic River Falls is an epic rafting journey where adventurous families explore Ozark waterwaysonly at Silver Dollar City! It was a beautiful day when we went and the scenery was absolutely breathtaking. You may also be interested to know that we're owned and operated by the nonprofit Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, a nonprofit focused on inspiring conservation. Alone, those are worth your time and money. Read More About Our Journey! Just so you know, during those of inclement weather, when the bridge and top are closed, we do post a notice on the front page of our website and ticketing page. Member of Southern Highlands . Calloway Peak, the highest point on the mountain, has an elevation of 5,946 feet, and temperatures throughout the park may be several degrees colder than shown, so please plan accordingly. A lock icon or https:// means youve safely connected to the official website. } The State Park is located adjacent to our nature preserve that is home to the Mile High Swinging Bridge, Wildlife Habitats and Nature Museum, which is owned by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. Here are some other fun activities to explore after passing the entrance gate. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave such a positive, thoughtful and descriptive review! Location To cancel your registration please call 828-733-2013 Monday-Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. We ask that individuals who are feeling ill stay home to ensure the health and safety of other participants and Grandfather Mountain staff. Winds can surpass 130 miles per hour, and temperatures drop below freezing during the winter months. The animal exhibits were not impressive at all. grandfather.mountain@ncparks.gov. Mid-Level Days: These include most, not all, April-October dates and feature extra experiences in the park, such as Grandfathers schedule of Daily Programs during these months. You can also access the Grandfather Trail from the Grandfather Mountain State Park trailheads via the Profile Trail (western side) or the Daniel Boone Scout Trail (eastern side). To remove your selections and start over, click "Remove". The privately owned attraction includes the Mile-High Swinging Bridge and charges an entrance fee. STAY UPDATEDSign upfor updates about GMHG news such as events, Covid Procedures, Registrations and more. }); Los domingos est abierto y cuando cobran la entrada. Join now! Blowing Rock Highway / U.S. 221, Blowing Rock, NC 28605 Regarding the animals not showing up, you may be interested to know that they reside in environmental wildlife habitats, most of which are built around actual native environment, offering the animals acres to roam as they please even if that means being out of sight for a bit of privacy. Brown | Hikers using rope on a steep climb, C. Peek | Pinkshell azalea, vulnerable species endemic to Grandfather Mountain, J. Mickey | McRae Peak, C. Peek | Yonahlosse salamander, a large species first described at Grandfather Mountain, B. Goff, 9872 N.C. 105 S. The Asutsi Trail (0.4 miles) is a short and easy connector trail to Nuwati and Daniel Boone. You can connect to the Grandfather Trail via the strenuous Profile Trail (3.6 miles), starting from the Profile Trail Parking Area. Dine in the restaurant or find a scenic picnic spot, browse the nature museum, wander the trails, go behind the scenes of the animal habitats, visit with knowledgeable naturalists, and stop for a treat at the fudge shop. GPS: 36.0851, -81.8462,