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GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN
The views are ancient.
The experiences are all brand new.
Anyone who visits Grandfather Mountain discovers a
place that inspires awe through natural wonders. You’ll
never experience the same mountain twice: today you
might come face-to-face with an owl, another day you
may see rare wildflowers in bloom. Just talk to one
of our naturalists to understand more about these
living treasures and learn where to find them. There’s
nowhere else on Earth that you can enjoy such a variety
of mountain life in one amazing place.
The Mile High Swinging Bridge:
A true landmark of a pioneering spirit, the Mile
High Swinging Bridge welcomes all visitors to admire
360-degree panoramic views from Grandfather
Mountain. The bridge has been in place since 1952 —
and for just as long it’s excited the thousands who’ve
walked across with the thrills of mile-high elevation.
Whether you cross it to challenge yourself, for the
scenery, or to admire this engineering masterpiece, the
experience will make your trip to Grandfather complete.
Explore the Trails: One thing about
Grandfather Mountain is that the more you see
of it, the more incredible it is.The network of nature walks
and trails can take you through gentle forests and meadows
or, if you choose, through rugged terrain navigated by
ladders and cables. Either way, you can glimpse the wildest
of wildlife and more of the breathtaking views for which
Grandfather is famous. Grandfather Mountain has 11 trails
varying in difficulty from a gentle walk in the woods to a
rigorous trek across rugged peaks. It is in the backcountry
of Grandfather Mountain State Park that you come up
against the more challenging hikes. Hikers can access the
the trails inside Grandfather Mountain State Park for FREE
from trailheads outside the attraction. Access to the trails
from the Swinging Bridge requires the purchase of a ticket
to the attraction.
Check Out the Wildlife Habitats:
Take a walk on Grandfather Mountain, and you’re
likely to spot squirrels, songbirds and other forest
animals. But what about the more elusive wildlife? It only
takes a visit to one of the seven environmental habitats
to see cougars (which no longer live in the wild in the
Southern Appalachians), white-tailed deer, black bears,
bald eagles and river otters. Observing these animals up
close in their native settings, it’s easy to imagine what it
would be like to come face-to-face in the wild.
Environmental habitats are large enclosures that
allow visitors to see animals in natural settings. Unlike
the exhibits found in city zoos that bring in plants and
boulders to recreate an appropriate setting, these
enclosures were built around the animals’ actual native
habitat.
Viewing areas give visitors an up-close perspective of
the animals as they live in the wild. Separated from the
animals by moats or elevated above the habitats on large
retaining walls, these viewing areas allow you to stand only
{
You won’t find it in our gift shop. It’s not on
the map. And photographs don’t do it justice.
It’s a sense of wonder, and everyone who
comes here takes a little home.
www.grandfather.com
a few feet away from animals you probably wouldn’t see
in your everyday life. A special aquarium-like viewing area
allows you to enjoy watching the playful otters above or
below the water.
Visit the Nature Museum:
The
Grandfather Mountain Nature Museum houses
more than two dozen excellent exhibits designed to educate
guests about the natural history of Grandfather Mountain
and the surrounding region. As guests enter the gallery, they
encounter the finest collection of North Carolina gems and
minerals available on public display. The cases contain some
62 different kinds of minerals (350 specimens in all), including
crystals of the state’s famed emeralds and rubies and the
largest amethyst ever found in North America.
Getting There: From Boone, take N.C. 105 South
to Linville. Turn left at the stoplight, and take U.S. 221
North two miles to the Grandfather Mountain Entrance Gate.
From Asheville, take I-40 East to Marion. Take Exit 85. Turn left
at the bottom of the ramp, and go one mile to a stoplight. At the
stoplight, turn left and follow U.S. 221 North to the Grandfather
Mountain Entrance Gate (about 30 miles).
Here, even the most serious visitor
ends up with their head in the clouds.
GRANDFATHER®
MOUNTAIN
WONDERS NEVER CEASE
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