Grandfather Mountain

Grandfather Mountain is a nature park with hiking trails and suspension bridge in Linville, Avery County, in North Carolina's High Country. Adult admission is $25. Hours: Fall 2026 (Oct 3-31): Oct 26-31 and other weekdays 9 a.m.-6 p.m., last entry 4:30 p.m., trails close 5 p.m.; weekends Oct 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 24-25: 8 a.m.-7 p.m., last entry 5:30 p.m., trails close 5 p.m; Winter (Nov 1-Dec 31): 9 a.m.-5 p.m., last entry 3:30 p.m., trails close 4 p.m.; closed Thanksgiving (Nov 26) and Christmas Day; Christmas Eve 9-4; Open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, weather permitting; may close early or open late for weather. Facts read from the official site on October 27, 2026.

• HoursSee hoursofficial hours below
• Admission$25 adults
• WhereLinvilleAvery County, High Country
• Length2.4 milesper the official site

About Grandfather Mountain

A nature park on a high Blue Ridge peak with a summit road, a suspension bridge, wildlife habitats and a network of hiking trails.

• Mile High Swinging Bridge: 228 feet long, spanning an 80-foot gap
• Trails: Woods Walk 0.4 mile; Bridge Trail 0.4 mile each way; Black Rock Trail 1 mile each way; Grandfather Loop 1.5 miles; Grandfather Trail 2.4 miles (strenuous, cables and ladders)
• Calloway Peak 5,946 feet; 16 natural ecosystems
• Bicycling not permitted on roads or trails

Size and length: Grandfather Trail 2.4 miles; Calloway Peak 5,946 ft

Grandfather Mountain Hours

• Fall 2026 (Oct 3-31): Oct 26-31 and other weekdays 9 a.m.-6 p.m., last entry 4:30 p.m., trails close 5 p.m.; weekends Oct 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 24-25: 8 a.m.-7 p.m., last entry 5:30 p.m., trails close 5 p.m.
• Winter (Nov 1-Dec 31): 9 a.m.-5 p.m., last entry 3:30 p.m., trails close 4 p.m.; closed Thanksgiving (Nov 26) and Christmas Day; Christmas Eve 9-4
• Open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, weather permitting; may close early or open late for weather
• Call the Entrance Gate at (828) 733-4337 to check conditions

Hours source: official site, read October 27, 2026.

Admission and Parking

• Base days (before taxes and fees): adult $25, senior 60+ $23, child 3-12 $13, AAA adult $23, AAA child $12
• Mid-level days: adult $30, senior $28, child $13, AAA adult $28, AAA child $12
• Peak days: adult $35, senior $33, child $13, AAA adult $33, AAA child $12
• Discounts (AAA, senior, U.S. military) only when booking online; ID or card at the gate
• Admission includes the Swinging Bridge, Wilson Center for Nature Discovery, trails, wildlife habitats and daily programs
• Timed-entry reservation booked online; top half sometimes closes for wind or ice, then tickets sold only at the gate

Parking: Included with admission. Guests drive their own vehicles up the two-mile summit road. No motorhomes or RVs over 28 feet through the gate. Anyone through the gate pays admission.

Directions and Contact

• Address: 2050 Blowing Rock Highway
• Phone: 828-733-4337
• Map point: 36.09537,-81.83431, from OpenStreetMap (looked up by name, approximate). Directions in Google Maps
• Official site: grandfather.com

Dogs and Accessibility

• Dogs: "Pets are permitted inside the park on a leash." Not allowed inside buildings or in the Animal Habitats area.
• Accessibility: Top Shop elevator to the third floor gives a level walk to the Swinging Bridge (paved 50-yard path). No strollers or wheelchairs offered.

Near Grandfather Mountain

What We Could Not Verify

• Hodges Theater in the Wilson Center closed for projector repairs (09/08/2026 update).
• Bridge elevation figures conflict on the bridge page (5,305 ft vs 5,280 ft); not used.
• Hours and prices change; check the official site the day you go.

Sources

1. Grandfather Mountain: hours (read 2026-10-27)
2. Grandfather Mountain: admission (read 2026-10-27)
3. Grandfather Mountain: official site (read 2026-10-27)
4. OpenStreetMap (map point)

Last checked October 27, 2026 by the It’s North Carolina editor. Spot something out of date? Tell us.