Places › Grandfather Mountain State Park
Grandfather Mountain State Park is a North Carolina state park in Banner Elk, Avery County, in our High Country region. Day-use admission is free. The gate closes between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., depending on the month. It is closed on Christmas Day. Facts read from the official page on October 27, 2026.
- AdmissionFree day use
- HoursCloses 5 to 8 p.m.Opens 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., by month
- ClosedChristmas Dayother holidays: open
- DogsOn a 6 ft leashmore rules below
About Grandfather Mountain State Park
This mountain park is known for severe weather and rugged terrain, where hikers use cliffs, cables and ladders. It sits between the privately owned Grandfather Mountain attraction, which charges admission, and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Plan It in Three Lines
Getting In
Day-use admission is free.
Closes 5 to 8 p.m.Bring the Dog?
Dogs are allowed on a leash no longer than 6 feet, with limits indoors and in some areas.
Full rules belowMake It a Trip
Elk Knob State Park is about 13 miles away (straight line).
4 units within 30 miles
Grandfather Mountain State Park Hours
The gate closes between 5 p.m. (Jan to Apr) and 8 p.m. (Sep to Oct). It opens 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Month by month, as the park prints it:
Bars show the hour the gate closes, drawn from the month table below it. Taller means later.
| Month | Hours |
|---|---|
| January | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| February | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| March | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| April | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
| May | 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| June | 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| July | 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| August | 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| September | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| October | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| November | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| December | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
- Park Office: Open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You may contact the office during business hours or after hours; please leave a message and we will return your call as soon as possible.
- The park is closed on Christmas Day.
- The park is open during all other holidays.
Admission and Fees
There are no fees required to access Grandfather Mountain State Park for day use. Fees are charged for camping and certain event permits. The private attraction (with the Mile High Swinging Bridge) is the closest parking area to a few trails and charges entrance fees.
Planning several parks? Our State Parks Passport guide sets every park’s fees and dog rules side by side.
Dogs and Strollers
- Dogs: Pets are allowed at the park and at campsites. They are not permitted inside buildings. In addition, many park trails are steep and not recommended for pets, so please review the Trails page and plan accordingly. Pets must be on an attended leash of no longer than 6 feet at all times.
- Strollers: Not published. The park page does not say whether strollers are allowed; call the park office (828-963-9522) before you go.
Directions and Contact
- Address: 9872 N.C. 105 S., Suite 6, Banner Elk, NC 28604
- Phone: 828-963-9522
- Map point: 36.15490,-81.78720. Latitude and longitude printed on the park's own ncparks.gov page, checked within 25 miles of the OpenStreetMap match. Directions in Google Maps
- Official page: www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/grandfather-mountain-state-park
State Parks Near Grandfather Mountain State Park
- 1Elk Knob State ParkState Parkabout 13 mi
- 2Mount Jefferson State Natural AreaState Natural Areaabout 24 mi
- 3Rendezvous MountainState Park Unitabout 28 mi
- 4Lake James State ParkState Parkabout 29 mi
- 5New River State ParkState Parkabout 33 mi
- 6Mount Mitchell State ParkState Parkabout 39 mi
Straight-line distances between map points, not driving miles. Dots sit in their true compass direction; distance is stretched near the middle so close neighbors stay readable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to visit Grandfather Mountain State Park?
Day-use admission is free, per the park page. Camping, boat rentals, swim passes, event permits and reservations can cost extra where the park offers them.
Are dogs allowed at Grandfather Mountain State Park?
Pets are allowed at the park and at campsites. They are not permitted inside buildings. In addition, many park trails are steep and not recommended for pets, so please review the Trails page and plan accordingly. Pets must be on an attended leash of no longer than 6 feet at all times.
What time does Grandfather Mountain State Park close?
It depends on the month: the gate closes between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the first table the park prints. See the month table above for your date.
Is Grandfather Mountain State Park open on Christmas?
The park is closed on Christmas Day.
Are strollers allowed at Grandfather Mountain State Park?
Not published. The park page does not mention strollers, so call the park office before you go.
What We Could Not Verify
- Hours and closures change at short notice for weather and staffing; check the official page the day you go.
- Stroller rules are not stated on the official page.
Sources
- Grandfather Mountain State Park on NC State Parks (read 2026-10-27)
- NC State Parks: park list and fees (read 2026-10-27)
- OpenStreetMap (map point check)
Last checked October 27, 2026 by the It’s North Carolina editor. Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Cite this page: It's North Carolina, “Grandfather Mountain State Park: Hours, Fees and Dog Rules”, itsnorthcarolina.com/places/grandfather-mountain-state-park/ (updated ). By the It's North Carolina editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.