Sunrise at the Swinging Bridge
Back by popular demand, Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, is offering a sunrise experience in 2026. This special event, titled “Sunrise at the Swinging Bridge,” will provide guests with the rare opportunity to be in the park outside of regular operating hours and to hopefully experience a lovely sunrise from the bridge’s lofty vantage point.
Tickets for this event go on sale online on Grandfather Mountain’s website June 2 at 10 a.m.
Admission to this event is $52 for general admission, $33 for children (ages 3-12) and $20 for members of Grandfather Mountain’s Bridge Club. Event tickets include an entire day’s access to Grandfather. As the remainder of the park doesn’t open until later on after sunrise (8 a.m. on Aug. 1), participants are welcome to leave the mountain following sunrise and return later in the day for no additional cost.
Due to safety regulations, eventgoers are only permitted to view the sunrise from the Swinging Bridge area. The Top Shop gift shop and restrooms will be accessible during the events. Park educators will be on hand to talk to guests about the nature around the Swinging Bridge, identify nearby points of interest and answer any questions. In addition, a professional photographer very familiar with capturing sunrises at Grandfather Mountain will also be on hand to chat with those guests wishing to capture the beauty of the day’s first light with their cameras.
Participants are strongly encouraged to bring a flashlight or headlamp and wear heavy jackets, hats, gloves and rubber-soled shoes. Spring and summer mornings can still be surprisingly very chilly at the top of Grandfather Mountain!
This event may be canceled on short notice in case of inclement weather, and guests will be refunded if that’s the case. In addition, a picture-perfect sunrise, unfortunately, cannot be guaranteed.
This event is limited to 150 guests. If the events sell out, waiting lists will be available.
-Tickets for this event go on sale online on Grandfather Mountain’s website June 2 at 10 a.m.
-Park gates will open to sunrise participants at 5:30 a.m.
-Sunrise is at 6:35 a.m. on Aug. 1
-Park hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. this day, with trails closing at 5 p.m.
-To receive a full refund, guests must cancel prior to 5 p.m. Friday, March 6. Cancellations following that date are not eligible for a refund. To cancel, email judi@grandfather.com or call 828-833-6332.
-Grandfather Mountain will make a decision on whether the event is able to take place and notify all ticket holders by noon on Thursday, July 30.
