January 11, 2021
Grandfather Mountain is known for its Mile High Swinging Bridge, but when it comes to service, the nonprofit nature park’s staff aims even higher. In the first week of January, Harris Prevost, director of guest...
November 25, 2020
By simply visiting Grandfather Mountain, you’ve already helped in our mission of inspiring conservation of the natural world, while ensuring the mountain itself will be preserved for generations to come. With the holidays upon us,...
November 25, 2020
With winter on the way, Grandfather Mountain is decking its halls — and hills — for the holidays. Visitors are invited to celebrate the season from a mile high, where they’ll encounter idyllic winter scenery,...
November 25, 2020
On Tuesday, Nov. 24, Grandfather Mountain officially rang in the holiday season with a special delivery — a 12-foot Fraser fir Christmas tree, donated by Larry Smith of Mountain Top Fraser Fir in Avery County....
November 10, 2020
BLOWING ROCK, N.C. — Chetola Resort once again greets the holidays with its drive-through tour of the Festival of Lights. The free display includes close to 30,000 lights throughout the resort and around Chetola Lake....
October 31, 2020
A seasonal display at Linville Land Harbor bids farewell to fall in the WNC High Country. Today's entry marks the last in Grandfather Mountain's 2020 Fall Color Gallery. This season was one of the brightest...
October 30, 2020
Fallen leaves rest along a creek side on the Grandfather Mountain Profile Trail, while reflections in the water cast a different sort of fall color. Photo by Skip Sickler | Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation
October 29, 2020
Fallen leaves gather on the rocky shores of the Linville River at Linville Falls, located near milepost 316 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. While high winds and heavy rain from the remnants of Hurricane Zeta...
October 29, 2020
The turn in the temperature signals a new season on Grandfather Mountain — and the return of a bargain allowing unlimited access to the park for six months. The Secret Season Pass allows holders unlimited,...
October 28, 2020
Patches of fall color brighten an otherwise cloudy day at Linville Falls (milepost 316.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway). Although fall color is now waning in the WNC High Country, certain species are still aglow,...
October 27, 2020
A birch tree offers some brilliant contrast near the Linville River in Linville, N.C. Although fall color is past its peak in the WNC High Country, leaf-lookers can still expect vibrant colors from certain species....
October 26, 2020
Although leaves in the WNC High Country are past their peak, certain areas continue to shine, especially between Stack Rock Creek and Rough Ridge on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Remnants of fall color cling to...
October 25, 2020
Fall color frames the view of Grandfather Mountain from nearby Blowing Rock. Photo by Skip Sickler | Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation.
October 24, 2020
Vestiges of fall color shine along the shores of Price Lake, as Grandfather Mountain rises in the background. Photo by Skip Sickler | Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation
October 23, 2020
Fall color brightens the vista at Stack Rock Creek Bridge, near milepost 304.8 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Although color is beginning to wane at such high elevations, it can be seen spreading to areas...
October 22, 2020
Golden leaves shine above the lake at Linville Land Harbor, as distant fall color reflects on the surface. With peak color having passed at elevations higher than 3,500 feet, spectators can still marvel at vibrant...
October 21, 2020
Colorful oak trees sweeten the view of Grandfather Mountain's ridgeline from nearby Sugar Mountain. Fashionably late, oaks are some of the last trees to showcase their autumn foliage — and this season is no different....
October 20, 2020
The road to Grandfather Mountain State Park's Profile Trail access off N.C. 105 offers a short, but colorful, drive to the trailhead itself. While colors have peaked in the WNC High Country's higher elevations, especially...
October 19, 2020
Fall color descends from the Blue Ridge Parkway toward Lost Cove Cliffs. Experts report that leaves are currently peaking in color at 3,000 feet and below. Meanwhile, the distinctive profiles of Table Rock and Hawksbill...
October 19, 2020
Photo courtesy of the Avery County Chamber of Commerce BANNER ELK, N.C. — The 43rd annual Woolly Worm Festival may have been canceled this year due to COVID-19, but you can’t keep a good worm...
October 18, 2020
Golden fall color flows alongside the Linville River, which winds through scenic Linville Falls and the famous Linville Gorge, otherwise known as the Grand Canyon of North Carolina. Photo by Skip Sickler | Grandfather Mountain...
October 17, 2020
Fall color lines the Linville River near milepost 316 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Experts anticipate peak color this weekend in the WNC High Country, meaning spectators can expect busier-than-normal crowds, in addition to the...
October 16, 2020
Yonahlossee, one of Grandfather Mountain's resident black bears, cools off in her pond, while enjoying a close-up view of some already fallen fall color. Fall color descends the slopes of Grandfather Mountain, as seen from...
October 15, 2020
While much of the fall color has peaked on Grandfather Mountain, there is still plenty to be found, as this scene from Grandfather's Anvil Rock demonstrates. Meanwhile, colorful foliage can still be seen throughout the...
October 14, 2020
Grandfather Mountain and its famous profile are bathed in fall color, as viewed from the nearby town of Seven Devils. According to Dr. Howie Neufeld, professor of biology at Appalachian State University and official "Fall...
October 13, 2020
The remnants of Hurricane Delta may have drenched the WNC High Country, but fall color held fast to shine another day — as seen during the morning of Oct. 12 at the Linn Cove Viaduct...
October 12, 2020
Vibrant fall color stretches along U.S. 221 toward Grandfather Mountain and the Blue Ridge Parkway's Linn Cove Viaduct. Fog and drizzle can make for ideal leaf-looking conditions, causing colors to "pop" and appear naturally saturated....
October 11, 2020
Green turns to gold, as fall color is reflected in Price Lake, located near milepost 297 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Photo by Skip Sickler | Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation
October 10, 2020
Fall color makes a splash at Price Lake, located near milepost 297 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Photo by Skip Sickler | Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation
October 9, 2020
Grandfather Mountain's resident black bears enjoy more than just the bear necessities — such as a magnificent view of fall color from their environmental wildlife habitat. Fortunately, the view can be seen from the overlook...
