News - Grandfather Mountain

2025 Highland Games return to MacRae Meadows

Jun 25, 2025

The long and storied tradition that is the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games returns to MacRae Meadows on Thursday, July 10, continuing through Sunday, July 13. This marks the 69th year for the beloved and historic celebration of Scottish ancestry and heritage, with...

Grandfather Mountain and Cranberry Middle School launch TRAIL Blazers program

Apr 10, 2025

Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, has partnered with Cranberry Middle School to create the TRAIL (Teaching Responsibility And Inspiring Leadership) Blazers program. At the school’s request, the...

Grandfather Mountain joins the Chronolog citizen science project

Mar 14, 2025

Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, has set up public photo stations in four locations, with one more on the way, and is inviting guests to participate in Chronolog, a citizen science project,...

“Dollar Days” Set to Begin April 1 at Grandfather Mountain

Mar 12, 2025

2025 Dollar DaysGrandfather Mountain extends a special “Dollar Days” rate of $5 per person (plus tax and fees) during the month of April to those who live or work in Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Burke, Caldwell, Mitchell, Watauga or Wilkes counties, along with their guests...

Spring Fun

Mar 10, 2025

Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, is gearing up for springtime, with daily programs, special experiences, a slate of events — including new happenings! — and beautiful blooms all ahead. “We are...

2024 Weather in Review

Feb 27, 2025

Grandfather Mountain is a rugged place known for its wild and fast-changing weather. While no records were set or broken in 2024, the year saw Tropical Storm Helene strike the area in late September, bringing with it high winds, significant rainfall and flooding....

A Look Back

Feb 19, 2025

Your support in 2024 made a difference on Grandfather Mountain. Thank you! Despite the significant impact of Hurricane Helene, 2024 was full of festivities and excitement. Many wonderful events were hosted across the mountain and we enjoyed celebrating the opening of...

Helene Recovery

Feb 19, 2025

Due to the impacts of Hurricane Helene, Grandfather Mountain was closed Sept. 26 through Oct. 22, 2024. The storm left behind unimaginable effects on the communities surrounding Grandfather Mountain. The nature park was extremely fortunate to receive only minor...

Grandfather Mountain mourns the loss of Ajax the bald eagle

Feb 5, 2025

Grandfather Mountain has bid farewell to Ajax the bald eagle. Ajax died Wednesday, Feb. 5 following complications from an infection he developed. He was 11 years old. “We will miss his strength and confidence,” Christie Tipton, animal habitats curator for the...

Grandfather Mountain’s habitat staff prepares for winter

Jan 17, 2025

Ahead of winter’s arrival on the mountain, Grandfather’s animal caretakers are busy planning and preparing for the season. For the park’s black bears, it marks the time of year when they enter into a quasi-hibernation. While black bears, like most...