April 16, 2021
ATLANTA — Today, National Park Service (NPS) South Atlantic-Gulf Regional Director Stan Austin announced the selection of Tracy Swartout as the new superintendent of Blue Ridge Parkway, effective May 23. "We are excited to select Tracy to lead one...
April 1, 2021
Data recorded at the official National Weather Service reporting station at Grandfather Mountain’s Mile High Swinging Bridge indicated average March weather at the Linville, N.C., nature park. The lowest temperature observed was 17° Fahrenheit on...
April 1, 2021
September 2 is an auspicious date for Grandfather Mountain. Sixty-eight years ago, it marked the opening of the world-famous Mile High Swinging Bridge. In 2019, it saw the nonprofit nature park break ground on its...
March 24, 2021
Grandfather Mountain will open its gates to High Country residents, employees and their guests for only $3 each April 1-23, as the park’s “Dollar Days” promotion returns in time for spring. The promotion allows anyone...
March 16, 2021
David Thompson is often found painting at a special boulder he and Cathy named “Linville View at Cliffside.” David Thompson moved to the United States from Ontario, Canada, at age 18. He’s lived here ever...
March 10, 2021
Data recorded at the official National Weather Service reporting station at Grandfather Mountain’s Mile High Swinging Bridge indicated average February weather at the Linville, N.C., nature park. The lowest temperature observed was 2.3° Fahrenheit on...
March 4, 2021
Grandfather Mountain is taking outdoor fun to new heights with its 2021 calendar of events. With a mission to inspire conservation of the natural world by helping guests explore, understand and value the wonders of...
February 26, 2021
Volunteers collect trash along a Banner Elk roadside. On March 20, Grandfather Mountain president Jesse Pope will lead a community-wide effort to clear Avery County roadsides of litter. Photo courtesy of The Avery Journal-Times Let's...
February 16, 2021
Photo by Todd Bush | Todd Bush Photography The Grandfather Mountain community has come together to honor health-care heroes who have worked and risked their lives throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. With the national Random Acts...
February 4, 2021
Grandfather Mountain experienced some snowy and blustery weather this January, recording 15.1 inches of snow and a wind gust of 92.9 mph. Photo by Victoria Darlington | Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation 2021 is off to...
January 27, 2021
LINVILLE, N.C.—Many visitors to Grandfather Mountain describe their experience as “energizing.” Those with electric vehicles can now take that literally. As part of its continued efforts in environmental stewardship, Grandfather Mountain recently installed two ChargePoint...
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...
January 5, 2021
Grandfather Mountain concluded 2020 with a chill. According to data from the National Weather Service recording station located at the Mile High Swinging Bridge, the temperature dipped as low as -1° F on Dec. 26....
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 20, 2020
Millie, Ginny Burton and Jesse Pope celebrate the groundbreaking for the new Conservation Campus, which took place on September 2, 2019. Construction began this summer and is expected to be completed in the Fall of...
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 29, 2020
One of the most exciting features of the coming Wilson Center for Nature Discovery will be more than 12 new interactive exhibits that will enable visitors to experience the 16 natural communities that comprise Grandfather...
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...
