This June, visitors to Grandfather Mountain will be able to meet some true party animals. On Wednesday, June 13, the Linville, N.C.-based nature park will host its annual Animal Birthday Party, a day of celebration and special events designed to honor the black bears, bald eagles, river otters, cougars and elk that call Grandfather...

Few plants signify “summer” in the mountains quite like the vivid pink Catawba rhododendron, and Grandfather Mountain is center stage for the spectacular annual show. To showcase the beauty and significance of this native plant, Grandfather Mountain naturalists will host the Remarkable Rhododendron Ramble from June 1-9, featuring guided excursions June 1-8 and a native plant celebrate...

Grandfather Mountain remains open, despite flood damage to U.S. 221. Recent heavy rains and flash-flooding washed out a portion of U.S. 221 between Linville and Blowing Rock, approximately 2 miles north of the Grandfather Mountain Entrance Gate. According to officials, the damaged section of the highway will be closed indefinitely. Fortunately, the most frequently traveled routes remain open. Visitors from the Boone and Blowing Rock areas may take N.C. 105 South to U.S. 221 North, while those traveling from Asheville can follow U.S. 221 North directly to Grandfather Mountain’s...

Online registration is now open for Grandfather Mountain’s annual Nature Photography Weekend, an exciting workshop for photographers planned for June 1 to 3....