Daily Programs
During your visit, attend one of our Daily Programs in April-October presented by our animal habitat curators and park educators. These fascinating interpretive programs throughout the park are included in your admission ticket. For an extra special “behind the scenes” tour, see our Experiences that are offered on weekends April-October.
2023 Daily Programs at Grandfather: April 1-October 29
Keeper Talks
Learn more about the animals and see an animal enrichment. An enrichment is anything that breaks up an animal’s day — maybe a special scent or toy newly introduced into their habitat. It’s a great opportunity to see each animal active and close to the overlook of the habitat.
Daily Every half hour 11 AM- 4 PM at Wildlife Habitats
Schedule: Bears: 11, 1:30, 2:30, 4. Otter: 11:30, 3:30. Elk: 12, 2. Cougar: 12:30, 3. Eagle: 1
Outdoors / 10-15 minutes / All ages
Community Science Weather
Participate in one of Grandfather Mountain’s citizen science projects. Learn and record weather data with an educator! The data you help record is passed on to NOAA for continued research.
Daily 11 AM at Pollinator Garden behind Wilson Center
Outdoors / 10 minutes / all ages
May Wildlife Rehab Center Ambassador Animals
Meet some of the ambassador animals from Lees-McRae College’s May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. Learn about these birds, animal rehabilitation and how we can all help protect wildlife.
Saturday 11 AM – 1 PM at the Wilson Center and Conservation Campus
Outdoors / all ages / Every Saturday May 27 – August 12, with the exception of June 24
Junior Naturalist
Grandfather Mountain educators help individuals use scientific tools to make observations about natural phenomena. The activities are hands-on, exploratory, and certain to inspire curiosity. Read more about our Junior Naturalist Program!
11:30 a.m. weekends (April 1 to May 28)
11:30 a.m. daily (May 29 to Aug. 20)
11:30 a.m. weekends (Aug. 26 to Oct. 29)
Pollinator Garden at Wilson Center
Outdoors / 30 Minutes / Geared toward 5-10 year olds, but welcomes younger and older students
Peaks and Profiles
Join Grandfather’s educators by the Mile High Swinging Bridge to learn more about the mountain’s unique weather, climate, flora and fauna.
Daily 1 & 3 PM by Swinging Bridge
Outdoors / 15-20 minutes / Families and adults
Animal Encounters
Come face-to-face with some of the mountain’s educational animal ambassadors.
Saturday & Sundays 2 PM outside the main entrance of the Wilson Center
Outdoors / 30 minutes / all ages
Random Acts of Science
Join an educator for an activity in the Wilson Center. The activities can include, but are not limited to, learning about native plants and animals, using weather instruments to record data, investigating minerals, skulls, or even tiny organisms under a microscope.
Mon-Fri 11 AM / Saturday & Sundays 11 AM, 12 PM, 2 PM at Wilson Center
Indoors / 30-45 minutes / Elementary, middle, and high school students and families
Ramble with a Naturalist
Take a short stroll with a naturalist for seasonal topics – including wildflowers, weather, pollinators, mushrooms, butterflies, fall color and more.
Saturdays & Sundays / 1 PM at at the Pollinator Garden (behind the Wilson Center) / Daily during the Rhododendron bloom and fall color season
Outdoors / 20-40 minutes / Families & adults
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