Grandfather Mountain Directions

Directions

10/22/24 UPDATE: Be cautious and patient as you navigate roads, and expect traffic delays. Obey travel warnings and signs — and know that they are subject to change. Construction work is happening around the clock to repair infrastructure throughout the area, and we are so grateful to everyone who has contributed to making our roads accessible as quickly as possible. At this time, U.S. 221 between the communities of North Cove and Linville Falls is not accessible. A map updated by the North Carolina Department of Transportation is available at drivenc.gov.

The entrance to Grandfather Mountain is located on U.S. 221, two miles north of Linville, North Carolina, and one mile south of the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 305.

The street address is: 2050 Blowing Rock Highway, Linville, NC 28646 (click link for Google Maps). The GPS coordinates are 36.08502N, -81.84646W.  The road to the summit is referred to as Grandfather Mountain Entrance Road, Linville, NC.

We recommend against relying only on a navigation system in the mountains. They frequently default to the shortest mileage between two points, often sending drivers through remote areas over very narrow country roads.

No motorhomes or RV’s longer than 28 feet in length are allowed through the Entrance Gate. No hinged vehicles are allowed either. Guests who wish to unhitch trailers and leave them at the Entrance Gate may drive through in the tow vehicle. Sorry, there are no shuttles inside our nature park.

Note: If you are looking for trailheads in neighboring Grandfather Mountain State Park, get details here.

Driving Directions from nearby cities:

70 mi. from Asheville, NC

The Blue Ridge Parkway links Grandfather at Milepost 305 with Asheville at Milepost 382. Plan on a 2.5 to 3 hour drive if you take the Parkway. The fastest route is to take I-40 East to Marion, NC. Take Exit #85. Turn left at the bottom of the ramp and go one mile to a stoplight. At the stoplight turn left and follow US 221 North to the entrance of Grandfather Mountain (about 30 miles).

106 mi. from Charlotte, NC

Starting on the South Side of Charlotte: Take I-85 South to Gastonia, NC. Pick up US 321 North to Hickory. There you can take US 321 on to Blowing Rock (Exit 123 B) or take I-40 West to Morganton (Exit 105).

Starting on the North Side of Charlotte: Take I-77 North to Statesville. Pick up I-40 West to Hickory – or continue on I-40 West to Morganton.

If you’d like to travel through Blowing Rock: From I-40 take Exit 123 B, take US 321 North from Hickory to Blowing Rock.  Take the Blue Ridge Parkway South to the US 221 intersection at Milepost 305. Take US 221 South 1 mile to the entrance of Grandfather Mountain.

To come directly to Grandfather Mountain: TakeI-40 West from Hickory to Exit 105 at Morganton. Take NC 181 North 34 miles to Linville, NC. Take US 221 2 miles from Linville to the entrance of Grandfather Mountain.

55 mi. from Hickory, NC

From I-40 Exit 123 B, take US 321 North to Blowing Rock, NC. Take the Blue Ridge Parkway south 14 miles to the US 221 intersection at milepost 305 (less than a mile after you cross the Linn Cove Viaduct). Take US 221 South 1 mile to the entrance of Grandfather Mountain.

36 mi. from Morganton, NC

Take NC 181 (I-40 Exit #105) North 34 miles to Linville, NC. Take US 221 2 miles from Linville to the entrance of Grandfather Mountain.

19 mi. from Boone, NC

Take NC 105 South to Linville. Turn left at the stoplight and take US 221 North 2 miles to the entrance of Grandfather Mountain.

15 mi. from Blowing Rock, NC

Take the Blue Ridge Parkway South to the US 221 intersection at Milepost 305. Take 221 South 1 mile to the entrance of Grandfather Mountain.

50 mi. from Johnson City, TN

Take US 321 to Elizabethton, TN. Pick up US 19-E to Elk Park, NC. Continue on that highway to Newland, NC (road marker changes to NC 194). Turn left at the second stoplight in Newland and take NC 181 to Linville, then straight (through 2 stoplights) 2 miles on US 221 to the entrance of Grandfather Mountain.

103 mi. from Winston Salem, NC

Take US 421 North to Boone, NC. Take NC 105 South to Linville. Turn left at the stoplight in Linville and take US 221 North 2 miles to the entrance of Grandfather Mountain.

Closest Airports to Grandfather Mountain

Hickory, NC (1.5 hours away) Commuter

Johnson City, TN (1.5 hours away) Regional

Asheville, NC (1.5 hours away) Regional

Charlotte, NC (2.5 hours away) International Hub

Greensboro, NC (2.5 hours away) Regional

For private planes: Avery County Airport, Spruce Pine

Grandfather Mountain | Home to the Swinging Bridge, Animal Habitats and Nature Museum

GPS: 2050 Blowing Rock Highway, Linville, NC 28646
Mailing: PO Box 129, Linville, NC 28646
1-800-468-7325

Owned & operated by Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation.
Go here for Grandfather Mountain State Park information.
Member of Southern Highlands Attractions