Nature Photography Weekend

This popular shutterbug weekend includes presentations from top nature photographers, hands-on field courses, a friendly contest and the rare opportunity to photograph the mountain’s spectacular scenery before and after regular business hours.

This revamped version of the popular weekend will include changes to better welcome all levels of photographers, making it more fun and engaging for all – while better connecting participants with the wonders and unique ecology of Grandfather Mountain. This year, more than ever, we hope to not only help participants learn about photography, but to also inspire them to preserve the natural world. Activities begin Friday evening and conclude Sunday midday.

2025 Speakers: Kevin Adams, Vinny Colucci, Chrissy Donadi, Bill Fortney and Georgia Walters

2025 Speaker Information | 2025 Speaker Presentations | 2025 Event Schedule

Registered participants & attendees may also purchase guest passes. Registration opens April 9 at 10 a.m. and closes June 5 at 12 p.m. or when the event sells out. Click here to purchase tickets.

Event Ticket Costs
Participant Pass (includes contest) – Pass includes three-day admission to the park, entry into the weekend’s contest, the opportunity to camp at Woods Walk, the Friday social, the Saturday dinner, speaker presentations and sunrise/sunset access: $175/person. Contest Rules & Requirements here. 
Attendee Pass (does not include contest) – Pass includes three-day admission to the park, the opportunity to camp at Woods Walk, the Friday social, the Saturday dinner, speaker presentations and sunrise/sunset access: $145/person

Registered NPW participants and attendees have access to purchase the following items for their guests. Guest passes are for individuals who are on the mountain the weekend of NPW with a registered participant or attendee but not attending or participating in the event themselves. These passes provide a discounted three-day admission pass, as well as the opportunity to attend the Friday social and/or Saturday dinner. Guest passes do not include any of the speaker presentations or field courses.
Guest Adult Pass (three-day admission to Grandfather) – $60
Guest Child (ages 4-12) Pass (three-day admission to Grandfather) – $25
Guest Pass to Friday Social – $15
Guest Pass to Saturday Dinner – $20

Field Courses
Field courses offered by the NPW speakers are special add-on opportunities for registered event attendees and participants. These courses are more hands-on workshops that allow event participants and attendees one-on-one instruction from a speaker. Group sizes are kept small. Field course spots are limited, and attendance is not included in your event registration. There will be an additional cost of $10+tax per field course.

An email about field courses is going out to registered participants and attendees May 1.  Registered attendees and participants should submit their field course preferences to media@grandfather.com by Sunday, May 11. 2025 Field Course Options

Field course spots will then be randomly drawn, and “winners” will be able to purchase their “spot” before the actual event. Assignment emails with a link to purchase field course spots will go out May 19. An effort will be made to get all interested folks into at least one of their preferred field courses. After receiving an email May 19 with an assignment, the window to purchase field course spots will be open until May 30.

Don Nelson Award – Read More!

Camping at Woods Walk
The opportunity to camp at the Woods Walk Picnic Area the Friday and Saturday nights of the event is extended to event participants, attendees and registered guests. There is no additional cost for this. Tent and vehicle camping allowed, only. A very (VERY) small bathroom is available in this area with toilets and water fountains. Other than some grills and fresh mountain air, there are no other amenities. There are wild bears on the mountain, and proper food storage protocol for camping must be practiced.

Refunds/Cancellations
The majority of Grandfather Mountain events generally sell out and have a waiting list. If you cannot attend the event that you registered for, please let us know. Full refunds will be given to individuals who reach out to us at least five days before the event. This allows time for individuals on the waiting list to make accommodations to attend the event. To cancel your registration, please call 828-733-2013, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

See winners from 2024 and read more about this popular annual event.

Registered participants & attendees may also purchase guest passes. Registration opens April 9 at 10 a.m. and closes June 5 at 12 p.m. or when the event sells out.