Meet the Bears

It’s time to grin and bear it! In our Meet-the-Bears tour, go behind the scenes to meet some of Grandfather Mountain’s resident black bears and learn all about them, including their names, daily routines, care, histories and more.

Tour times are 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, offered from April through October. The tour takes approximately 30 minutes.

Cost is $20 per person in addition to park admission, including children, ($18 for Bridge Club members). There is a minimum of two people and a maximum of 12 people admitted per tour. Families welcome! Participants should be capable of walking up and down steep terrain. Small children must be carried, as strollers are not allowed on the tour. Please wear shoes with good soles such as hiking boots or tennis shoes.

Those with limited mobility should inquire about availability when booking the tour. A UTV is available to transport guests with mobility issues if lined up in advance.

Photography is permitted on this tour. We ask that guests don’t share images from the behind-the-scenes area on social media.

In keeping with our environmental wildlife habitat area policy, pets are not allowed. Tours will be canceled in the event of thunder or lightning.

To book a Meet-the-Bears tour: Make reservations by emailing or calling the Grandfather Mountain Habitats Office at habitats@grandfather.com or 828-733-8715 in advance. Or stop by the Gift Shop in the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery during your visit for last minute availability.

Wanting to give the tour as a gift? Please call the Wilson Center Gift Shop at (828) 733-1059 to purchase over the phone. The gift recipient will be responsible for contacting our habitat staff and scheduling their tour.

Please note, a gift of a tour or experience does not include park admission. That would need to be purchased separately or covered by a Bridge Club membership.

See other Experiences and Daily Programs.