Join Shannon Burbridge, an experienced movement instructor and educator with over 37 years of experience in the fitness and wellness field, to immerse yourself in a full day of yoga and grounding techniques to help you ground deeper into yourself and the nature around you. Along with a warmup flow, peaceful hike and longer, more […]
Explore the mountain after hours with your own personal guides during our Grandfather by Night series! You’ll discover some of the park’s nighttime wonders, watch a stunning sunset (weather permitting) and experience the mountain as never before! The evening starts atop Grandfather Mountain at the Mile High Swinging Bridge, where participants can explore and observe […]
The Grizzly Forager is an aspirational social media account with the primary aim of inspiring parents to get outside with their kids via the art of foraging. Arthur, Sybbie, and their mum and dad, John and Christina, create wholesome and visually appealing posts and reels that aim to educate, inspire and encourage kids of all […]
Embark on a wild adventure with The Grizzly Forager on the mountain in search of mysterious treasure made by wasps, which explorers of old gathered and made into ink – the same ink that was used to sign the Declaration of Independence! Arthur, Sybbie and their dad, John, will guide you through the process of […]
NOTE: This Educator Workshop is intended specifically for educators — not the general public. This workshop is open to individuals studying for the NC Environmental Education Certification or those needing CE Credits to maintain their certification and will focus on bears in North Carolina. Hosted by Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation’s own Interpretation and Education staff, […]
Explore the mountain after hours with your own personal guides during our Grandfather by Night series! You’ll discover some of the park’s nighttime wonders, watch a stunning sunset (weather permitting) and experience the mountain as never before! The evening starts atop Grandfather Mountain at the Mile High Swinging Bridge, where participants can explore and observe […]
Back by popular demand, Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, is offering a sunrise experience in 2026. This special event, titled “Sunrise at the Swinging Bridge,” will provide guests with the rare opportunity to be in the park outside of regular operating hours and to hopefully experience a […]
Join us for an in-depth exploration of the natural community types found on Grandfather Mountain. In this class, you'll learn to recognize distinct habitats by studying their characteristic flora, fauna and environmental conditions. Guided by ecological principles and scientific tools, we’ll examine how factors such as elevation, topography, soil composition and microclimates shape these unique […]
The southern Appalachians are world-renowned for different types of fungi, from mushrooms to lichens, and are home to more than 2,000 species. Here's a chance to learn about the lifestyle and habitats of fungi, as well as observe many kinds of fungal fruiting bodies, including mushrooms growing at higher elevations. Participants will learn how to […]
Explore the mountain after hours with your own personal guides during our Grandfather by Night series! You’ll discover some of the park’s nighttime wonders, watch a stunning sunset (weather permitting) and experience the mountain as never before! The evening starts atop Grandfather Mountain at the Mile High Swinging Bridge, where participants can explore and observe […]
The hardy settlers who made these mountains home were resourceful and made what they needed from what was at hand, and what was at hand was wood. We will examine the types of things Appalachian people have made for themselves from the forests around them like chairs, bowls, spoons, tool handles and more. We will […]
Explore the mountain after hours with your own personal guides during our Grandfather by Night series! You’ll discover some of the park’s nighttime wonders, watch a stunning sunset (weather permitting) and experience the mountain as never before! The evening starts atop Grandfather Mountain at the Mile High Swinging Bridge, where participants can explore and observe […]
Buddy Huffaker joined the Aldo Leopold Foundation in 1996 as a seasonal intern and has served as Executive Director since 1999. During his tenure, the foundation has grown into a national conservation organization with international reach, realizing the potential of a Land Ethic. Through educational and on-the-ground initiatives, Buddy's leadership of the foundation furthers the […]
Explore the mountain after hours with your own personal guides during our Grandfather by Night series! You’ll discover some of the park’s nighttime wonders, watch a stunning sunset (weather permitting) and experience the mountain as never before! The evening starts atop Grandfather Mountain at the Mile High Swinging Bridge, where participants can explore and observe […]
Join Mattie Decker, a certified forest therapy guide, for a relaxing 2 to 2.5-hour stroll through the forest at Grandfather Mountain. Through a series of invitations, you will have the opportunity to focus on being present in the moment, deepening your connection with nature and community and enjoying the many gifts nature has to offer. […]
Eleanor Spicer Rice, Ph.D., is an entomologist, award-winning author, and nationally recognized science communicator whose work explores the surprising connections between people and the natural world. She earned her doctorate in entomology from North Carolina State University and has since authored more than ten books, including the acclaimed DEADLIEST series and Ants: Workers of the World. Eleanor […]
Explore the mountain after hours with your own personal guides during our Grandfather by Night series! You’ll discover some of the park’s nighttime wonders, watch a stunning sunset (weather permitting) and experience the mountain as never before! The evening starts atop Grandfather Mountain at the Mile High Swinging Bridge, where participants can explore and observe […]
Explore the mountain after hours with your own personal guides during our Grandfather by Night series! You’ll discover some of the park’s nighttime wonders, watch a stunning sunset (weather permitting) and experience the mountain as never before! The evening starts atop Grandfather Mountain at the Mile High Swinging Bridge, where participants can explore and observe […]
Explore the mountain after hours with your own personal guides during our Grandfather by Night series! You’ll discover some of the park’s nighttime wonders, watch a stunning sunset (weather permitting) and experience the mountain as never before! The evening starts atop Grandfather Mountain at the Mile High Swinging Bridge, where participants can explore and observe […]
Grandfather Mountain is an amazing diversity hotspot for breeding birds in the southern Appalachians with more than 120 species detected during the nesting season. But those numbers go up even more during spring and fall migration. Its position along the escarpment and the quality, diversity, and extent of forests and other habitats nearby make it […]
Embrace your nocturnal side at Grandfather Mountain through Creatures of the Night and Bonfire Delight, the park's after-hours program where guests enjoy rare after-dark tours, fireside tales and a chance to meet the park's nighttime residents. The evening begins around the glow of a bonfire at the Woods Walk Picnic Area as night falls. Guests […]
One of the world’s first arbornauts, CanopyMeg devoted over four decades to exploring forest canopies. Her research and exploration have taken her to more than 45 countries, on all seven continents, where she not only tirelessly saves forests but also mentors girls. Lowman has published over 200 research publications. Her work has appeared in National […]
Back by popular demand, Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, is offering a sunset experiences in 2026. These special events, titled “Sunset at the Swinging Bridge,” will provide guests with the rare opportunity to be in the park outside of regular operating hours and to hopefully experience a […]
October is one of the best times of year to be stargazing at Grandfather Mountain. The air is cool and clear, and the summer constellations are still very prominent, with some early winter sights making their appearance later in the evening. This course also takes place during the time of the Orionid meteor shower, so […]