Photography and Video Policies

For decades, photographers have flocked to Grandfather Mountain to photograph the spectacular vistas and unique terrain. Please familiarize yourself with our Photography and Video Policy, and contact the Marketing and Communications Team at media@grandfather.com with any questions and requests. If you are writing a feature about us, please see our Media Center for more resources.

Personal Photography and Video Policies

Taking photographs and video while on Grandfather Mountain property is permitted for personal use only. Guests wishing to photograph and video the Mountain must abide by all regular rules and conditions of the park, including but not limited to:

— Refrain from walking on roadways.
— Stay on designated trails and pathways at all times. This includes marked nature trails, habitat pathways and designated pathways at the Mile High Swinging Bridge.
— Do not move, remove or alter the park property or natural landscapes without prior written approval from the Marketing and Communications Team.
— Do not block guest traffic at any time. Do not block pathways (including the Mile High Swinging Bridge), scenic areas or trails.

Aerial Photography and Video

Recreational aerial photography and video of Grandfather Mountain, including the use of unmanned aerial vehicles or drones, is strictly prohibited. Commercial aerial photography and video is prohibited without consent from our Marketing and Communications Team, available during regular office business hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Requests must be made at least two weeks in advance.

Commercial or Portrait Photography and Video

All commercial uses of photography and video taken at Grandfather Mountain are prohibited without written consent from the Marketing and Communications Team. Any company or brand wishing to film or photograph at Grandfather Mountain must receive prior approval.

In addition, engagement, bridal, wedding or any other portrait photography or video sessions are not permitted without written consent from the Marketing and Communications Team. Simply paying park admission and entering the park does not give one permission to conduct a photo or video shoot. This policy also applies for MacRae Meadows.

All requests much be made at least two weeks in advance.

Photography and Video Sessions During Park Hours

Please see our list of operating hours for the year here.

Please note, approvals granted for commercial or portrait photography and video inside the park, during park hours, will be extremely limited and rarely permitted. The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation is a nonprofit organization that runs the private park and reserves the right to refuse any project or proposal. Availability for shoots or projects during holiday weekends or during fall color season (late September – October) is extremely limited.

MacRae Meadows is bookable for portrait sessions during park hours, certain times of the year. Pricing for this booking starts at $75 per hour and at least one hour must be paid for before the session starts. Large props are not permitted to be brought into the Meadows. Vehicles are not allowed in the Meadows. Please note that you are not booking MacRae Meadows for exclusive access. There may be other folks in the Meadows walking or enjoying the view. There is no restroom or building access in the Meadows.

Commercial shoots are not allowed in the Meadows without prior approval.

All requests must be made at least two weeks in advance to media@grandfather.com.

Photography and Video Sessions After Park Hours

Requests for photography and video sessions that would take place after park hours should be made to media@grandfather.com at least two weeks in advance.

MacRae Meadows is bookable for portrait sessions after park hours, certain times of the year. Pricing for this booking starts at $75 per hour and at least one hour must be paid for before the session starts. Large props are not permitted to be brought into the Meadows. Vehicles are not allowed in the Meadows. Please note that you are not booking MacRae Meadows for exclusive access. There may be other folks in the Meadows walking or enjoying the view. There is no restroom or building access in the Meadows.

Scenic areas inside the park such as, but not limited to: Half Moon Overlook, Woods Walk, Cliffside Picnic Area, Scheer Bluff, Linville Peak and the Mile High Swinging Bridge are bookable for portrait sessions after park hours, certain times of the year.

Pricing for this in-park booking starts at $150 per hour and at least one hour must be paid for before the session starts. Large props are not permitted to be brought in. Access to buildings is not permitted. All park policies must be followed.

All parties must be out of the park or MacRae Meadows before dark. The end time of the session will be agreed to by contract and must be adhered to.

The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation is a nonprofit organization that runs the private park and reserves the right to refuse any project or proposal. Availability for shoots or projects during holiday weekends or during fall color season (late September – October) is extremely limited.

Grandfather Mountain State Park (backcountry trails)

Please note that the Grandfather Mountain State Park has its own procedure for approval of commercial photography or filming. Contact the State Park Superintendent at (828) 963-9522 for information.

Other Guidelines

The image, logos and name of Grandfather Mountain are registered trademarks and cannot be used by outside parties without permission from the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation.

The Stewardship Foundation reserves the right to charge fees associated with photography and/or film sessions as deemed necessary by our Marketing and Communications Team or to modify our policy based on the nature and required conditions of the requested session.

To obtain consent for a filming or photography project, please email media@grandfather.com or call (828) 733-2013.