Spring Visits
Springtime on the mountain brings the return of daily programs, special experiences, a slate of events — including new 2026 happenings! — and beautiful blooms.
Check out these fun ways to explore, understand and value the wonders of Grandfather Mountain in the spring season.
Spring is an ideal time to visit Grandfather Mountain, as the park’s flora and fauna become energized with the initial signs of warmer weather — and Grandfather Mountain’s talented team of educators is on hand to showcase these natural wonders, all included with the price of admission.
Starting March 21, Grandfather begins offering daily programming, including Keeper Talks, during which guests can talk with park educators about the habitat animals — black bears, cougars, river otters, bald eagles and elk — and watch them receive an enrichment. Enrichments are special treats, new toys or unfamiliar scents designed to break up the animals’ routines and help keep them active and intellectually stimulated. Keeper Talks run between 10 and 15 minutes and are held daily, every half hour from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., March 21 to Nov. 8, in the environmental wildlife habitats area.
During Grandfather’s Junior Naturalist program, park educators help younger guests use scientific tools to make observations about natural phenomena. These 30-minute programs start at the Jr. Naturalist Table located in Yonni’s Clubhouse and are held at 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekends from March 21 to May 24 and daily May 25 to Sept. 7. The program switches to weekends Sept. 12 through Nov 8.
For those who wish to reach new heights, the 15- to 20-minute Peaks and Profiles program will be offered daily at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. by the Mile High Swinging Bridge. Grandfather’s educators discuss the mountain’s unique weather, climate, flora and fauna at this program.
Animal Encounters invite guests to come face-to-face with some of the mountain’s off-display educational animal ambassadors while a park educator answers questions about that particular animal. Encounters last about 30 minutes and are held at 2 p.m. on weekends March 21 to May 24, daily May 25 to Sept. 7 and on weekends Sept. 12 to Nov. 8 at the habitat path above the otter habitat (or at the Wilson Center on inclement weather days).
Inside the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery, Random Acts of Science allows guests to learn about native plants and animals, use weather instruments to record data, investigate minerals, skulls or even tiny organisms under a microscope — and more, as it varies every day. Educators host the 30- to 45-minute event at 12 p.m. Monday through Friday and at 12 p.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on weekends.
May Wildlife Rehab Center Animal Talks allow participants to meet some of the ambassador animals from Lees-McRae College’s May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and learn about these birds, animal rehabilitation and wildlife protection. These talks are held Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Williams Outdoor Learning Space from May 30 to July 25.
To learn more about these Grandfather Mountain daily programs and others, visit www.grandfather.com/daily-programs.
From April 4 to Nov. 1, Grandfather Mountain will host special experiences, like “Meet the Bears” and Behind-the-Scenes Tours, available at an additional cost.
Meet-the-Bears Tours take participants 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. Meet-the-Bears Tours are offered on weekends. Tours last approximately 30 minutes and are offered at 11 a.m. Reservations are required.
Behind-the-Scenes Habitat Tours allow guests to see where the cougars and otters sleep overnight, meet black bears that are not commonly on display, learn the ins and outs of what it takes to care for the animals year-round, observe a training session and find out why the animals call Grandfather Mountain home. Behind-the-Scenes Habitat Tours are offered on weekends. Tours last one hour and are offered at 12:30 p.m. and 1:15 p.m. Reservations are required.
“Paint with a Bear” allows participants to meet a bear, choose nontoxic paint colors for the artwork and watch as a habitat keeper guides the animal through the painting enrichment. Participants are able to select the painting they like the best to take home. The experience lasts for 30 minutes and is offered on weekends at 11:30 a.m.
“Keeper for a Day” offers participants the unique experience of learning how to care for Grandfather’s resident animals, clean their habitats and prepare their food. “Keeper for a Day” also includes a painting session with one of the habitat animals. This three-hour “work shift” is offered on Tuesday mornings, April through October.
To learn more about Grandfather Mountain experiences, visit www.grandfather.com/experiences.
Individuals with limited mobility should inquire about availability when booking “Meet the Bears” or “Paint With a Bear.” A UTV is available to transport guests with mobility issues if lined up in advance.
This spring, Yonni’s Clubhouse, a hands-on science and conservation education center geared toward children ages 5-12, will officially open next to the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery!
The new facility is designed to combine learning and fun by integrating indoor and outdoor educational opportunities, demonstrating how concepts taught in a classroom can play out in nature. Interactive exhibits focus on pollinators, climate, weather and ecosystems. Educational concepts highlighted in indoor exhibits will come to life outdoors through sensory and pollinator gardens, a nature trail, activities and interpretive signage.
The ADA-accessible space includes a covered porch to support programing, a seek-and-find nature forest mural, glass exhibit habitats for educational animals, a microscope station and so much more!
Spring and the leaves starting to bud on trees is always a welcome sight after winter at Grandfather. Dutchman’s breeches, spring beauties, trout lilies and squirrel corn are just some of the very first wildflowers of the spring. Spring color in our Blue Ridge Mountains begins in the warmer valleys in April and gradually spreads up the slopes through June. You can even see the blooming and greening of the hillsides from one of our many scenic overlooks.
The months of May and June see the beloved rhododendrons, azaleas and mountain laurel make their return, among others. A treat in late April and May, pink-shell azalea can be found growing across the park. This subspecies of the rhododendron family, considered vulnerable globally, has delicate pink blooms.
Visitors hoping to take in the sights, and scents, of the bountiful blooms on the mountain can plan ahead by referencing Grandfather’s Wildflower Bloom Calendar at www.grandfather.com/wildflowers-calendar.
For daily spring color updates, visit our 2026 Spring Color Gallery (starting in April).