There are no fees for hiking or camping permits, but hikers and campers must be able to produce a valid permit when on state park trails or campsites. This permit system ensures safety for hikers and helps us protect the natural resource. Hikers and campers must leave a white copy of the camping permit and keep the yellow copy in their possession. Permits can be obtained from the locations listed below;
- Blue Moon Station (formally Grandfather Mtn Market) at the 221/Holloway Mtn Rd junction
- Mast Store in Boone off King Street
- Mast General Store Annex in Valle Cruis
- Grandfather Mountain Ticket Gate on US 221
- Footsloggers on US 221 in Blowing Rock
- Exxon at junction of Hwy 105 and Hwy 184
- Footsloggers on South Depot Street in Boone
Permits are also available at the Profile Trailhead parking area and along the Tanawha Trail before accessing the Nuwati and Daniel Boone Scout Trails from the Boone Fork parking lot on the Blue Ridge Parkway. These locations are also self-registration points. Completed permits can be dropped off here.
There are three entry points to the hiking trails in Grandfather Mountain State Park.
West Side - From NC 105 near its intersection with NC 184 in Banner Elk, the trailhead for the Profile Trail offers parking. Near the ridge area, the Profile Trail connects to other trails in the system.
East Side - From the Blue Ridge Parkway area, there are two points of access. Most hikers use the Boone Fork Parking Area at mile 299.9 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The second is the Parkway's Asutsi Trail, which begins across from Serenity Farm on US 221 (the only winter access when the Parkway is closed). From either of these points, hikers can follow the Parkway's Tanawha Trail south to reach Grandfather's Nuwati/Daniel Boone Scout Trailhead. (Note: no camping is allowed on trails of the National Park Service on the Blue Ridge Parkway).
Grandfather Mountain Attraction - A parking area for hikers located just below the summit area has short connectors that link to the 'backcountry' trail system. You may also use this parking area to access the shorter trails within the attraction. Entrance fees apply to all hikers who use this parking area and this entry to the backcountry trail system. It is not necessary to pay entrace fees to obtain a camping permit if you are not entering the attraction.