Park Maps and Brochures:
The New Profile Trailhead is Open. It is .3 mile south of the old trailhead on highway 105. The address is 4198 Highway 105, Banner Elk 28646.
Posted on: Saturday, July 1, 2017 - 7:09amGrandfather Mountain State Park offers a variety of learning opportunities for all ages. Typically led by park rangers, these interpretive programs allow the public to gain perspective into what makes North Carolina state parks naturally wonderful.
Most of the events are free, though some require pre-registration. All give park visitors deeper insight into the natural world. Call the park office for more information.
Appropriate for ages 8 and up; children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Please no pets.
Join a park ranger to explore the lower Profile Trail in the twilight hours. We’ll hope to see and hear nocturnal wildlife and enjoy the woods in that special time of the day. We’ll walk approximately one mile, round trip. Bring a flashlight or headlamp and dress for the weather. Closed toes shoes are highly recommended.
Appropriate for ages 8 and up; children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Please no pets.
Join a park ranger to explore the lower Profile Trail in the twilight hours. We’ll hope to see and hear nocturnal wildlife and enjoy the woods in that special time of the day. We’ll walk approximately one mile, round trip. Bring a flashlight and dress for the weather. Closed toes shoes are highly recommended.
FREE and open to the public – fun for adults and kids, families and friends!
Join us to celebrate the mountain, state parks, natural resources, local history, environmental education, the Year of the Spider.
Grandfather Mountain State Park's "Get Outside Day"!!!
There will be several activities and programs led by State Park's Ranger Sharon Becker and a couple presentations on the Spruce Fir Moss Spider by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Sue Cameron.
Scheduled hikes led by Blue Ridge Hiking Club will leave out at:
9am To Calloway Peak; 930am To Shanty Spring; 10am To Profile View
*RSVP to 828-963-9522 to register for hikes or with question about them.
Meet Randy Johnson, Author of the book "Grandfather Mountain The History And Guide To An Appalachian Icon" and have him sign your book.
Appropriate for all ages (Children 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult)
Have you ever looked up at the clouds and formulated an image of something into them (for example you see the image of a dog when you look at the cloud)? Chances are you were looking at a cumulonimbus cloud. Join Ranger Sicard to learn how to identify cloud types and what kind of weather is associated with the each cloud. Participants have the option to make a cloud poster to take with them at the end of the presentation. This program will be held at Boone Fork Parking area at 2pm and will last approximately 30 minutes. If wanting to stay and make a cloud poster plan to stay an additional 20 minutes after the presentation. If it is raining the program will be held at the park office 9872 Hwy 105 S. Please no pets. Please dress appropriately for the weather conditions. For more information please call Andy Sicard at the park office 828-963-9522 or email: andy.sicard@ncparks.gov.
Appropriate for all ages (Children 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult). Please leave pets at home.
The wilds of the Southern Appalachians can be a useful to those knowledgeable in woodcraft and a curse to those who consume a misidentified plant. Join a Ranger for a stroll through the woods and learn some science and folklore behind our botanical bounty. We will not be collecting or consuming plants during this program. Please dress for current weather conditions and wear sturdy hiking shoes.
November - February: 8am - 6pm
March, April, May, September, October: 8am - 8pm
June, July, August: 8am - 9pm
To accommodate early hikes, park gates are not closed on a daily basis; however, they may close due to weather conditions.
OFFICE HOURS: The state park office is open Monday through Friday, 8am - 4:30pm. You may contact our office during business hours or after hours; leave a message and we will return your call as soon as possible.
ATTENTION HIKERS:
If you are accessing the state park trails through the private Grandfather Mountain Attraction and parking at the Black Rock or Top Shop Parking Lots, please note that overnight parking is not permitted within the attraction. If you have a vehicle in their parking lot, you must return from your hike by their closing time. Hikers should contact the attraction for their hours of operation. 828.733.4337
** Important: Be aware that there is no shuttle service from the attraction back to your vehicle at other trailheads. The same is true for hiking from the bridge - there is no shuttle service from the trail parking lots back to vehicles left at the private attraction.
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 9
Linville, NC 28646
