Appropriate for ages 13 and older; children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Are you “at the end of your rope”, “fit to be tied”, or just “Knot” sure of what knot to tie and when to use it…Join Ranger Sicard for a hands on application of how to tie some basic knots that can be used in a variety of ways from lashing items to packs to securing canoes to the top of a vehicle. Please contact the park office for more information. 828-963-9522 or grandfather.moutain@ncparks.gov.
Events and Programs
Park Maps and Brochures:
Update: New Profile Parking Area Due to open in Mid-June
Construction for a new parking lot for the Profile Trail is underway. The project opening date is mid-June. The new parking lot and trailhead will be 0.3 miles south on Highway 105 from the existing parking lot and trailhead. When the new area is open, the existing lot and trailhead will be closed.
Posted on: Friday, May 19, 2017 - 2:14pmEvents and Programs
Grandfather 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.
Date of Event:
Sat, 07/01/2017 - 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Start Location:
Boone Fork Parking Area (Just north of the 300 Milepost on Blue Ridge Parkway) (GPS: 36.120076,-81.781358) http://goo.gl/dEizYH
Appropriate for ages 10 and up (Children 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult). Please leave pets at home.
Celebrate State Parks “Year Of The Spider” by Joining Ranger Sicard for a PowerPoint presentation focused on the Spiders that can be found in North Carolina. This program will discuss the basic types of spiders and species that we have as well as some identifying markings on the spider.
Please contact the park office with any questions: 828-963-9522 or grandfather.mountain@ncparks.gov.
Date of Event:
Sun, 07/02/2017 - 6:00pm to 7:30pm
Start Location:
Park Office - 9872 Hwy 105 S, Suite 6, Banner Elk (Google Map: https://goo.gl/Uq0vrX)
Appropriate for ages 10 and up (Children 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult). Please leave pets at home.
What makes Grandfather Mountain State Park so special, It is a Biosphere Reserve. Join Ranger Sicard for a PowerPoint presentation explaining what a Biosphere Reserve is and why Grandfather Mountain State Park is so fortunate to be a Biosphere Reserve.
Please contact the park office with any questions: 828-963-9522 or grandfather.mountain@ncparks.gov.
Date of Event:
Sat, 07/15/2017 - 6:00pm to 7:30pm
Start Location:
Park Office - 9872 Hwy 105 S, Suite 6, Banner Elk (Google Map: https://goo.gl/Uq0vrX)
Appropriate for ages 13 and up; children 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Have you ever wanted to learn how to navigate by map and compass instead of the GPS on your phone or car? Here is your chance, join Ranger Sicard and learn the basics of map and compass skills for your next hike or to go bury that trunk of treasure you have and let “X mark the spot” so you will find it again.
Date of Event:
Sun, 07/16/2017 - 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Start Location:
Park Office - 9872 Hwy 105 S, Suite 6, Banner Elk (Google Map: https://goo.gl/Uq0vrX)
Appropriate for all ages. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. No pets please.
How many times have you walked passed something and not realized it was there until it was pointed out to you or it moved? Chances are pretty good this has happened to you and if so this program is for you. Join Ranger Sicard to celebrate "Grandparents Day" and learn the many ways animals use camouflage in the wild and also how to be more attentive when hiking out on the trails to notice more neat things than what is right on the trail. This will be about a 30-minute program consisting of a presentation and an interactive part for attendees to try and locate several “staged” animals in the area around where the program is held. To attend, meet at the Boone Fork Parking Area located on the Blue Ridge Parkway at mile post 299.9. Please call the park office if you have any questions 828-963-9522. Email: grandfather.mountain@ncparks.gov.
Date of Event:
Sat, 08/12/2017 - 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Start Location:
Boone Fork Parking Area (Just north of the 300 Milepost on Blue Ridge Parkway) (GPS: 36.120076,-81.781358) http://goo.gl/dEizYH
Contact:
Grandfather Mountain State Park
9872 Hwy 105 S (Suite #6)
Banner Elk, NC 28604Phone828-963-9522
grandfather.mountain@ncparks.gov
Latitude: 36.111200
Longitude: -81.811140
Park Hours:
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