COVID-19 information for parks (Updated 3/26/2021)
Posted on: Friday, March 26, 2021 - 1:54pm |
Trails and restrooms are open. Restroom facilities are closed periodically throughout the day, so that staff can adhere to cleaning protocols. Please be patient with the staff during this time.
The park office is open from Wednesday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A properly worn mask or face covering, covering both your nose and mouth, is required to enter the office.
Backcountry campsites, including group campsites, are open. All campers must reserve a campsite online or by calling Aspira at 1-877-722-6762. You have until 9:00pm the day of your arrival to reserve the site; however, we recommend making your reservation before you go to the park, as cellular service is not reliable and Aspira's phone lines have recently had long wait times.
Visitors are expected to wear masks while in the park and adhere to the social distancing standards while on the trails and in the parking lot area. Entry to the park will be restricted if the park reaches max capacity or if social distancing standards are not being adhered to.
Please note: the Grandfather Mountain attraction (Mile-High Swinging Bridge) is managed by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. Please visit their website for their current operating status.
Please note that this alert is updated only when something changes. Generally, state parks are following the phased reopening statewide. As of October 3, we are following modified Phase 3.
Last updated on: Monday, October 5, 2020
9872 N.C. 105 S.
Suite 6
Banner Elk, NC 28604
4198 N.C. 105 N.
Banner Elk, NC 28604
P.O. Box 9
Linville, NC 28646
Mile marker: 299.9
Blue Ridge Parkway
Banner Elk, NC 28604
Blowing Rock Highway
(U.S. 221)
Blowing Rock, NC 28605
2050 Blowing Rock Highway
Linville, NC 28646
►
►
Grandfather Mountain has been an icon in North Carolina’s landscape for generations, offering stunning scenery and unmatched ecological diversity. This state park opens the mountain’s 2,456-acre backcountry to spectacular hiking and backpacking. The park is known for some of the South’s most severe weather and challenging terrain, with trails that have hikers scrambling along cliffs and up ladders. Access to 12 miles of trails and backpack camping sites is generally from the Profile Trailhead on NC 105 or trailheads along the adjacent Blue Ridge Parkway. However, trails can also be reached from the park of the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation (which includes the mile-high swinging bridge and other attractions) and there is a fee for this access.
Grandfather Mountain State Park is currently accepting applications for the following seasonal positions:
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: There is no shuttle service to or from any of the trailheads. If you hike to the swinging bridge or any other trailhead, you must be able to hike back.
Park Maps and Brochures:
We are now accepting applications for 2021 seasonal positions with Grandfather Mountain State Park.
For more information, visit our office at
9872 Hwy 105 South, Suite #6 (Banner Elk).
Office Hours: Mon-Fri (8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.)
You may also contact us at 828-963-9522 or
grandfather.mountain@ncparks.gov
Applications can be obtained by clicking here.
