New COVID-19 information for parks under phase 2.5
Posted on: Wednesday, September 16, 2020 - 5:00pm |
Nuwati Trail
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 September 11, 2020, we are following the new guidelines under phase 2.5.
Last updated on: Friday, September 11, 2020Park Maps and Brochures:
Upcoming Events:
Nuwati Trail
This trail follows the track of an old logging road. It’s an easy but rocky hike, including a spectacular view of the Boone Bowl and Calloway Peak from Storyteller's Rock. There are stream crossings, a solitary stand of big-tooth aspens and reminders of logging days gone by. Use extreme caution on stream crossings - do not attempt crossing streams in high water.
Note: From the Blue Ridge Parkway area, there are two points of access. Visitors may park at the Boone Fork parking area at mile 299.9 on the Blue Ridge Parkway or the Parkway’s Asutsi Trail, which begins on US 221 (the only winter access when the Parkway is closed)(Asutsi Trail Parking GPS: 36.116354, -81.777297). Hikers can follow the Parkway’s Tanawha Trail to reach the Nuwati trailhead.
Contact the park
828-963-9522
grandfather.mountain@ncparks.gov
Addresses
Park office
9872 N.C. 105 S.
Suite 6
Banner Elk, NC 28604
GPS: 36.1549, -81.7872
Profile Trail parking area
4198 N.C. 105 N.
Banner Elk, NC 28604
GPS: 36.1197, -81.8350
Mailing address
P.O. Box 9
Linville, NC 28646
Other accesses
Boone Fork parking area
Mile marker: 299.9
Blue Ridge Parkway
Banner Elk, NC 28604
GPS: 36.1200, -81.7813
(managed by NPS)
Asutsi Trail parking area
Blowing Rock Highway
(U.S. 221)
Blowing Rock, NC 28605
GPS: 36.1163, -81.7773
(managed by NPS)
Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation
2050 Blowing Rock Highway
Linville, NC 28646
GPS: 36.0851, -81.8462
(fee charged)
Hours
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- To accommodate early hikes, park gates are not closed on a daily basis. However, they may close due to weather conditions.
- November to February:
8:00am to 6:00pm
- March to May:
8:00am to 8:00pm
- June to August:
8:00am to 9:00pm
- September to October:
8:00am to 8:00pm
- Closed Christmas Day
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- Open Monday to Friday:
8:00am to 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.
- Closed Christmas Day