ALL NORTH CAROLINA STATE PARKS: GENERAL STATUS OF FACILITIES AND GUIDELINES WHEN VISITING PARKS
Posted on: Wednesday, May 27, 2020 - 2:15pm |
Profile Trail
Backcountry campsites are open at Grandfather Mountain State Park, with the exception of group campsites. 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.
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 remains closed.
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.
Last updated on: Friday, May 22, 2020Park Maps and Brochures:
Upcoming Events:
Profile Trail
Ascending about 1,775 feet over 3.6 miles, this trail begins at the Profile Trail parking area at 4198 NC Hwy 105 N and ends at the Grandfather Trail at Calloway Gap. Beginning as a scenic, rolling pathway through seasonal wildflowers, this trail crosses the Watauga River and travels under a hardwood canopy for much of its length. Upper sections, beginning around Foscoe View, get steeper. Shanty Spring, at 3.2 miles, marks a transition into a strenuous pathway of tumble-down rock that joins the Grandfather Trail after a climb of 0.4 mile. It makes the transition out of the hardwoods and into the Canadian fir zone of the crest area. The upper section is steep and rocky and calls for careful footwork; this section is not recommended for pets. Use extreme caution on stream crossings — do not attempt in high water.
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