Celebrate the rhododendron blooms with guided rambles, kids crafts and special displays. See the blossoms and learn about their history, attributes and roles they play in the mountain’s ecological communities.
NEW! This will be a day of fun and interactive programs meant to be attended by the whole family. Take your grandchildren … or grandparents(!) … and explore nature together!
Grandfather Mountain is a 720-acre attraction operated by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. All proceeds from sales of tickets and souvenirs go toward caring for and presenting Grandfather Mountain in a manner that inspires good stewardship in others. The State of North Carolina owns 2,500 acres of Grandfather’s undeveloped backcountry, which it operates as Grandfather Mountain State Park. Walk across the Mile-High Swinging Bridge, observe indigenous animals including black bears, deer, eagles, cougars, in their habitats, learn about endangered animals and rare plants in the museum, and hike the trails around the park. Take the Linville exit (MP 305) and Grandfather Mountain is one mile South on Hwy 221. Trails: Various Views: 360 degree views Picnic Tables: Yes (and Restaurant at attraction) Camping: Yes (dispersed inside State Park)
The Blowing Rock is a rock formation that juts out over the John’s River Gorge at about 4000 feet above sea level. The views of the gorge and the Pisgah Forest are immense and breathtaking. The Blowing Rock is so named because of the constant winds that flume up from the surrounding rocky walls. The rock itself is also unique, and is a visual testament to the formation process of the surrounding mountains. This particular rock is officially designated The Blowing Rock Gneiss by Geological Survey of The United States. www.theblowingrock.com. Access to the Blue Ridge Parkway is just 3 miles from the Blowing Rock attraction. The Parkway was built to appreciate the surrounding beauty of the Blue Ridge, and the section between Blowing Rock and Grandfather Mountain is not a disappointment. Wide views are common and can be appreciated from the many overlook areas provided. www.nps.gov/blri Grandfather Mountain is a short trip away from Blowing Rock. When conservationist John Muir visited Grandfather Mountain in 1898 he described the experience as, “the face of all Heaven come to earth.” The mountain is home to 16 distinct natural communities that can be experienced through a network of trails. There is also a nature museum, animal habitats (for otters, black bears, cougars, and more) and the Mile-High Swinging Bridge. All the attractions, including the spectacular view from the top, are easily accessible by vehicle. www.grandfather.com The Linville Gorge and Linville Falls are also nearby. They are most easily accessed from the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 316 (for reference, Blowing Rock is located at milpost 294). There is a visitor center located here, and trails to views of the massive falls. Sometimes called the “Grand Canyon of North Carolina,” the gorge is one of only two wilderness gorges in the Southern US. The rough terrain is home to miles of old-growth forests and a diverse plant and animal community. The Falls mark the northern end of the gorge. http://ncnatural.com/Resources/Adventure/Gorge/Linville-Gorge.html Linville Caverns is just another 12 miles from the Linville Falls Parkway Visitor Center. Located just off Hwy 221, the caverns are surprisingly accessible. They are the only limestone caverns open to the public in North Carolina. Visitors can take tours inside the mountain to see the beautiful formations and colors within the caverns. www.linvillecaverns.com
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