Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina, United States

5benton2569 5:00 PM Oct 21, 2021

Loved GFM!!!
As others have noted YOU MUST BUY TICKETS ONLINE - in advance of your planned visit. The website is pretty easy to use. You must select a planned time arrival time also. Tickets are $21 a person (not cheap). There are reduced rates for seniors, veterans and kids. They ay there may be extra tickets available at the entrance but I wouldn't chance it. Even though this is pricey it is still a great experience: the drive up the windy road with hairpin turns and gorgeous views, the mile high swinging bride, hiking trails, gift shop (and rest rooms), snack bar and a nature center (currently under construction) with a small animal park (bears, elk, otters, cougar and eagles). Bring some food or pack a lunch. - there are several places to park that have picnic tables and fantastic views of the countryside. Also bring a jacket and dress warm for the Swinging Bridge - it is over 5k feet above sea level. Temperatures are is much cooler at the top of the mountain plus It gets windy and the weather is constantly changing. At $21 per person you want to take your time and enjoy the views. FYI your entrance ticket is good all day so you can visit in the morning when it is less crowded and come back for sunset.

4Melyssa L 5:00 PM Aug 3, 2022

Mile High Views
Lots to see & do. You get an audio guide to listen to as you drive through the park. You do need to purchase tickets ahead and pick an entry time. They have a few enclosures where you can see black bears, bald eagles, elk, otters, mountain lions. Picnic tables are scattered throughout the park. There is a small food service area in the museum area, limited choices with a high mark up. I'd recommend bringing snacks or lunch if staying a while. You may have to wait to drive up to the top on a busy day, but it wasn't a long wait for us. The views are spectacular. The mile high swinging bridge is definitely a must do. We saw a very sweet guide escort a lady across who wasn't quite sure she could do it on her own. Don't miss the pictures in the small gallery showing some of the construction. Lots of trails to use. You could easily spend a day here or a few hours depending on what you want to do.