Remarkable Rhododendron Ramble At Grandfather Mountain Starts Early This Year!
The showy rose-lavender blooms that decorate Grandfather’s slopes and indicate the beginning of another breathtaking summer on the mountain have arrived early this year. The mild winter that brought an early advent for other floral mountain displays will likely move this year’s spectacular showcase of rhododendron on the Mountain forward as well.
The “Remarkable Rhododendron Ramble” hosted by the attraction’s naturalists will celebrate this memorable sight June 2-17 at 1 p.m. daily. Grandfather’s knowledgeable guides are looking forward to sharing the beauty of this year’s blooms with park visitors.
“I am really excited to show guests this wonderful flower and plant as it is very important to the Mountain,” said Katie Gray, chief naturalist at Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. “The history about Andre Michaux and the plant’s discovery is really interesting.”
The naturalists have planned guided walks to honor the native Catawba Rhododendron and educate guests on how the plant fits into the important ecological communities at Grandfather Mountain.
Found throughout the southern Appalachia, Catawba Rhododendron also hold special significance in the botanical world. It is among only four original species of rhododendron that have been used to cultivate thousands of hybrids. The Catawba Rhododendron covers more than 1,000 feet in elevation from MacRae Meadows to MacRae Peak where it reaches 5,845 feet. The wide range of elevation provides guests with a longer window of opportunity to see the rhododendron blooming on Grandfather. It typically first appears at overlooks near the entrance of the attraction in late May and arrives at the higher peaks near The Mile High Swinging Bridge by the end of June.
Due to this year’s unseasonably warm weather, blooms can already be found around MacRae Meadows. Staff naturalists may plan rhododendron-focused programs earlier than June 2 if the blooms are widespread late May.
“For each Rhodo Ramble we’ll lead guests on a short walk, teach them how to identify the differences between species, take pictures and discuss the vivid colors of this stunning plant,” said Gray. “Information boards in the Nature Museum and at the Entrance Gate will direct guests to where the ramble will begin.” All Rhododendron Ramble activities are included in the regular attraction admission.
The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation established to preserve Grandfather Mountain, operate the nature park sustainably in the public interest, provide an exceptional experience for guests, and inspire them to be good stewards of the earth’s resources. For more information, visit www.grandfather.com or call 800-468-7325.
The High Country Host is a regional travel promotion organization. For more information on accommodations, attractions, dining or shopping in the area please visit www.mountainsofnc.com or call 800-438-7500.
Experience Naturalist Weekend At Grandfather Mountain!
The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation is hosting its annual Naturalist Weekend May 11-13. This weekend provides guests with an in-depth look at the diversity found in the mountain’s ecological communities through guided hikes and workshops.
The weekend starts off Friday with the all-day Grandfather Spring Bird Count. During the bird count, visitors will be birding at various locations around Grandfather Mountain, including the Blue Ridge Parkway and Grandfather Mountain State Park. That evening, guests will be guided throughout the park looking and listening for Grandfather’s native nocturnal animals in the Owl Prowl. Space for both of Friday’s programs is limited and reservations are necessary.
“The Owl Prowl is one of the neatest events on the Mountain. We go to the top, discuss natural history, play owl calls and wait for the owls to return them.” said Katie Gray, chief naturalist at the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation.
Saturday’s busy schedule begins with a 9:30 a.m. Wildflower Hike and a “Birds of Prey” program at 11 a.m. Naturalist Weekend continues in the afternoon with a “Crayfish Research Project” at 1 p.m. offering participants an introduction to the project and an up-close look at some of Grandfather’s crayfish.
At 2 p.m., a Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation Interpretive Ranger leads guests on the “Nature on the Edge Hike.” This trek will follow the Extension Trail loop, starting and ending at the Black Rock Parking Area. This moderately strenuous hike focuses on the transition of habitats from the Mountain’s flanks to ridgeline. Space for this hike is limited and reservations are necessary.
Another plant-themed hike begins at 4 p.m. called “Trees and Shrubs of the Southern Appalachians.” This moderately strenuous hike focuses on the native trees and shrubs on Grandfather Mountain. This hike begins and ends at the Extension Trailhead next to the Black Rock Parking area.
Sunday’s schedule begins at 7:30 a.m. with a Birding Hike on the Profile Trail in Grandfather Mountain State Park. “Geology of Grandfather,” a hike focusing on the unique geology of Grandfather Mountain begins at 10 a.m.
A “NASA Climate Workshop” begins at 11 a.m. and a “Habitat Animal Training” program at 1 p.m. A “Tracking Animals” guided walk takes place at 2 p.m. and focuses on tracks and signs of animals. The weekend will come to a close with a “Cultural Walk” at 3 p.m. followed by a “Diseases on Trees and Local Plants” program at 4 p.m.
For more information about Grandfather’s Naturalist Weekend or to make reservations for the Owl Prowl or “Nature on the Edge Hike” please call 828-733-4326. To make reservations for the Spring Bird Count please call 828-733-3224. For a complete schedule of the Naturalist Weekend events, please visit www.grandfather.com.
All programs and guided walks offered as part of the Naturalist Weekend are included in the regular price of admission. Those who attend for more than one day should keep their receipt from their first visit and present that for discount admission the following day.
The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation established to preserve Grandfather Mountain, operate the nature park sustainably in the public interest, provide an exceptional experience for guests, and inspire them to be good stewards of the earth’s resources. For more information, visit www.grandfather.com or call 800-468-7325.
The High Country Host is a regional travel promotion organization. For more information on accommodations, attractions, dining or shopping in the area please visit www.mountainsofnc.com or call 800-438-7500.
Balsam Range To Perform At Grandfather Mountain On April 22nd!
The award-winning bluegrass band Balsam Range will appear at the Grandfather Mountain Nature Museum on Sunday, April 22 at 2 p.m.
Balsam Range, named after the Haywood County, NC mountains where the members of the group call home, was nominated for the Emerging Artist award by the International Bluegrass Music Association in 2010 and 2011 as well as Album of the Year in 2011. They were honored with the IBMA Song of the Year award last year for “Trains I Missed.” This “up close and personal” concert by the Western North Carolina tradition-bearers at Grandfather Mountain is a can’t-miss opportunity.
“We are excited to welcome the members of Balsam Range back to Grandfather Mountain,” said Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation President Penn Dameron. “The group delighted our visitors last September and we hope even more folks will take advantage of this great opportunity in April.”
Advance ticket sales begin Monday, April 9 and end Saturday, April 21 and are available on www.grandfather.com. Adults ages 13 and up are $25 and children ages four to 12 are $15. Children under four are always free. The ticket price includes all day admission to Grandfather Mountain and admission to the concert.
Grandfather Mountain annual pass holders and others who have already purchased admission to the park for the day can buy tickets to the concert online for $7 in advance or at the Nature Museum for $12 the day of the show.
The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship foundation is a not-for-profit corporation established to preserve Grandfather Mountain, operate the nature park in the public interest and participate in educational research activities. For more information, visit www.grandfather.com or call 800-468-7325.
The High Country Host is a regional travel promotion organization. For more information on accommodations, attractions, dining or shopping in the area please visit www.mountainsofnc.com or call 800-438-7500.
Inaugural 5K To Fund Eagle Habitat Renovations!

Since Grandfather Mountain added eagles to their showcase of indigenous North Carolina wildlife in 1981, these majestic birds-of-prey have been housed in an open-topped enclosure. All the eagles that have called Grandfather Mountain home were injured by gunshot, resulting in a full or partial wing amputation and leaving them completely flightless.
Their enclosure has remained beautiful and well maintained during this period, but several problems arose as a result of the absence of a fully enclosed habitat. Ravens, bears and other animals can enter the eagles’ home, stealing their food and posing a serious threat to their well-being.
Another drawback stemming from the park’s lack of a fully enclosed eagle habitat, is Grandfather’s inability to adopt other eagles that may be partially or fully flighted. Even though these eagles may have the ability to fly normally, other injuries, such as eye problems, could render them unable to hunt for food and survive in the wild.
The park’s habitat staff has been tirelessly fund raising for over a year in hopes of renovating the enclosure and their efforts are continuing this May with the first annual “Critter Crawl” at Grandfather Mountain. This 5K race begins in MacRae Meadows and ends at the top of Grandfather. It is a charity event where runners pay a $30 admission fee to participate. All of the money generated will directly benefit these pending renovations.
“We’ve been actively raising money for a year now in the community. We’re excited because the hope is that this race will finally allow the improvements to begin,” said Christie Tipton, Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation habitat manager. If the Critter Crawl is a success and all 500 running spots are filled, the renovation process will begin on the eagle habitat.
The $30 cost per runner includes: a “Critter Crawl” t-shirt and a free day-pass for the following weekend. T-shirts are only guaranteed for participants registering before April 19. Awards will be presented to the top three male and female competitors.
The “Critter Crawl” race is very similar to the popular “Bear Run” held each year during the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, but is unique in that it loops through the animal habitat pathways, giving runners the opportunity to view the eagle habitats they are helping to renovate. Online registration for the event begins March 1.
For registration information, please visit www.grandfather.com and for more information about the “Critter Crawl” or the eagle habitat renovation project, call 828-733-8715.
The High Country Host is a regional travel promotion organization. For more information on accommodations, attractions, dining or shopping in the area please visit www.mountainsofnc.com or call 800-438-7500.
First Annual “Critter Crawl” Set For May 3rd at Grandfather Mountain!
This May, the inaugural “Critter Crawl” kicks off at Grandfather Mountain. The 5K race begins in MacRae Meadows and ends at the top of Grandfather. All proceeds will directly benefit upcoming renovations to the Grandfather Mountain eagle habitats.
The race will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 3. To accommodate runners and race spectators, the park will end ticket sales at 4 p.m. and close at 5 p.m.
Online registration for the “Critter Crawl” begins March 1 with 500 spaces for runners available. The cost per participant is $30 and includes: a “Critter Crawl” t-shirt and a free day-pass for the following weekend. T-shirts will not be guaranteed for participants that register after April 19. Awards will be presented to the top three male and female competitors.
Parking passes, available during registration, are $10 per car. Spectators will be able to park in designated parking lots on Grandfather and MacRae Meadows on a first-come, first-serve basis. Shuttles will transport spectators to the top from each parking area.
For registration information, please visit www.grandfather.com and for more information about the “Critter Crawl” or the eagle habitat renovation project, call 828-733-8715.
The High Country Host is a regional travel promotion organization. For more information on accommodations, attractions, dining or shopping in the area please visit www.mountainsofnc.com or call 800-438-7500.




This summer at Grandfather Mountain brings a brand new event, offering participants unique and new opportunities on the Mountain. The First Annual Grandfather Mountain Campout July 27-29, is an all-weekend event hosted by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation.
The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation has lowered the cost of the ‘Keeper for a Day’ Program this year to $150 for guests and $120 for season-pass holders. The Mountain is also beginning to offer a three-hour option in addition to the full, six-hour option.
Advance tickets are now available for the 57th Annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, July 12-15. The Highland Games are a beacon of heritage and fun where the color of hundreds of tartan plaids and the clamor of half-a-dozen bagpipe bands grace the North Carolina High Country.







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