Grandfather Mountain Archives

Educator Workshop Series Returns to Grandfather Mountain in 2025 Beginning June 13

April 24, 2025 Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, has announced its educator workshops for 2025. These workshops, provided specifically to environmental educators in various professions, offer opportunities for career growth and professional development by using the wonders of Grandfather Mountain to further participants’ expertise.

April 14, 2025 Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, has once again updated its popular nighttime expedition series, Grandfather by Night, for 2025. The evening starts atop Grandfather Mountain at the Mile High Swinging Bridge, where participants can explore and observe sunset, weather permitting, from this lofty vantage point. During this time, park educators will be on hand to discuss the unique flora and crepuscular (active during twilight) fauna that call Grandfather home. Two variations of the Grandfather by Night series will be offered this year — the Twilight Hike and the Naturalist Program.

April 7, 2025 The mountains will be alive with the sound of music as Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, hosts a new event, “Sounds of Nature – Kids’ Music Day.” The fun-filled, nature-themed afternoon of music will take place Saturday, April 26 in the Williams Outdoor Learning Space, located next to the park’s Wilson Center for Nature Discovery. Families can groove to the sounds in nature through an interactive concert celebration, featuring lively performances from Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation staff, as well as visiting Chimney Rock State Park staff, plus eco-themed songs and hands-on activities.

March 28, 2025 February 2025 saw fairly standard conditions for the month on Grandfather Mountain, according to data recorded at the park’s official weather reporting stations. The average high temperature for February 2025 was 41.75 degrees Fahrenheit, with an average low of 26.09 degrees and a mean of 33.92 degrees. The warmest temperature recorded last month was 55.9 degrees on both Feb. 3 and Feb. 26, just over 8 degrees shy of the mountain’s record February high of 64 degrees, observed Feb. 22, 1977, and Feb. 15 and 16, 1989.

March 13, 2025 Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, will open its gates to High Country residents, employees, college students and their guests for only $5 each during the month of April, as the park’s “Dollar Days” promotion returns in time for spring. The promotion allows anyone who lives or works in Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Burke (added this year), Caldwell (added in 2024), Mitchell, Watauga or Wilkes counties — along with their guests traveling in the same vehicle — to visit at the discounted rate (per person).

March 13, 2025 Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, is gearing up for springtime, with daily programs, special experiences, a slate of events — including new happenings! — and beautiful blooms all ahead. “We are especially excited for spring this year,” said Jesse Pope, president and executive director of the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. “With our area ready to welcome visitors after Hurricane Helene and greatly needing the economic boost tourists provide, we are eagerly anticipating a return to a busier season on the mountain.” Check out these fun ways to explore, understand and value the wonders of Grandfather Mountain in the spring season.

March 3, 2025 January 2025 saw exceptionally chilly temperatures on Grandfather Mountain, according to data recorded at the park’s official weather reporting stations. The average high temperature for January 2025 was 26.32 degrees Fahrenheit (the second-lowest on record), with an average low of 12.93 degrees (the sixth-lowest on record) and a mean of 19.63 degrees (the third-lowest on record). The warmest temperature recorded last month was 50.9 degrees on Jan. 31, just over 14 degrees shy of the mountain’s record January high of 65 degrees, observed on Jan. 30, 2002. Jan. 20 saw the coldest temperature recorded last month with minus 4.4 degrees.

February 6, 2025. Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, has bid farewell to Ajax the bald eagle. Ajax died Wednesday, Feb. 5 following complications from an infection he developed. He was 11 years old. Ajax arrived at Grandfather Mountain on Aug. 26, 2015, estimated to be about 1 and a 1/2 years old. He came from the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey in Maitland, Fla., after falling from his nest on a golf course. The fall left him with a broken clavicle and humerus in his wing and a broken femur in his leg.

January 31, 2025. Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, has lined up an inspiring slate of events for the coming months. This year’s calendar kicks off with an event for environmental educators and also features a list of favorite annual happenings on the mountain – with some updates still to come. “It’s always exciting to enter a new season of events and bring new and returning guests to the mountain to experience them,” John Caveny, director of conservation and education for the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, said. “Our calendar is full of opportunities for exploration and education, and we look forward to learning from visitors as they learn from us.”

January 6, 2025 Grandfather Mountain is inviting folks to take their careers to new heights – literally. The Linville, N.C.-based nonprofit nature park and preserve, owned and operated by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, is hiring across its various departments for the 2025 season and beyond. Both seasonal and year-round positions are available, offering mountains of opportunities for job- and career-seekers. The organization is kicking it all off with the Grandfather Mountain Job and Volunteer Fair on Thursday, Jan. 16 from 2-5 p.m. The event will take place in the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery’s Classroom in the Clouds. Ten departments from across the mountain will be represented.

December 18, 2024 Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, has begun work on a new facility for young explorers, making use of and renovating the former Fudge Shop space. The hands-on science and environmental education center, called Yonni’s Clubhouse, will be geared toward children ages 5 to 12 and is set to open next to the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery in the second half of 2025. Interactive exhibits will focus on pollinators, climate, weather and ecosystems. Educational concepts highlighted in indoor exhibits will come to life outdoors through sensory and pollinator gardens, a nature trail, activities and interpretive signage.

November 27, 2024 Over 100 people came together today to discuss the Avery County housing recovery effort in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Volunteers, representatives from businesses and foundations and government officials joined individuals from Chief Cares, Mountain Ways, Samaritan’s Purse, Appalachia Service Project, American Red Cross and FEMA for a facilitated discussion about a more centralized and cohesive coordination of the housing rebuild efforts. The idea of a long-term recovery group for Avery County was also introduced, and attendees broke into smaller groups to form committees around areas of focus such as volunteer management, donations management, construction management and more. The meeting was hosted by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation and held at the Linville, N.C., nature park and preserve’s Wilson Center for Nature Discovery.

November 12, 2024. Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, will host a festive celebration on Thursday, Nov. 21 as the tree that will be on display at the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery this holiday season will be delivered. The hourlong event begins at 11 a.m. and is included with park admission. The tree, which will be harvested on Wednesday, Nov. 20, is from Mountain Top Fraser Fir farm in Newland, N.C. Owner Larry Smith has previously supplied trees to the White House, North Carolina State Capitol and other prominent government buildings and residences.

November 1, 2024 The Grandfather Mountain nature park was extremely fortunate to receive only minor damage from Hurricane Helene. A small number of trees fell during the storm, and only a few washouts or small landslides have been discovered. The mountain was impacted by the electricity, internet and cell signal outages that were widespread across the region in the weeks following the storm. A few days after Helene, the park was able to confirm that all staff and the mountain’s resident habitat animals were safe. Grandfather Mountain closed to the public on Sept. 26, the day before Hurricane Helene tore through the southeastern part of the country, leaving behind unimaginable effects on the communities surrounding the park. The mountain was closed to guests for 27 days.

September 25, 2024 Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, is set to begin its annual Fall Color Ramble, marking one of the most beautiful times of the year. This series of guided nature walks allows guests to experience the season’s signature colors like never before. The Fall Color Rambles will be offered daily, weather permitting, from Saturday, Oct. 5 through Monday, Oct. 14. The short excursions begin at 1 p.m. outside the entrance of the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery, and they typically last for 30 minutes.

September 24, 2024 Fall officially arrives Sunday, and the foliage on Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, is starting to show signs that the seasonal color change is upon us. Buckeyes and locusts are among the first tree species that turn at Grandfather every year, while maples typically get some red hue early on. The changing colors of the leaves are tied to several things. A variety of abiotic factors – like temperature, length of day, wind, solar radiation and more – impact the phenomenon of fall color and can trigger the trees to begin the process of entering winter dormancy.

September 10, 2024 Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, will be hosting its 53rd-annual Girl Scout Day on Saturday, Sept. 21. Girl Scouts and troop leaders are admitted free with proof of membership (all or part of a uniform or a troop roster with the leader’s name on it), and family members will receive discounted admission ($1 off child admission and $2 off adult admission). The day also includes special programming – from 10 a.m. to about 4 p.m. – for scouts, who are invited to join the park’s naturalists for an exciting learning adventure on Grandfather Mountain.

August 28, 2024 Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, has announced that it will be hosting its annual Junior Naturalist Day on Saturday, Sept. 7. Activities, included with admission, will be provided specifically for children ages 5 to 12 – though all ages are welcome – to explore their environment and experience all that Grandfather has to offer. Programming takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature birding with a naturalist, nature journaling, insect investigation and more.

August 27, 2024 Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, recently wrapped up construction on the Ginny Burton Education and Animal Care Facility, part of the nature park’s growing Conservation Campus. While the new space is not open to general guests, it will be a stop on Behind-the-Scenes Tours (one of the mountain’s special add-on experiences) offered by habitat staff. The facility is tailored to the needs of Grandfather’s growing education and habitat teams, providing more collaborative work space, a break room and private offices, while also allowing keepers to give top-level care for the animals that call the mountain home.

August 24, 2024 July 2024 saw a near-record high number of days of precipitation on Grandfather Mountain, according to data recorded at the park’s official weather reporting stations. There were 25 days of at least trace amounts of recorded liquid precipitation (rain and the liquid equivalent of frozen precipitation, when applicable) for July 2024, one day short of the record 26 days in 1982 and matching 1994 and 2019.

July 31, 2024 June 2024 was the second-driest June on record for Grandfather Mountain, according to data recorded at the park’s official weather reporting stations. The average high temperature for June 2024 was 65.34 degrees Fahrenheit, with an average low of 55.68 degrees and a mean of 60.51 degrees. The warmest temperature recorded last month was 74.5 degrees on June 26, more than 7 degrees shy of the mountain’s record June high of 82 degrees, observed June 1, 2011, and June 9, 2008. Generally, June sees spring-like weather conditions continue on Grandfather Mountain, with slightly warmer, summertime temperatures starting to arrive.

July 29, 2024 Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, is hosting its annual Animal Enrichment Day on Wednesday, July 31 and invites guests to come see firsthand how Grandfather Mountain cares for its resident animals. The event, which allows visitors to watch enrichment demonstrations, talk directly with keepers and participate in family-oriented interactive games, is included with admission.

July 19, 2024 Once a year, the second week in July. Tents are raised, kilts are dusted off, sporrans and Sgian-dubh are properly placed. People start pouring in from around the country, even parts of the world to Grandfather Mountain, NC, all with one thing in common–the gathering of the Grandfather Highland Games. It’s a time when those with Scot-Irish heritage and those without can learn and research history. It’s also a time for my sons–Laiden Gragg-Smith, Cam Gragg-Smith, Mason Gragg-Smith–and me to get in contact with our roots and a way to keep our heritage alive. We are made up of several different clans. On Saturday of last week (July 13), we were in attendance for the 68th annual Highland Games. By Tara Gragg Daniels

July 18, 2024 Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, and Kitty Hawk Kites are set to celebrate the flight of the latter’s founder and the first person to hang glide off the mountain, John Harris, with programming, a panel discussion and fun on Saturday, July 27. The two iconic North Carolina attractions and businesses are marking 50 years since that “first flight,” with activities open to Grandfather Mountain guests and included with regular admission. There will be no actual hang glider flights from the mountain during this celebration.

July 16, 2024 Nik Aston placed in the top four in all seven men’s heavy athletic events during the 2024 Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, earning him the top spot overall for the competition. This year marked Aston’s sixth competing at these games and his second as a professional. The 29-year-old from Los Lunas, N.M, is a personal trainer and strength-and-conditioning specialist. During his time as a graduate student at Appalachian State University, he approached someone at his gym with a Grandfather Mountain Highland Games shirt and asked how to get involved. This year, in his second competition as a pro, he notched first-place honors.

+ More Articles

Educator Workshop Series Returns to Grandfather Mountain in 2025 Beginning June 13

“Spruced Up” Grandfather by Night Series Returns to Grandfather Mountain for the Summer

Grandfather Mountain Announces New Event: “Sounds of Nature – Kids’ Music Day”

Grandfather Mountain February 2025 Weather Report Shows Fairly Standard Conditions

“Dollar Days” Set to Begin April 1 at Grandfather Mountain

Springtime Fun at Grandfather Mountain

Grandfather Mountain January 2025 Weather Report; Exceptionally Chilly Temperatures

Grandfather Mountain Mourns the Loss of Ajax the Bald Eagle

Grandfather Mountain Announces 2025 Special Events

Grandfather Mountain Kicks Off 2025 Hiring Season with Jan. 16 Job and Volunteer Fair

Grandfather Mountain’s Conservation Campus to Continue Expansion with New Interactive Education Center for Young Explorers

Avery County Housing Recovery Effort Meeting

Tree Arrival and Celebration to Kick Off Holiday Season at Grandfather Mountain on November 21

Grandfather Mountain – Disaster Relief Response and Economic Impacts From Helene

Annual Fall Color Ramble Returns to Grandfather Mountain on Oct. 5 with Guided Nature Walks

Plan Your Autumn Adventure at Grandfather Mountain ~ Insider Tips for Visiting

Grandfather Mountain to Host Girl Scout Day on Sept. 21 Robust Schedule of Offerings

Grandfather Mountain to Host Junior Naturalist Day on Sept. 7

Grandfather Mountain’s Conservation Campus Expands with New Ginny Burton Education and Animal Care Facility

Grandfather Mountain July 2024 Weather Report; Near-Record High Days of Precipitation

Grandfather Mountain June Weather Report; Second-Driest June on Record

Grandfather Mountain to Host Animal Enrichment Day on July 31

Guest Column – Why My Sons and I Love the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games

Grandfather Mountain and Kitty Hawk Kites Celebrate 50th Anniversary of First Hang Glider Flight at Grandfather with Commemorative Event at Linville, and Nature Park on July 27

Nik Aston Secures Top Spot in Men’s Heavy Athletics at Grandfather Mountain Highland Games