Grandfather Mountain Kidfest Theme Inspired by Pokémon GO

September 10, 2016   KidFest at Grandfather Mountain    A day designed to get kids excited about the nature and culture of the North Carolina Mountains through fun and entertaining activities. Guided hikes, games, storytellers, music and fun. The events are free with park admission.

“KidFest is Grandfather's annual event to showcase the park’s natural wonders to our younger visitors,” said Mickey Shortt, director of education and natural resources for the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, the nonprofit organization that oversees the Linville NC travel attraction and nature preserve. 


This year’s theme is “Grandfather GO,” inspired by the popular mobile video game, “Pokémon GO,” in which players must use their handheld device to “capture” simulated creatures.  In “Grandfather GO,” however, young participants will focus on finding the real deal in a park-wide scavenger hunt. “The purpose of the scavenger hunt is to get kids thinking about wildlife on Grandfather Mountain, particularly that which is unique to the mountain,” Grandfather Mountain education specialist Amy Renfranz said.

Running from 11 AM to 4 PM, “Grandfather GO” will feature a series of stations located throughout the mountain, which participants can find using a map they’re given at arrival.

Find complete details at the website.

Halloween Events: Beary Scary Halloween on Grandfather Mountain

photo courtesy Grandfather Mountain

October 31, 2015   Beary Scary Halloween at Grandfather Mountain   Celebrate Halloween early at Grandfather Mountain with a full day of crafts, nature programs, trick-or-treating in the animal habitats and a costume contest. 

Participate in an interactive program titled “Going Batty for Bats.” Children in costume enter the park for half-price. Events are included with park admission. 

Grandfather mountain is the highest mountain in the Blue Ridge Mountain range at an elevation of 5,964 feet.  The Mile High Swinging Bridge gives visitors easy access to the breath-taking view from Grandfather Mountain's Linville Peak. 

Grandfather Mountain is a Nature Lovers' favorite offering Wildlife habitats, Nature Walks and Trails, Nature Programs, and a Nature Museum.  The complex natural terrain includes 16 different classifications of natural communities with backcountry trails providing access to all. 

Grandfather Mountain Habitat has a New Eagle

Sitka, a new female bald eagle arrived at Grandfather Mountain on October 16 2013, and was introduced to Griffin, the male bald eagle that has been living in the habitat since May 2013. The female eagle came from the Alaska Raptor Center and has been named after the town where the center is located, Sitka. 

Sitka had suffered an injury to her right wing before arriving at the Alaska Raptor Center and was deemed unable to survive in the wild. Before Sitka was released into the habitat at Grandfather Mountain she received a medical check from Lee Bolt, DVM of Sweeten Creek Animal and Bird Hospital in Asheville, NC, and was found to be very healthy. Sitka's exact age is not known but darker feathers on her head may indicate that she is around five years old.

Sitka’s introduction to the eagle habitat and to Griffin is going very well. As expected the raptor is showing some signs of stress and anxiety but overall the habitat staff members and Dr. Bolt couldn’t ask for a better transition. The two eagles have been observed flying to sit on the same perch with each other...Read more

Grandfather mountain is the highest mountain in the Blue Ridge Mountain range at an elevation of 5,964 feet.  The Mile High Swinging Bridge gives visitors easy access to the breath-taking view from Grandfather Mountain's Linville Peak. Grandfather Mountain is a Nature Lovers' favorite offering Wildlife habitats, Nature Walks and Trails, Nature Programs, and a Nature Museum.  The complex natural terrain includes 16 different classifications of natural communities with backcountry trails providing access to all.

Annual Singing on the Mountain this Weekend

June 23   Singing on the Mountain  Now in its 89th year, the “Singing” is a day-long country gospel convention held out-of-doors in a meadow at the base of Grandfather Mountain. The music begins at 8:30 AM and continues throughout the day, with a break at midday for the sermon.

Many families bring lawn chairs and picnics and make a day of seeing old friends and enjoying performances by top Southern Gospel groups. The 2013 speaker is Will Graham, grandson of Dr. Billy Graham. Scheduled music groups for 2013 include The Chuckwagon Gang, Michael Combs, George Hamilton IV, Terry Warren and The Cockman Family.

Admission is free, and camping (without hookups) is available on the grounds on a first-come basis.

Learn more about Linville NC and Grandfather Mountain HERE.