Grandfather Mountain State Park

Photo: Frank Kehren/Flickr

In 2009, Grandfather Mountain State Park officially became North Carolina's newest state park. We helped to protect 2,456 acres along the crest of the famous landmark, truly a natural wonder worth passing on to our grandchildren. Popular hiking trails, the headwaters of the Watauga and Linville rivers and gorgeous natural canvas of wildlife habitat make this a top destination for people who love the outdoors.

We worked with The Nature Conservancy to help the state acquire this property, which was financed through North Carolina's Parks and Recreation and Natural Heritage trust funds.

The perfect day trip for visitors from North Carolina and Tennessee, Grandfather Mountain has been a wildlife sanctuary and nature preserve for decades. In fact, it has been the only private park designated by the United Nations as an International Biosphere Reserve.

Hugh Morton developed the popular Grandfather Mountain attraction in the 1950s. Morton’s heirs retain a 749-acre portion of the property, which is now protected by a conservation easement and includes a nature center, wildlife habitats and "mile-high" swinging bridge.

To go to the park's website, click here.