Linville, NC – Following a two-month closure to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, Grandfather Mountain will tentatively open in a limited capacity May 15, with all ticket sales moving online.

These new measures are made in accordance with N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper’s three-phased “reopening” of North Carolina. Grandfather Mountain will strictly limit visitor numbers to follow social gathering guidelines, while implementing enhanced health and safety measures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and federal, state and local authorities.

The park is planning a soft reopening May 15, 16 and 17 and will open again May 22. It will be closed May 18-21. At present, ticket sales are extending only to Memorial Day, May 25, as park officials await further guidance from state officials, regarding Phase 2 of North Carolina’s reopening plan.

Mile-High Safety

While guests will still be able to enjoy Grandfather Mountain’s many wonders, including the Mile High Swinging Bridge, environmental wildlife habitats and hiking, the park will be operating in a more limited capacity to ensure the safety of visitors and staff.

Now, rather than purchasing tickets at the park’s Entrance Gate, visitors must do so online at tickets.grandfather.com by placing a reservation for a set date and time of entry. This measure aims to help limit the number of guests in the park at one time, in accordance with the state’s social gathering guidelines. As such, tickets will not be sold or available at the gate, meaning visitors must book online in advance.

Reservations

The park’s new reservation-based ticketing system is now open at tickets.grandfather.com. Admission will only be available online to encourage contact-free admission to the park. Tickets/reservations are also fully refundable and may be exchanged for a later reservation.

Bridge Club members will continue to receive free admission, although reservations must still be placed online. Current Bridge Club members whose passes were purchased prior to the closure will have their subscriptions extended by the length of the closure.

Until further notice, tickets will no longer be available at the Entrance Gate, meaning anyone visiting the park, including Bridge Club members, must book a reservation online.

Grandfather Mountain is located at 2050 Blowing Rock Hwy, Linville, NC 28646. Visit website at https://grandfather.com/