TL;DR
- How we got to the swinging bridge without sitting in a 40-minute car line (it’s in the bridge section below, and it saved our afternoon).
- Plan on at least half a day. Make it a full day if your crew loves to hike and picnic.
- Grandfather Mountain is not a free park. Book a timed-entry ticket online before you go, because they check it at the gate.
- Go to the keeper talks at the wildlife habitats. They’re so much more fun than staring at animals through a fence.
- Pack layers, rain gear, and water. The top of the mountain runs colder and windier than the parking lot.
My son could tell you the history of the Mile High Swinging Bridge before he could tie his shoes. He’d just never stood on it. This fall break, we finally fixed that, and this is our family’s honest guide to Grandfather Mountain with kids.
Here’s the backstory. A few years ago, my husband and I photographed a wedding in Banner Elk, North Carolina, and we came home with Grandfather Mountain’s audio tour CD. Our toddler listened to that CD on repeat. For YEARS. (I can still recite parts of it, and I never asked to learn them.) So when he turned 8, we decided it was time to take him to the place he knew so much about but had never seen.
If you live here in Southeast Tennessee like we do, a trip to Grandfather Mountain with kids is a doable long-weekend road trip. Here’s everything I’d want a friend to know before she pulls up to the gate.
Is Grandfather Mountain worth it with kids?
Yes. Grandfather Mountain is worth it for families, especially with kids who are old enough to walk short trails and get excited about animals. One ticket gets you the Mile High Swinging Bridge, the wildlife habitats, a nature center, hiking trails, picnic areas, and a narrated drive up the mountain.
We found the tickets reasonably priced for everything you get. Every ticket also supports the nonprofit Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, which takes care of the mountain.
We were also so excited when we arrived to see all the renovations and updates they’ve made to the park.
Do you have to pay to visit Grandfather Mountain?
Yes, you need a ticket to visit the Grandfather Mountain attraction, which includes the swinging bridge, the animal habitats, and the Wilson Center. At the time of writing, tickets are timed entry. You pick a date and an entry time online, and they check your ticket at the entrance.
A few things that help:
- Book ahead, especially for fall weekends. Popular days can sell out (and turning around at the gate with a car full of kids is nobody’s favorite plot twist).
- Prices change by day. Check the Grandfather Mountain ticket page for current rates.
- Your time slot has a little wiggle room. You can enter within an hour after your reserved time, then stay until the park closes.
Good to know: Grandfather Mountain State Park is a separate area with backcountry trails. It’s free to use with a free hiking permit, but it does not include the bridge or the animals.
How much time do you need at Grandfather Mountain?
Plan on at least half a day when you visit Grandfather Mountain with kids. If your family loves to hike and picnic, you could easily spend a full day there.
| Your crew | Plan for | What fits |
|---|---|---|
| First visit or little legs | Half day | Audio tour drive, Bridge Trail, the bridge, lunch, a keeper talk or two |
| Hikers and picnickers | Full day | All of the above, plus the Black Rock Trail, a picnic, the Wilson Center exhibits, and every keeper talk |
One timing tip: the hiking trails close before the park does. Check the park hours for your date, because they change by season.
Can you drive up Grandfather Mountain?
Yes, you can drive up Grandfather Mountain on a paved road that winds from the entrance gate toward the top. The park offers its audio tour in a variety of formats, and it walks you through the history and story of the mountain as you climb. It’s well done and engaging.
Watch for a few stops on the way up:
- Forrest Gump Curve, the stretch of road made famous in the movie
- Split Rock and Sphinx Rock, fun rock formations for photos
- Half Moon Overlook, near the entrance
Getting to the Mile High Swinging Bridge with kids
The day we went, the car line to park at the top lot was about a 40-minute wait. With an 8-year-old in the back seat, forty minutes of brake lights was a hard no for us (I value my sanity, and his). So we parked lower and walked up, and it was much, MUCH faster.
How to reach the Mile High Swinging Bridge with kids without waiting in the summit parking line.
- Park at the Black Rock Parking Area.
It sits about half a mile below the top parking lot, so you can pull in before the line backs up.
- Take the Bridge Trail.
The Bridge Trail is 0.4 miles each way and climbs about 300 feet. It even passes right underneath the swinging bridge.
- Take a break at the Top Shop.
The building next to the bridge has a gift shop, snacks, restrooms, and trail maps.
- Walk out onto the bridge.
Hold hands with little ones, and watch kids closely on the boulders at each end.
The Bridge Trail does have some elevation, but it’s short-lived and bearable. We saw all kinds of people on it, so don’t let the climb scare you off.
Is the Mile High Swinging Bridge scary for kids?
For most kids, the Mile High Swinging Bridge is not very scary. The bridge is 228 feet long and crosses an 80-foot gap between two peaks.
Quick note on the name. “Mile high” means the bridge sits a mile above sea level (5,280 feet). It does not mean you’re a mile above the ground. The drop under the bridge is about 80 feet, so it feels much less intimidating than the name sounds.
My son was really nervous about the bridge, but he handled it well. He was good until it started bouncing a little because so many people were on it at once 😬. If your kiddo is nervous too, try to cross when it’s less crowded and keep a hand to hold.
A few fun facts for your little history buff:
- The original bridge opened in 1952 and was rebuilt in 1999 on the same towers, according to the Mile High Swinging Bridge page.
- It’s one of the windiest spots in North Carolina, and it can hum like a harmonica when the wind blows.
- It’s often 10 to 20 degrees cooler up top than in the towns below.
- The bridge closes for high wind, ice, or lightning, so call the entrance gate before you drive up on a stormy day.
And the view? Breathtaking. It’s the kind that makes you feel small in the best way, and a little extra grateful for the One who made it.
Can you bring a stroller to Grandfather Mountain?
You can use a stroller to reach the bridge, but don’t count on it for hiking at the top. The Top Shop has an elevator that leads to a short, paved path to the bridge, and a stroller works fine across the bridge itself.
After that, the ground turns rocky, and your stroller becomes a very awkward thing to carry. With a stroller, you’ll only be able to go across the bridge and right back. For the trails, a baby carrier is a much better plan.
Wildlife habitats and keeper talks at Grandfather Mountain
After the bridge, we drove back down to the wildlife habitats. They’re home to black bears, cougars, river otters, bald eagles, and elk, and they’re named for Mildred the Bear, who lived on the mountain from 1966 to 1993.
We went to every single animal keeper talk, and it’s the first thing I’d tell any family planning Grandfather Mountain with kids. The keepers fed the animals or interacted with them in ways that were soooo much more fun than staring at them. We learned each animal’s history, how they came to live there, and even their personalities (which were really unique).
Check the daily programs when you arrive, since keeper talk times change by season.
Right next to the habitats is the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery, with indoor exhibits about the mountain’s plants, animals, and weather. There’s also a newer kids’ science and conservation center called Yonni’s Clubhouse for ages 5 to 12, plus a Junior Naturalist program with badges for kids who love collecting things.
Where to eat at Grandfather Mountain
The main place to eat at Grandfather Mountain is Mildred’s Grill, inside the Wilson Center. We were pleasantly surprised by the menu. It had some unique options beyond burgers, the area was clean, and there’s beautiful outdoor seating.
The gift shop was fun too, so leave a little time to browse.
If you’d rather bring lunch, there are picnic areas around the mountain with tables. We stopped at a few just to look, and we found ourselves wishing it were a campground so we could stay the night. They’re that beautiful and well laid out.
What to pack for Grandfather Mountain with kids
The top of this mountain has opinions about weather, so pack like you’re visiting three seasons in one afternoon when you bring kids to Grandfather Mountain. Here’s our list:
- Rain gear, even if the forecast looks clear
- A wind layer or warm jacket, since it runs cooler and windier at the bridge
- Sunscreen, since the sun feels stronger up high
- Bug spray in the summer
- Plenty of water for everyone
- A baby carrier instead of a stroller if you have little ones
- A picnic lunch, if you want to enjoy the picnic areas
Where to stay near Grandfather Mountain
The closest town to Grandfather Mountain is Linville, North Carolina, which is the park’s address. Banner Elk and Blowing Rock are both nearby and make great home bases for families.
We stayed in a local cabin, and lodging was simple to find. There are plenty of options for every kind of traveler, from cabins to hotels to rentals.
We ate a lot in Banner Elk. It’s a cute ski resort town with lots of restaurants that looked good. We even saw a bear while driving to dinner one night, so keep your eyes open (and your snacks locked in the car).
We went during fall break, which is a gorgeous time to be in the mountains. Book your ticket early, though, because autumn is the busy season.
FAQ
Yes, Grandfather Mountain is open daily, weather permitting, except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Hours change by season, and the top of the mountain can close for wind, ice, or storms. Call the entrance gate at (828) 733-4337 before you go if the weather looks iffy.
Part of Forrest Gump was filmed on Grandfather Mountain. The famous running scene was shot on a curve of the road up the mountain, now called Forrest Gump Curve. You’ll drive right past it on your way to the swinging bridge.
It depends on the trail you pick. The Bridge Trail to the Mile High Swinging Bridge is only 0.4 miles each way, and the Black Rock Trail is about a mile each way. The Grandfather Trail is a tough 2.4-mile route with ladders and cables that can take experienced hikers four hours or more, so save that one for when the kids are older.
Our family’s take on Grandfather Mountain with kids
For years, Grandfather Mountain lived in our car stereo. This fall, my son finally got to stand on the bridge he’d heard about since he was a toddler, and we got to watch him do it.
Picture your kid on that bridge, grinning at a view they’ve only heard about, while you skipped the car line and still have snacks left. That’s a good day.
I’m Alyssa Rowe, and here at Simplify Life, my favorite trips are the ones that are planned just enough to leave room for wonder. If you’ve got a kid who’s obsessed with a place they’ve only heard about, take them (and bring the rain jacket).
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