A trip to Grandfather Mountain State Park

Grandfather Mountain State Park, located in northwest North Carolina about 70 miles northeast of Asheville, is a playground for thrill seekers. At almost 6,000 feet, the park's namesake is the tallest peak in the Blue Ridge mountain range.

The park is renowned for having the most severe weather in the South in addition to having a tall mountain. Therefore, pay attention to the weather prediction if you intend to hike the park's 13+ miles of trails. If you're ready for the task, think about hiking the 2.5-mile Grandfather Trail, one of the toughest in the Southeast thanks to a network of 18 ladders placed to help hikers scale the trail's numerous cliffs and crags.

Less experienced hikers might wish to attempt the Nuwati Trail, a 1.2-mile out and back route that follows the path of an old logging road and gives stunning views of the Boone Bowl and Calloway Peak from Storyteller's Rock. Set pitch a tent at one of the 13 primitive hike-in campsites in the park when it's time to retire; these campsites must be reserved in advance (for a fee).

TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5/5.0
Address: 9872 N Carolina Highway 105, Banner Elk, NC 28604
Phone:+1 (828) 963-9522
Website:https://www.ncparks.gov/grandfather-mountain-state-park