Grandfather Mountain State Park
Easily ranking among the most popular NC State Parks, the 2,456-acre Grandfather Mountain State Park is located about 16 miles from the heart of downtown Blowing Rock.
Towering nearly a mile above the North Carolina Piedmont, this International Biosphere Reserve features more than a dozen distinct ecological zones that are home to 70+ species of rare and endangered plants and animals.
There are 12 miles of hiking trails there, including the Black Rock Trail, Daniel Boone Scout Trail, Grandfather Trail, Profile Trail, Nuwati Trail, and more.
Most of these trails are rated as strenuous in terms of difficulty, and some even require climbing ladders and scrambling over rock. But the views they provide at nearly 6,000 feet of elevation are breathtaking.
If you do choose to visit the park, prepare accordingly, as it’s known for some of the most severe weather and challenging trails in the southeastern United States.
