Grandfather Mountain State Park
- Status
- Status not posted
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed6-ft leash
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- ncparks.gov(828) 963-9522
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Grandfather Mountain State Park is a park in Avery County, about 8 miles southwest of Boone.
The park supports hiking. Camping is available: 14 camping areas, including tent sites, primitive or hike-in sites, and group camping.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other — January | Not stated | 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. | — |
| Other — March | Not stated | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. | — |
| Other — May | Not stated | 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. | — |
| Other — September | Not stated | 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. | — |
| Other — November | Not stated | 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. | — |
| Office | Mon–Fri | 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | — |
Official wording
Park Hours: Park gates open and close promptly at the hours listed below. Visitors are prohibited from accessing the park before opening hours and after closing hours. Please note that gates may close due to inclement weather; always check this page for the most current information or call the park prior to your visit.
January: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
February: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
March: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
April: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
May: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
June: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
July: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
August: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
September: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
October: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
November: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
December: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The park is closed on Christmas Day. The park is open during all other holidays.
Park Office: Open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You may contact the office during business hours or after hours; please leave a message and we will return your call as soon as possible.
Open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You may contact the office during business hours or after hours; please leave a message and we will return your call as soon as possible.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/New York).
Fees and passes
Free entry at most parks ('Most state parks are free to enter'); per-vehicle day-use fees at the reservoir SRAs (Falls Lake, Jordan Lake, Kerr Lake) and fees for swimming, boat launches, rentals, ferries and camping.
Statewide fee rule from North Carolina's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.
North Carolina park passes
- Annual Pass for Reservoirs — $70 Details
- Annual Pass — $100 Details
- Annual Pass with 4WD Beach Access — $200. Annual Pass benefits plus four-wheel-drive beach access Details
From the North Carolina state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Camping
- Required
- Booking system
- ReserveAmerica (northcarolinastateparks.reserveamerica.com)
- Phone
- 1-877-722-6762
Reservations Required for All 13 Campsites
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
Dogs allowed · leash up to 6 feet
Pets are allowed at the park and at campsites. In addition, many park trails are steep and not recommended for pets, so please review the Trails page and plan accordingly. Pets must be on an attended leash of no longer than 6 feet at all times.
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backcountry Backpack Camping and Group Camping Camping is allowed with a permit at 13 backpack camping sites along the trail system, including the Hi-Balsam Shelter.
All 13 campsites are hike-in backcountry, primitive sites. There is no car camping. There are no facilities. The terrain is rugged and can be challenging. Trailheads are near 3,800 feet in elevation and Calloway Peak reaches 5,946 feet.
Please do not disturb nearby campers. Take care to protect the terrain and plant and animal life.
Reservations Required for All 13 Campsites
All campsites must be reserved in advance, which can be made as late as the same day. We recommend… | — | — | |
| Streamside Campsite From Boone Fork Parking Area:
1.2-mile hike, elevation gain of 368 feet, average hiking time of 45 minutes
From Profile Trailhead:
6.5-mile hike, elevation gain of 2,146 feet, average hiking time of 6 hours
About the Campsite:
The site is 15 feet off of the trail. There are no tent platforms. A stream is located at the campsite.
Cables to hang food are provided — follow the red triangles
Campfire Permitted?
Yes, campfires are permitted in the provided stone fire ring.
Rules and Regulations:
A maximum of six campers is permitted on the site. Campers must complete on-site registration form,… | — | — | |
| Hermitage Campsite From Boone Fork Parking Area:
1.3-mile hike, elevation gain of 487 feet, average hiking time of 50 minutes
From Profile Trailhead:
6.6-mile hike, elevation gain of 2,146 feet, average hiking time of 6 hours
About the Campsite:
The site is 800 feet off of the trail (follow marked Spur Trail uphill). There are no tent platforms. A stream is located along the trail to the campsite.
Cables to hang food are provided — follow the red triangles
Campfire Permitted?
Yes, campfires are permitted in the provided stone fire ring.
Rules and Regulations:
A maximum of six campers is permitted on the site.… | — | — | |
| Storyteller Campsite From Boone Fork Parking Area:
1.5-mile hike, elevation gain of 588 feet, average hiking time of 1 hour
From Profile Trailhead:
6.8-mile hike, elevation gain of 2,146 feet, average hiking time of 6.5 hours
About the Campsite:
The site is 50 feet off of the trail. There is an 8'x8' tent platform. A stream is located at the trail, right before the campsite. The stream can get too deep to cross safely after heavy rains; campers must use their own judgement and common sense.
Cables to hang food are provided — follow the red triangles
Campfire Permitted?
Yes, campfires are permitted in the… | — | — | |
| Refuge Campsite From Boone Fork Parking Area:
1.6-mile hike, elevation gain of 595 feet, average hiking time of 1 hour
From Profile Trailhead:
7-mile hike, elevation gain of 2,146 feet, average hiking time of 6.5 hours
About the Campsite:
The site is 25 feet off of the trail. There is one tent platform. A small stream is located off the back of the site — follow the blue markers. The stream across the Nuwati Trail before Storyteller Rock can get too deep to cross safely after heavy rains; campers must use their own judgment and common sense.
Cables to hang food are provided — follow the red triangles… | — | — | |
| Daniel Boone Group Campsite From Boone Fork Parking Area:
2-mile hike, elevation gain of 1,040 feet, average hiking time of 1.5 hours
From Profile Trailhead:
5.5-mile hike, elevation gain of 2,146 feet, average hiking time of 4.5 hours
About the Campsite:
The site is 30 feet off of the trail. There are three wooden tent platforms; each one measures 8 feet by 8 feet. There is an intermittent stream nearby — follow the blue markers.
Cables to hang food are provided — follow the red triangles
Campfire Permitted?
Yes, campfires are permitted in the provided stone fire ring.
Rules and Regulations:
A minimum of seven campers… | — | — | |
| Briar Patch Campsite From Boone Fork Parking Area:
2.7-mile hike, elevation gain of 1,594 feet, average hiking time of 2.5 hours
From Profile Trailhead:
4.8-mile hike, elevation gain of 2,146 feet, average hiking time of 4 hours
About the Campsite:
The site is 800 feet off of the trail. There are no tent platforms. There is no water source.
There are no cables to hang food.
Campfire Permitted?
Yes, campfires are permitted in the provided stone fire ring.
Rules and Regulations:
A maximum of six campers is permitted. Campers must complete on-site registration form, located at the Profile trailhead or at the kiosk… | — | — | |
| Hi-Balsam Campsite From Boone Fork Parking Area:
3.3-mile hike, elevation gain of 1,804 feet, average hiking time of 3 hours and 15 minutes
From Profile Trailhead:
4.2-mile hike, elevation gain of 2,146 feet, average hiking time of 4.5 hours
About the Campsite:
The site consists of a three-sided wooden shelter with a metal roof. It is located 100 feet off of the trail. There is no water source.
There are no cables to hang food.
Campfire Permitted?
No, campfires are not permitted.
Rules and Regulations:
A maximum of six campers is permitted on the site. Campers must complete on-site registration form, located… | — | — | |
| Raven's Roost Campsite From Boone Fork Parking Area:
3.4-mile hike, elevation gain of 1,837 feet, average hiking time of 3 hours and 15 minutes
From Profile Trailhead:
4.1-mile hike, elevation gain of 2,146 feet, average hiking time of 4 hours
About the Campsite:
The site is 10 feet off of the trail. There is an 8'x8' wooden tent platform. There is no water source.
There are no cables for hanging food.
Campfire Permitted?
No, campfires are not permitted.
Rules and Regulations:
A maximum of six campers is permitted on the site. Campers must complete on-site registration form, located at the Profile trailhead or at… | — | — | |
| Cliffside Campsite From Boone Fork Parking Area:
3.9-mile hike, elevation gain of 2,041 feet, average hiking time of 3.5 hours
From Profile Trailhead:
3.7-mile hike, elevation gain of 1,822 feet, average hiking time of 3.5 hours
About the Campsite:
The site is 75 feet off of the trail. There are no tent platforms. There is no water source.
There are no cables for hanging food.
Campfire Permitted?
No, campfires are not permitted.
Rules and Regulations:
A maximum of six campers is permitted on the site. Campers must complete on-site registration form, located at the Profile trailhead or at the kiosk near the… | — | — | |
| Calloway Gap Group Campsite From Boone Fork Parking Area:
4.1-mile hike, elevation gain of 2,041 feet, average hiking time of 4 hours
From Profile Trailhead:
3.7-mile hike, elevation gain of 1,650 feet, average hiking time of 3.5 hours
About the Campsite:
The site is 100 feet off of the trail. There are four wooden tent platforms, each measuring 8'x8'. There is no water source.
There are no cables for hanging food.
Campfire Permitted?
No, campfires are not permitted.
Rules and Regulations:
A minimum of seven campers is required to use this site, and a maximum of 12 campers is permitted on the site. Campers must… | — | — | |
| Alpine Meadow Group Campsite From Boone Fork Parking Area:
4.5-mile hike, elevation gain of 2,144 feet, average hiking time of 4 hours and 15 minutes
From Profile Trailhead:
4.1-mile hike, elevation gain of 2,012 feet, average hiking time of 4 hours
About the Campsite:
The site is 10 feet off of the trail. There are no tent platforms. There is no water source.
There are no cables for hanging food.
Campfire Permitted?
No, campfires are not permitted.
Rules and Regulations:
A minimum of seven campers is required to use this site, and a maximum of 12 campers is permitted on the site. Campers must complete on-site… | — | — | |
| Attic Window Campsite From Boone Fork Parking Area:
4.8-mile hike, elevation gain of 2,278 feet, average hiking time of 5 hours
From Profile Trailhead:
4.4-mile hike, elevation gain of 2,280 feet, average hiking time of 4.5 hours
About the Campsite:
The site is 30 feet off of the trail. There is one tent platform. There is no water source.
There are no cables for hanging food.
Campfire Permitted?
No, campfires are not permitted.
Rules and Regulations:
A maximum of six campers is permitted on the site. Campers must complete on-site registration form, located at the Profile trailhead or at the kiosk near the Boone… | — | — | |
| Profile Campsite From Boone Fork Parking Area:
5.5-mile hike, elevation gain of 2,041 feet, average hiking time of 5 hours
From Profile Trailhead:
2.5-mile hike, elevation gain of 944 feet, average hiking time of 2 hours
About the Campsite:
The site is 25 feet off of the trail. There are no tent platforms. A natural spring is located 0.75 miles above the campsite on the trail. Boil or filter all water.
Cables to hang food are provided across the trail from the campsite.
Campfire Permitted?
Yes, campfires are permitted in the provided stone fire ring.
Rules and Regulations:
A maximum of six campers is… | — | — |
Camping details from the park
Camping
- Tent sites (backpacking only)
- Group tent sites (backpacking only)
Backcountry Backpack Camping and Group Camping
Camping is allowed with a permit at 13 backpack camping sites along the trail system, including the Hi-Balsam Shelter.
All 13 campsites are hike-in backcountry, primitive sites. There is no car camping. There are no facilities. The terrain is rugged and can be challenging. Trailheads are near 3,800 feet in elevation and Calloway Peak reaches 5,946 feet.
Please do not disturb nearby campers. Take care to protect the terrain and plant and animal life.
Reservations Required for All 13 Campsites
All campsites must be reserved in advance, which can be made as late as the same day. We recommend making your reservation prior to your park visit, as cellular service is not reliable at the park. A fee is charged for all campsites, and campers must have a reservation code to be able to camp. Camping fees are listed near the bottom of this page.
Register On-Site for a Camping Permit
Upon your arrival, please fill out a camping registration permit at the Profile trailhead or at the kiosk near the Boone For parking lot. You must register for a permit on-site, in addition to making your reservation online.
Camp in Designated Areas Only
Camping is permitted in the designated areas only, which are identified by signs at the campsites and with a camping icon on the trail map. There is no dispersed camping (camping outside a designated site) on the mountain. All camping regulations apply to hammock campers.
Parking and Trailheads
Profile Trailhead
4198 N.C. 105, Banner Elk, NC 28604
GPS: 36.119756, -81.835001
Boone Fork Parking Area (managed by the National Park Service)
north of mile marker 300 on the Blue Ridge Parkway
GPS: 36.120076, -81.781358
Streamside Campsite
From Boone Fork Parking Area:
1.2-mile hike, elevation gain of 368 feet, average hiking time of 45 minutes
From Profile Trailhead:
6.5-mile hike, elevation gain of 2,146 feet, average hiking time of 6 hours
About the Campsite:
The site is 15 feet off of the trail. There are no tent platforms. A stream is located at the campsite.
Cables to hang food are provided — follow the red triangles
Campfire Permitted?
Yes, campfires are permitted in the provided stone fire ring.
Rules and Regulations:
A maximum of six campers is permitted on the site. Campers must complete on-site registration form, located at the Profile trailhead or at the kiosk near the Boone Fork parking area.
Hermitage Campsite
From Boone Fork Parking Area:
1.3-mile hike, elevation gain of 487 feet, average hiking time of 50 minutes
From Profile Trailhead:
6.6-mile hike, elevation gain of 2,146 feet, average hiking time of 6 hours
About the Campsite:
The site is 800 feet off of the trail (follow marked Spur Trail uphill). There are no tent platforms. A stream is located along the trail to the campsite.
Campfire Permitted?
Rules and Regulations:
Storyteller Campsite
From Boone Fork Parking Area:
1.5-mile hike, elevation gain of 588 feet, average hiking time of 1 hour
From Profile Trailhead:
6.8-mile hike, elevation gain of 2,146 feet, average hiking time of 6.5 hours
About the Campsite:
The site is 50 feet off of the trail. There is an 8'x8' tent platform. A stream is located at the trail, right before the campsite. The stream can get too deep to cross safely after heavy rains; campers must use their own judgement and common sense.
Campfire Permitted?
Rules and Regulations:
Refuge Campsite
From Boone Fork Parking Area:
1.6-mile hike, elevation gain of 595 feet, average hiking time of 1 hour
From Profile Trailhead:
7-mile hike, elevation gain of 2,146 feet, average hiking time of 6.5 hours
About the Campsite:
The site is 25 feet off of the trail. There is one tent platform. A small stream is located off the back of the site — follow the blue markers. The stream across the Nuwati Trail before Storyteller Rock can get too deep to cross safely after heavy rains; campers must use their own judgment and common sense.
Campfire Permitted?
Rules and Regulations:
Daniel Boone Group Campsite
From Boone Fork Parking Area:
2-mile hike, elevation gain of 1,040 feet, average hiking time of 1.5 hours
From Profile Trailhead:
5.5-mile hike, elevation gain of 2,146 feet, average hiking time of 4.5 hours
About the Campsite:
The site is 30 feet off of the trail. There are three wooden tent platforms; each one measures 8 feet by 8 feet. There is an intermittent stream nearby — follow the blue markers.
Campfire Permitted?
Rules and Regulations:
A minimum of seven campers is required to use the site, and a maximum of 12 campers is permitted. Campers must complete on-site registration form, located at the Profile trailhead or at the kiosk near the Boone Fork parking area.
Briar Patch Campsite
From Boone Fork Parking Area:
2.7-mile hike, elevation gain of 1,594 feet, average hiking time of 2.5 hours
From Profile Trailhead:
4.8-mile hike, elevation gain of 2,146 feet, average hiking time of 4 hours
About the Campsite:
The site is 800 feet off of the trail. There are no tent platforms. There is no water source.
There are no cables to hang food.
Campfire Permitted?
Rules and Regulations:
A maximum of six campers is permitted. Campers must complete on-site registration form, located at the Profile trailhead or at the kiosk near the Boone Fork parking area.
Hi-Balsam Campsite
From Boone Fork Parking Area:
3.3-mile hike, elevation gain of 1,804 feet, average hiking time of 3 hours and 15 minutes
From Profile Trailhead:
4.2-mile hike, elevation gain of 2,146 feet, average hiking time of 4.5 hours
About the Campsite:
The site consists of a three-sided wooden shelter with a metal roof. It is located 100 feet off of the trail. There is no water source.
There are no cables to hang food.
Campfire Permitted?
No, campfires are not permitted.
Rules and Regulations:
Raven's Roost Campsite
From Boone Fork Parking Area:
3.4-mile hike, elevation gain of 1,837 feet, average hiking time of 3 hours and 15 minutes
From Profile Trailhead:
4.1-mile hike, elevation gain of 2,146 feet, average hiking time of 4 hours
About the Campsite:
The site is 10 feet off of the trail. There is an 8'x8' wooden tent platform. There is no water source.
There are no cables for hanging food.
Campfire Permitted?
No, campfires are not permitted.
Rules and Regulations:
Cliffside Campsite
From Boone Fork Parking Area:
3.9-mile hike, elevation gain of 2,041 feet, average hiking time of 3.5 hours
From Profile Trailhead:
3.7-mile hike, elevation gain of 1,822 feet, average hiking time of 3.5 hours
About the Campsite:
The site is
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
HikingCamping
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Rock Trail | 1 mi | Moderate | 1-mile one way; Blaze: gold circlesHiking only |
| Cragway Trail | 1 mi | Strenuous | 1-mile one way; Blaze: orange circlesHiking only |
| Daniel Boone Scout Trail | 3 mi | Strenuous | 3-mile one way; Blaze: white diamondsHiking only |
| Grandfather Trail | 2.4 mi | Advanced | 2.4-mile one way; Blaze: blue diamondsHiking only |
| Grandfather Extension Trail | 0.6 mi | Moderate | 0.6-mile one way; Blaze: red diamondsHiking only |
| Nuwati Trail | 1.2 mi | Easy | 1.2-mile one way; Blaze: blue circlesHiking only |
| Profile Trail | 3.6 mi | Strenuous | 3.6-mile one way; Blaze: orange diamondsHiking only |
| Profile Connector Trail | 0.5 mi | Easy | 0.5-mile one way; Blaze: red circlesHiking only |
| Underwood Trail | 0.5 mi | Strenuous | 0.5-mile one way; Blaze: yellow diamondsHiking only |
Trail descriptions from the park
Hiking Trails: Mostly Open. The upper portion of Profile Trail has reopened. The lower portion that runs streamside continues to be closed. Please do not attempt to access closed areas. All other park trails are fully open.
Black Rock Trail (1-mile one way; Blaze: gold circles), Moderate, Hiking only
Cragway Trail (1-mile one way; Blaze: orange circles), Strenuous, Hiking only
Daniel Boone Scout Trail (3-mile one way; Blaze: white diamonds), Strenuous, Hiking only
Grandfather Trail (2.4-mile one way; Blaze: blue diamonds), Advanced, Hiking only
Grandfather Extension Trail (0.6-mile one way; Blaze: red diamonds), Moderate, Hiking only
Nuwati Trail (1.2-mile one way; Blaze: blue circles), Easy, Hiking only
Profile Trail (3.6-mile one way; Blaze: orange diamonds), Strenuous, Hiking only
Profile Connector Trail (0.5-mile one way; Blaze: red circles), Easy, Hiking only
Underwood Trail (0.5-mile one way; Blaze: yellow diamonds), Strenuous, Hiking only
Amenities
Facilities
- Group facilities
- Drinking water: not available (stated by the park)
Camping
- Tent camping
- Primitive or backcountry camping
- Group camping
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Getting there
- Address
- 4198 N.C. 105 N.
Banner Elk, NC 28604 - Nearest town
- Boone — about 8 mi southwest (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 36.1549, -81.7872
- Phone
- (828) 963-9522
- grandfather.mountain@ncparks.gov
Entrances
- Park Office — 9872 N.C. 105 S., Suite 6, Banner Elk, NC 28604
- Profile Trail Parking Area — 4198 N.C. 105 N., Banner Elk, NC 28604
- Other Accesses
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- North Carolina State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- NC State Parks 'Catalog: Find a State Park Access' (paged Drupal view, ?page=0..6)
- Wikidata
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology