Grandfather Mountain visitors can now purchase park admission tickets online.
The new online ticketing option, which launched Monday, allows visitors the convenience of buying tickets ahead of time — and the advantage of taking a “shortcut” into the park on selected busy weekends.
"Many of today’s guests like to buy their tickets online, so we’re pleased we can now give them that option,“ said Harris Prevost, vice president of the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. “We also hope online sales will help alleviate traffic congestion at the Entrance Gate by allowing guests who have already purchased tickets to enter the park another way on our super-busy dates like Memorial Day weekend, July 4 holidays, Labor Day weekend and October fall color weekends.”
Visitors can go to tickets.grandfather.com to purchase regular adult, senior (60+) or child tickets, as well as AAA discounted tickets, using any major debit or credit card. Online ticket prices are identical to tickets sold at the Entrance Gate.
Anyone who purchases a AAA ticket or senior ticket must show a valid AAA membership card or ID card, respectively, upon arrival. No other types of tickets (such as group tickets) can be purchased online.
The tickets can be used for regular park admission on any date and are valid for one year from the date of purchase.
After completing the simple purchase process online, customers will receive printable tickets by email. Visitors must present a printed copy of the tickets upon arrival, as poor cell phone reception near the mountain may prevent ticketholders from accessing their information on a smartphone or other handheld device.
Visitors who buy tickets online, along with Bridge Club annual passholders and other prepaid ticketholders, may enter Grandfather Mountain through the Prepaid Lane that bypasses the main Entrance Gate on anticipated high-volume dates.
The Prepaid Lane, located 0.3 miles south of the main entrance on U.S. 221, allows these guests to take a short gravel driveway through beautiful MacRae Meadows and access the park just above the main entrance gate. Attendants will be stationed at the driveway entrance to direct traffic and redeem tickets.
Drivers should note that the Prepaid Lane is intended for visitors who travel to Grandfather Mountain from the west via N.C. 105 or N.C. 181. Those who approach the park from the east via the Blue Ridge Parkway or U.S. 221 from Blowing Rock will find it most convenient to enter through the main Entrance Gate. Those guests should still benefit from an even more rapid transaction at the ticket booths.
Proceeds from admission tickets benefit the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and protecting the park for future generations.
The nonprofit Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation strives to inspire conservation of the natural world by helping guests explore, understand and value the wonders of Grandfather Mountain. For more information, call (800) 468-7325 or visit www.grandfather.com to plan a trip.