Back by popular demand, Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, is offering a sunset experiences in 2026. These special events, titled “Sunset at the Swinging Bridge,” will provide guests with the rare opportunity to be in the park outside of regular operating hours and to hopefully experience a lovely sunrise from the bridge’s lofty vantage point.

Tickets for this event go on sale online on Grandfather Mountain’s website Aug. 5 at 10 a.m.

Admission to the event is $52 for general admission, $33 for children (ages 3-12) and $20 for members of Grandfather Mountain’s Bridge Club. Event tickets include an entire day’s access to Grandfather, with regular park hours being 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Trails close at 5 p.m.

With park admission included in each sunset ticket, we encourage all event attendees to spend the day at Grandfather Mountain before their special event.

All participants will be required to head to the top of the mountain by 6 p.m. when the park is closing. Due to safety regulations, eventgoers are only permitted to view the sunset from the Swinging Bridge area. The Top Shop gift shop and restrooms will be accessible during the events.

Park educators will be on hand to talk to guests about the nature around the Swinging Bridge, identify nearby points of interest and answer any questions. In addition, a professional photographer very familiar with capturing sunsets at Grandfather Mountain will also be on hand to chat with those guests wishing to capture the beauty of the day’s last light with their cameras.