Last Updated on September 28, 2026 8:03 am
LINVILLE, N.C. – With fall foliage soon to cover Grandfather Mountain in rich hues, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation is set to begin its annual Fall Color Ramble. This series of guided nature walks will allow guests to experience the season's signature colors up close and in depth.
Fall Color Rambles will be offered daily, weather permitting, from Saturday, Oct. 3 through Sunday, Oct. 11. The short excursions begin at 1 p.m. outside the entrance of the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery, and they typically last for 30 minutes. If it rains, the event may be moved to the indoor exhibit hall in the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery.
Fall Color Rambles are offered free with the price of admission and guests are encouraged to make plans to attend the program.
“I always look forward to this time of year,” said John Caveny, vice president of conservation and education for the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. “Fall colors are beautiful, but they're also essential to the trees' life cycle and to the environment. This is a great opportunity to see that up close.”
Grandfather Mountain is home to a myriad of plant species and hardwood trees, ranging from pumpkin-colored beech trees to blood-red sourwoods and rusty red oaks. Along with the color-changing process, visitors can learn tree identification skills and information about the mountain's rich biodiversity.
“It's not just established trees that change their colors in the fall; keep an eye out for plants, too! Some of my favorite plants show their blooms in the fall,” said Lauren Farrell, director of education for the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. “For this year's rambles, we are especially excited to incorporate all the new sections of our Cobey Botanical Garden.”
Although color changes can occur beyond October, the first two weeks of the month — when Grandfather traditionally reaches peak color — present a special opportunity to develop a new appreciation for the beauty and serenity of the natural world.
In addition to the programs offered inside the nature park in October, fresh fall color photos are posted daily on the mountain's website at www.grandfather.com/fall-color-gallery and social media (@grandfathermtn), including Facebook, X / Twitter and Instagram.
To learn more about the Fall Color Ramble series at Grandfather Mountain, visit www.grandfather.com/fall-color-ramble.
It is strongly recommended that guests book tickets to the park online in advance of visiting during the busy fall season at www.grandfather.com/tickets. To learn more about visiting during the fall season, visit www.grandfather.com/fall.
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, visit www.grandfather.com.
📷 Courtesy of Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation
