From beautiful blooms to opportunities to see native wildlife up close, the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation preserves this iconic mountain’s remarkable habitat so that visitors can experience the special site for generations to come. | Our State Magazine

Although elk are relatively new to Grandfather Mountain, that wasn’t always the case. Elk population once thrived in the WNC High Country, but their numbers were decimated by over-hunting and loss of habitat in the 18th and 19th centuries. Eventually, they were eradicated entirely from the region. However, in 2001, the National Park Service began reintroducing elk into Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and they’ve been thriving there ever since. At Grandfather Mountain, guests can now be able