Yip, Disneyland hiking. Those are the awesome trips where you end up standing in line to see some nature feature. Everyone get in line to cross the bridge!
The Spectacular Suspension Bridge
Everyone talks about the spectacular bridge at Grandfather Mountain, you look at the pictures and it seems exciting and grandiose. But it’s a little comical in comparison to the photos, it was a bit like an “oh that’s it” moment when we saw the bridge.
Basically, after driving a couple of hours out of our way, at the entrance of the state park you pay quite a bit to get in. Then you drive on a very heavily trafficked paved road all the way to the top of Grandfather Mountain where there is a gift shop and the “trail” to the bridge. This isn’t really a trail. When you cross the bridge, you can walk around the outlook, which tends to be really packed with people so it’s touch to get around.
Don’t get me wrong, Grandfather Mountains Bridge wasn’t the worst experience but it wasn’t mind blowing either and it took 2 secs. So after walking around bridge we were kinda wondering what to do next?
Toddler Friendly Hikes Available at the State Park
At the entrance to the park they will give you a complementary map with all the activities, facilities, and trailheads on it.
In terms of actual hiking, there is a trailhead that will lead you to Daniel Boone Scout Trail. Daniel Boone Scout Trail is not the best for toddlers. The trail itself involves a lot of ladders and rope crossing. Because of that we weren’t comfortable taking our daughter up there even if she was in the pack, but Black Rock Trail is a 3 mile trail that a toddler can comfortably do.
Black Rock Trail
It’s really the only other trail in the park! The trail head to Black Rock Trail is just below the parking lot to the suspension bridge.The trail was really peaceful in the morning despite the building crowd on the bridge.
The trail is about 1.5 miles one-way / 3 miles total. It’s rooty and rocky in parts but no ladders, not much elevation on the trail. A toddler can definitely enjoy the trail. At the end of the trail, you can climb up a boulder to enjoy a panoramic view of the Blue Ridge.
Getting up on the boulder is the one caveat if you have a toddler. There’s a rope handle to help get up there but no other great footing. It’s not a long daunting way up though. We were able to get up there with our toddler in the carrier so she could see everything. Not safe enough to let or out or hang out up there but still enjoyable.
Tips for Hiking with Toddlers at the State Park
On the bridge, if you’ve got really small ones, toddlers, infants, ones that won’t listen, keep a close eye or have them secured in a pack, it was cliffy/rocky and hard to get good footing with the crowd.
Second, in the fall the weather is unpredictable at that elevation. It can abruptly change to very chilly, rainy or stormy up there, so pack extra appropriate clothing just in case.
Third, there bathrooms in the gift shop if you need that kind of thing.
Upper Creek Falls Loop
GPS to Trailhead: 35.9600793,-81.8616484,426
Trail type: Loop
Distance: 1.5 miles
Trail Level: Moderate
If you’re heading back towards Morganton on Hwy 181, then you should stop at Upper Creek Falls Loop in the Pisgah National Forest. It’s a moderate 1.5 trail with a beautiful waterfall to see. There is a ton of parking and the trail is well marked.
There are 2 ways to start the hike, you can start via the upper creek portion where when you first reach the falls you’ll be at the top looking down, or take the other trailhead entrance that leads to the bottom of the falls to work your way back up.
We started from the top where the hike starts out flat but immediately slopes down to make your way to the waterfall. The closer you get to the falls the steeper it gets, but most of the trail was surmountable by our 2 year old. With good hiking shoes and a hand she was able to make it down and definitely wanted to take on the challenge. We used the backpack carrier to hike back out just for speed purposes, and poor girl was a little exhausted.
This was a great little stop for us on our way home. The view from the top of the waterfalls was beautiful as your able to look out along the valley. We would highly recommend this stop on your way back into town.