Down on the Farm

Immerse yourself in Smokies history! Engage with park rangers and living historians to find out how families survived - and thrived - here through daily chores such as blacksmithing, fence making, and hearth cooking. Program topic varies.

Mountain Farm Museum, near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center

Following the River: Nature and History Intertwined at Elkmont

Ever wanted to be a history detective? Join us as we go in search of signs of early settlers of the Smokies learning about cultural and natural history. 2 miles roundtrip 

Little River Trailhead Parking Area

Bear with Us!

Come learn all about an iconic symbol of Great Smoky Mountains National Park—black bears!

Located at the Sugarlands Visitor Center

Stream Splashers at Oconaluftee

Get ready for a splashing good time and discover the magic of local streams, learn about aquatic life, and connect with the environment. Water shoes are recommended.

Mountain Farm Pig Pen near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center

Tiny Wonders in Cades Cove

Take a peek at the smaller side of life in the Smokies. Join a ranger to see what tiny critters you can find when you take the time to look closely. 

Cable Mill Historic Area in Cades Cove

Wild about the Smokies at Oconaluftee

Join a ranger for a short talk on the most popular wildlife in the Smokies. Learn about their behavior, habitat, and ongoing conservation efforts. Get the inside scoop on where to spot these majestic creatures and how to do it safely. 

Oconaluftee Visitor Center porch

Cove Life

Step into the past and learn more about what it was like to live in the Cades Cove community by exploring the cabin where the Cove's first permanent European settlers lived.

John Oliver Cabin in Cades Cove

Down on the Farm

Immerse yourself in Smokies history! Engage with park rangers and living historians to find out how families survived - and thrived - here through daily chores such as blacksmithing, fence making, and hearth cooking. Program topic varies.

Mountain Farm Museum, near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center

Kuwohi Unveiled: Wild Wonders & Culture Await

Discover Kuwohi's ranger program - where engaging talks unveil the wonders of local wildlife, ecology, and cultural heritage. Gain unique insights into the area's natural and historical richness, and deepen your appreciation for Kuwohi.

Overlook across from Kuwohi Visitor Center

History of Daisy Town - A Walk through the Past

Visit and walk around the popular Non-Ghost Town of the Smokies and learn about the birth of tourism before the Smokies became a park. 

Jakes Creek Parking Area

Vital Signs of the Smokies

Join a ranger for a walk or talk about the Smokies' 'vital signs,' observations that can us better understand the challenges this fragile ecosystem faces and appreaicte the beauty around us.

Program at Newfound Gap Overlook.

Wild about Bears in Cades Cove

Stop by for a short chat about bears in the Smokies, what to do if you see one, and how it takes all of us working together to keep them healthy and wild.

Cable Mill Historic Area in Cades Cove

Wild about the Smokies at Oconaluftee

Join a ranger for a short talk on the most popular wildlife in the Smokies. Learn about their behavior, habitat, and ongoing conservation efforts. Get the inside scoop on where to spot these majestic creatures and how to do it safely. 

Oconaluftee Visitor Center porch

Down on the Farm

Immerse yourself in Smokies history! Engage with park rangers and living historians to find out how families survived - and thrived - here through daily chores such as blacksmithing, fence making, and hearth cooking. Program topic varies.

Mountain Farm Museum, near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center

Life in the Appalachians: Walker Sisters Cabin Hike

Take a 2.2 mile roundtrip hike through the woods to the Walker Sisters Cabin and discover the folks that once lived in the mountains. Learn about communities, religion, education, and the “modern” conveniences of the day.  

Little Greenbriar Schoolhouse Parking Area

Hands on Citizen Science at Sugarlands

Step into a bit of discovery at Great Smoky Mountains National Park! Join a ranger for an exciting, hands-on citizen science adventure— learn about tracking blooming trees, searching for lichens, spot birds, and sample stream life while learning how data collection is d......More

Step into a bit of discovery at Great Smoky Mountains National Park! Join a ranger for an exciting, hands-on citizen science adventure— learn about tracking blooming trees, searching for lichens, spot birds, and sample stream life while learning how data collection is done in the park. 

Sugarlands Visitor Center

Stream Splashers at Oconaluftee

Get ready for a splashing good time and discover the magic of local streams, learn about aquatic life, and connect with the environment. Water shoes are recommended.

Mountain Farm Pig Pen near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center

Wild about the Smokies at Oconaluftee

Join a ranger for a short talk on the most popular wildlife in the Smokies. Learn about their behavior, habitat, and ongoing conservation efforts. Get the inside scoop on where to spot these majestic creatures and how to do it safely. 

Oconaluftee Visitor Center porch

Down on the Farm

Immerse yourself in Smokies history! Engage with park rangers and living historians to find out how families survived - and thrived - here through daily chores such as blacksmithing, fence making, and hearth cooking. Program topic varies.

Mountain Farm Museum, near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center

Drop into History in Cades Cove

Watch (and possibly try) historic demonstrations related to life in Cades Cove. Demos will vary from day to day but may include blacksmithing, Appalachian music, quilting, storytelling, doll-making, weaving, or other skills.

Cable Mill Historic Area in Cades Cove

Kuwohi Unveiled: Wild Wonders & Culture Await

Discover Kuwohi's ranger program - where engaging talks unveil the wonders of local wildlife, ecology, and cultural heritage. Gain unique insights into the area's natural and historical richness, and deepen your appreciation for Kuwohi.

Overlook across from Kuwohi Visitor Center

Vital Signs of the Smokies

Join a ranger for a walk or talk about the Smokies' 'vital signs,' observations that can us better understand the challenges this fragile ecosystem faces and appreaicte the beauty around us.

Program at Newfound Gap Overlook.

Junior Ranger Ramble

Join a ranger for a walk, talk, or guided activity to learn more about natural and cultural history and become a steward of the park. Topics vary daily. Check Sugarlands Visitor Center for more information.

Stream Splashers in Cades Cove

Learn about and look for critters found in the waterways of the park while discovering what they reveal about the health of our streams. Be prepared to get wet. Closed toed shoes recommended.

Cades Cove Amphitheater (near campground store)

Wild about the Smokies at Oconaluftee

Join a ranger for a short talk on the most popular wildlife in the Smokies. Learn about their behavior, habitat, and ongoing conservation efforts. Get the inside scoop on where to spot these majestic creatures and how to do it safely. 

Oconaluftee Visitor Center porch

Down on the Farm

Immerse yourself in Smokies history! Engage with park rangers and living historians to find out how families survived - and thrived - here through daily chores such as blacksmithing, fence making, and hearth cooking. Program topic varies.

Mountain Farm Museum, near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center

Stream Splashers at Metcalf Bottoms

Join a ranger for a hands-on splash in the water to learn about the health and history of our Smokies streams. Water shoes are recommended. Participation is limited to the first 25 people in attendance. Weather dependent! 

Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area

Wildlife Wonders at Sugarlands

Wondering about wildlife in Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Come learn about some of the wildlife that call the Smokies home. 

Sugarlands Visitor Center

Stream Splashers at Smokemont

Get ready for a splashing good time and discover the magic of local streams, learn about aquatic life, and connect with the environment. Water shoes are recommended.

Smokemont Campground Nature Trail trailhead

Seedy Species in the Smokies

Join a ranger to learn more about harmful invasive species being monitored in the park, how they are managed, and what you can do to help prevent their spread!

Abrams Falls Trailhead in Cades Cove

Wild about the Smokies at Oconaluftee

Join a ranger for a short talk on the most popular wildlife in the Smokies. Learn about their behavior, habitat, and ongoing conservation efforts. Get the inside scoop on where to spot these majestic creatures and how to do it safely. 

Oconaluftee Visitor Center porch

Cades Cove Evening Program

Join a ranger in the Cades Cove amphitheater for this long-standing national park tradition, the campground evening program.

Cades Cove Amphitheater, near the campground store

Smokies Service Days - Extra Shine

Celebrate National Public Lands Day w ith Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Keep Sevier Beautiful! We’ll clear fire rings remove debris and repair picnic table s to keep the park’s largest campground enjoyable for all. Location: Elkmont Campground (TN)  Time: 9:00......More

Celebrate National Public Lands Day w ith Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Keep Sevier Beautiful! We’ll clear fire rings remove debris and repair picnic table s to keep the park’s largest campground enjoyable for all. Location: Elkmont Campground (TN)  Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. All Ages.Pre-registration required.Contact us (using the link under contact information)Enter ‘SMOKIES SERVICE DAYS’ in the subject barIndicate which Date(s) & Activities you wish to register forInclude number of participants and the age of any youth volunteersYou’ll receive a confirmation email if space is available on dates you request. Detailed information will be provided to participants closer to the event date.

Cove Life

Step into the past and learn more about what it was like to live in the Cades Cove community by exploring the cabin where the Cove's first permanent European settlers lived.

John Oliver Cabin in Cades Cove

Artist-in-Residence Program

Come make art in the park with Artist-In-Residence, Robert Palmerton! Bob will provide wood-cookies, acrylic paint, brushes and all tools needed to create a very special keepsake inspired by your adventures in Great Smoky Mountains National Park! As an artist who also l......More

Come make art in the park with Artist-In-Residence, Robert Palmerton! Bob will provide wood-cookies, acrylic paint, brushes and all tools needed to create a very special keepsake inspired by your adventures in Great Smoky Mountains National Park! As an artist who also loves to explore wild places with people of all ages and backgrounds, Bob has lots of experience teaching tools-of-the-trade to beginning artists and in helping more experienced makers build on their painting skills! 

Adaptive Overnight

Join us for an adaptive overnight trip from the Abrams Creek Campground to Backcountry Campsite #1. The hike is moderate to difficult, contains both uphill and downhill sections, and two stream crossings.Registration is required. The backup date for this event is Saturd......More

Join us for an adaptive overnight trip from the Abrams Creek Campground to Backcountry Campsite #1. The hike is moderate to difficult, contains both uphill and downhill sections, and two stream crossings.Registration is required. The backup date for this event is Saturday-Sunday, October 10-11, 2026.

Abrams Creek Campground to Backcountry Campsite #1

Drop into History in Cades Cove

Watch (and possibly try) historic demonstrations related to life in Cades Cove. Demos will vary from day to day but may include blacksmithing, Appalachian music, quilting, storytelling, doll-making, weaving, or other skills.

Cable Mill Historic Area in Cades Cove

Kuwohi Unveiled: Wild Wonders & Culture Await

Discover Kuwohi's ranger program - where engaging talks unveil the wonders of local wildlife, ecology, and cultural heritage. Gain unique insights into the area's natural and historical richness, and deepen your appreciation for Kuwohi.

Overlook across from Kuwohi Visitor Center

History of Daisy Town - A Walk through the Past

Visit and walk around the popular Non-Ghost Town of the Smokies and learn about the birth of tourism before the Smokies became a park. 

Jakes Creek Parking Area

Junior Ranger Ramble

Join a ranger for a walk, talk, or guided activity to learn more about natural and cultural history and become a steward of the park. Topics vary daily. Check Sugarlands Visitor Center for more information.

Wild about the Smokies at Oconaluftee

Join a ranger for a short talk on the most popular wildlife in the Smokies. Learn about their behavior, habitat, and ongoing conservation efforts. Get the inside scoop on where to spot these majestic creatures and how to do it safely. 

Oconaluftee Visitor Center porch

Kuwohi Unveiled: Wild Wonders & Culture Await

Discover Kuwohi's ranger program - where engaging talks unveil the wonders of local wildlife, ecology, and cultural heritage. Gain unique insights into the area's natural and historical richness, and deepen your appreciation for Kuwohi.

Overlook across from Kuwohi Visitor Center

Bear with Us!

Come learn all about an iconic symbol of Great Smoky Mountains National Park—black bears!

Located at the Sugarlands Visitor Center

Stream Splashers in Cades Cove

Learn about and look for critters found in the waterways of the park while discovering what they reveal about the health of our streams. Be prepared to get wet. Closed toed shoes recommended.

Cades Cove Amphitheater (near campground store)

Wild about the Smokies at Oconaluftee

Join a ranger for a short talk on the most popular wildlife in the Smokies. Learn about their behavior, habitat, and ongoing conservation efforts. Get the inside scoop on where to spot these majestic creatures and how to do it safely. 

Oconaluftee Visitor Center porch

Down on the Farm

Immerse yourself in Smokies history! Engage with park rangers and living historians to find out how families survived - and thrived - here through daily chores such as blacksmithing, fence making, and hearth cooking. Program topic varies.

Mountain Farm Museum, near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center

Following the River: Nature and History Intertwined at Elkmont

Ever wanted to be a history detective? Join us as we go in search of signs of early settlers of the Smokies learning about cultural and natural history. 2 miles roundtrip 

Little River Trailhead Parking Area

Bear with Us!

Come learn all about an iconic symbol of Great Smoky Mountains National Park—black bears!

Located at the Sugarlands Visitor Center

Stream Splashers at Oconaluftee

Get ready for a splashing good time and discover the magic of local streams, learn about aquatic life, and connect with the environment. Water shoes are recommended.

Mountain Farm Pig Pen near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center

Tiny Wonders in Cades Cove

Take a peek at the smaller side of life in the Smokies. Join a ranger to see what tiny critters you can find when you take the time to look closely. 

Cable Mill Historic Area in Cades Cove

Wild about the Smokies at Oconaluftee

Join a ranger for a short talk on the most popular wildlife in the Smokies. Learn about their behavior, habitat, and ongoing conservation efforts. Get the inside scoop on where to spot these majestic creatures and how to do it safely. 

Oconaluftee Visitor Center porch

Cove Life

Step into the past and learn more about what it was like to live in the Cades Cove community by exploring the cabin where the Cove's first permanent European settlers lived.

John Oliver Cabin in Cades Cove

Down on the Farm

Immerse yourself in Smokies history! Engage with park rangers and living historians to find out how families survived - and thrived - here through daily chores such as blacksmithing, fence making, and hearth cooking. Program topic varies.

Mountain Farm Museum, near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center

Kuwohi Unveiled: Wild Wonders & Culture Await

Discover Kuwohi's ranger program - where engaging talks unveil the wonders of local wildlife, ecology, and cultural heritage. Gain unique insights into the area's natural and historical richness, and deepen your appreciation for Kuwohi.

Overlook across from Kuwohi Visitor Center

History of Daisy Town - A Walk through the Past

Visit and walk around the popular Non-Ghost Town of the Smokies and learn about the birth of tourism before the Smokies became a park. 

Jakes Creek Parking Area

Vital Signs of the Smokies

Join a ranger for a walk or talk about the Smokies' 'vital signs,' observations that can us better understand the challenges this fragile ecosystem faces and appreaicte the beauty around us.

Program at Newfound Gap Overlook.

Wild about Bears in Cades Cove

Stop by for a short chat about bears in the Smokies, what to do if you see one, and how it takes all of us working together to keep them healthy and wild.

Cable Mill Historic Area in Cades Cove

Wild about the Smokies at Oconaluftee

Join a ranger for a short talk on the most popular wildlife in the Smokies. Learn about their behavior, habitat, and ongoing conservation efforts. Get the inside scoop on where to spot these majestic creatures and how to do it safely. 

Oconaluftee Visitor Center porch

Down on the Farm

Immerse yourself in Smokies history! Engage with park rangers and living historians to find out how families survived - and thrived - here through daily chores such as blacksmithing, fence making, and hearth cooking. Program topic varies.

Mountain Farm Museum, near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center

Life in the Appalachians: Walker Sisters Cabin Hike

Take a 2.2 mile roundtrip hike through the woods to the Walker Sisters Cabin and discover the folks that once lived in the mountains. Learn about communities, religion, education, and the “modern” conveniences of the day.  

Little Greenbriar Schoolhouse Parking Area

Hands on Citizen Science at Sugarlands

Step into a bit of discovery at Great Smoky Mountains National Park! Join a ranger for an exciting, hands-on citizen science adventure— learn about tracking blooming trees, searching for lichens, spot birds, and sample stream life while learning how data collection is d......More

Step into a bit of discovery at Great Smoky Mountains National Park! Join a ranger for an exciting, hands-on citizen science adventure— learn about tracking blooming trees, searching for lichens, spot birds, and sample stream life while learning how data collection is done in the park. 

Sugarlands Visitor Center

Stream Splashers at Oconaluftee

Get ready for a splashing good time and discover the magic of local streams, learn about aquatic life, and connect with the environment. Water shoes are recommended.

Mountain Farm Pig Pen near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center

Wild about the Smokies at Oconaluftee

Join a ranger for a short talk on the most popular wildlife in the Smokies. Learn about their behavior, habitat, and ongoing conservation efforts. Get the inside scoop on where to spot these majestic creatures and how to do it safely. 

Oconaluftee Visitor Center porch