Riding Stables

Everyone has seen the old Western movies where men get from saloon to saloon by riding on a horse. Today, horseback riding has become less of something you see a movies and more of something you see people doing all the time. The Great Smoky Mountains has a beautiful view and several horseback-riding stables. The names and contact information are listed below.

 Smoky Mountain Riding Stables: located in Gatlinburg. To contact, call 865) 436-5634 or visit their website: http://www.smokymountainridingstables.com/

Cades Cove Riding Stables: located in Townsend. To contact, call (865) 448-9009.

Walden Creek Stables: located in Sevierville. To contact, call (865) 429-0411 or visit their website: http://www.waldencreekstables.com/

Sugarlands Riding Stables: located in Gatlinburg. To contact, call (865) 436-5634.

Cycles in The Mountains: Rentals

Bicycling is one of the most enjoying activities to experience in the smokies. Bicycles can travel on most roads within the park and cyclists can traverse the parkway’s unfinished portions. Do not worry if you want to cycle in the smokies but are not able to find a bicycle to ride- Cades Cove offers a bicycle rental. The Cades Cove Bicycle Rental Office is open seven days a week and has a large assortment of single speed bicycles for rent by the hour. The rental office also has accessories and safety equipment for visitors to rent. If you are interested in renting a bicycle, visit their website: http://www.cadescove.net/bicycling_cades_cove.html

The Great Smoky Mountain Salamander Ball

The Great Smoky Mountain Salamander Ball was written by Lisa Horstman and the Great Smoky Mountains Natural History Association and published in April 1997.  It is a children’s book for ages 5-7 years old.  The book is about a young girl’s trip to the Smokies.  While camping with her family, she sneaks out of the tent and watches a salamander ball, but then is discovered by them.  This picture book will keep children intrigued.  The book is about $7.00 and can be purchased through the Great Smoky Mountains Association or other online book stores.

Smoky Mountain Field School

The Smoky Mountain Field School was started by The University of Tennessee to help people utilize the Great Smoky Mountains.   They conduct workshops, hikes and other activities to help people learn more about the mountains.  Their mission is to enhance public appreciation, understanding and stewardship of the Smoky Mountains.  Some of their course offerings are Incredible Edibles and Traditional Medicines, A Smoky Mountain Day Hike, and Tracking and Nature Observation. There are activities for all ages and abilities.  The courses are around $50 and all take place in the Smoky Mountain National Park.  For more information visit http://www.outreach.utk.edu/smoky/.

Volunteers in The Park Program

 

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park needs volunteers. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, join the Park’s Very Important People program or VIP. A variety of areas need work, so there is something for everyone. 

 

Visit

http://www.nps.gov/gettinginvolved/volunteer/opportunities.htm?id=grsmfor a complete list of opportunities. 

Fall Foliage Report

A visit to the Smokies is a must in autumn. Mid-October and early November is usually the peak of color, and the best way to see the fall foliage is to reach a high elevation. If you want to drive, try Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, Newfound Gap or Parsons Branch Road. If you are a hiker, try Sugarland Mountain, Albright Grove, Andrew’s Bald or Mt. LeConte.

For more information, visit http://www.gatlinburg.com/.

Elk Bugling

Elk once roamed the Smokies before they were over-hunted, but they were reintroduced in 2001. Click the link below to hear a sound that is once again familiar in the Smokies, thanks to the elk. 

 Check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYzWmKlZtrU

Tulip Poplar

There is no better time to visit the Smokies than in the fall; the weather is nice, and the fall foliage is beautiful. The Tulip Poplars of the Smokies turn to bright yellow when the weather turns colder, so the mountains light up with color. The Smokies are also home to one of the tallest tuliptrees, standing 178.5 feet tall along Baxter Creek. The Tulip Poplar is also the state tree of Tennessee, so make sure to see one while you visit. 

Ghost Stories in The Smokies

This October, prepare yourself for bone chilling stories during the Ghost Walk of Gatlinburg. Though this event doesn’t have masked ghouls and chainsaws making you scream throughout the walk, the stories themselves paint the frightening picture of the past 100 years of murder and mayhem in Gatlinburg and The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This tour offers the only ghost detector in town so that you are able to get the whole experience of passing over a supernatural area. The walk runs nightly at 9, 10:30 and midnight. 

 

Experience the fear yourself nightly, but first visithttp://www.ghostwalkofgatlinburg.com/default.html , for prices, directions and more information. 

All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory

ATBI is a project of Discover Life in America.  It officially launched on Earth Day 1998.  The goal is to catalogue and record all of the estimated 100,000 species of living organisms in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  The scientific plan is to create an inventory of organisms which has never been attempted before.  From worms and leeches to deer and birds, the organization hopes to gather all necessary information to help understand the relationship between the living creatures.  Discover Life in America offers opportunities students to get involved through internship programs, and they also offer volunteer opportunities.