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/.

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

Best Hiking Trails

Hiking is one of the best ways to experience the Smokies in all its glory. There are a variety of trails throughout the park, whether you are looking for a leisurely stroll or a backpacking trip over several days. Alum Cave Bluff, Chimney Tops, Ramsay Cascades and Mount LeConte are all difficult trails. Rainbow Falls, Little Cataloochee Trail, The Boogerman Trail Loop, Copper Road, and Andrews Bald are all moderately hard trails. If you looking for an easy trail, check out Clingmans Dome, Abrams Falls, Look Rock, Cucumber Gap, Sugarlands Visitor Center Nature Trail, and Laurel Falls.

Fall Fishing in the Smokies

One of the many great assets of the Smokies is that you can fish year round. Trout fishing is normally closed in most regions during certain seasons, but if you are brave enough to conquer the icy, winter waters, the several varieties of trout can be found in our waters. Expect to catch native Appalachian brook trout, rainbow, and brown trout. The Appalachian brook trout is the only native species of trout in the Southeastern United States. Don’t expect to catch monster, trophy trout. Most of the park’s trout are small, due largely to the pH balance of the water. Check out Anthony Creek Watershed, Abrams Creek Watershed, the West, Middle, and East prongs of the Little River Watershed for some great spots. Most Smoky Mountain trout feed on slate drakes, blue-winged olive, and little yellow quill hatchlings in the Fall. Click here for more great trout fishing info.

Bird Watching

The Great Smoky Mountains is a premier location for bird watching. The crest of the smokies towers almost a mile above the foothills, while provides a diversity of habitats and climates for the nearly 240 birds that have been found in the park. Out of these 240 birds, only sixty are year round residents. The spruce-fir forest of the high ridges is home to the Black-capped Chickadee, the Golden-crowned Kinglet, and the Blackburnian and Canada Warblers. The northern hardwood and cove hardwood forests are home to the Blue-headed Viero, the Rose-breasted Grosbeak, and the Black-throated Blue Warbler. To learn more about which birds make their home in the smokies, visit http://www.nps.gov/grsm/naturescience/birds.htm.

Plan Your Fishing Trip at The Great Smoky Mountain National Park

Father/son fishing trips are a part of southern culture. The perfect place to plan one is in the many fishing holes located in the Great Smoky Mountains. One place in particular is the Horseshoe located on the Abrams Falls Trail is known for its rainbow and brown trout. They can be found where the Little River meets the Fish Camp Prong in Elkmont. There are some regulations for fishing in the park which can be viewed at the National Park’s website.

Fishing in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park

Fishing in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is the perfect way to enjoy the outdoors in an inexpensive way. Before heading out there are a few guidelines that you should know. If you catch a brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout, or small-mouth bass that is smaller than 7 inches, you must immediately return it to the water. There is no size limit on rockbass. Fishing is permitted by the use of one hand-held rod. Only artificial flies or lures with a single hook may be used. Dropper flies may be used, but only up to two flies on a leader. You cannot use any artificial scents, minnows, worms, corn, cheese, bread, salmon eggs, pork rinds, or natural baits found along the stream. For more information or to talk to a ranger, call (865) 436-1294.

Tarantulas in The Great Smoky Mountains

When you think of tarantulas, you most likely think of the big, furry, scary ones that you see on National Geographic or in movies. Most of these species of tarantulas live in the southwestern parts of the U.S. However, in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park there is a species of tarantulas, most-commonly known as the trap-door spider. They are stocky with short, thick legs, and are sparsely covered with hair. They have eight eyes! One pair is located in the middle with three on each side of their head. They are either tan or chestnut brown in color.

Wildlife Viewing in The Great Smoky Mountain National Park

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has preserved the largest wilderness sanctuary in the Eastern United States. To increase your chances of seeing the most diverse wildlife, be sure to carry binoculars, and drive slow through the park around dawn or dusk. The best place to view elk is in the Cataloochee Valley, where they have been released as an experiment. Cades Cove is filled with white-tailed deer and black bears. Other wildlife throughout the park includes wild turkey, wild boar, mountain lions, fox, bobcats, mink, and exotic wild hogs. Just remember, the animals are pretty to look at, but do not feed them or get too close.

Black Bears in The Great Smoky Mountain National Park

One thing you may think about when you hear the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the black bear. People hope to see them from a distance, but fear to see them up-close. Their life cycle and habits have been studied for years and much has been learned of these animals. There is an estimated 1,000 black bears in the park. Their fur can range from black to varying shades of light brown. Even though they are smaller than grizzly and polar bears, the black bear can weigh as much as 400 lbs and stand 6 ft. tall. During the fall, the bears search for acorns, berries, seeds, insects, and nuts for the winter. They gain anywhere from 3-5 lbs per day in order to survive during the winter and early spring. During October and November, black bears go into a deep sleep, but do not become fully dormant. Because food is so important, the bears are excellent scavengers, especially with the amount of trash that is left in the park by visitors. That is why feeding bears and leaving food unattended is prohibited. The bears are beautiful to observe, but please do your part and do not feed them and protect these unique bears.