• Approximately 1,500 black bears live in the national park.

    Great Smoky Mountains

    National Park NC,TN

A Waterfall In Your Classroom?

How would you like to have a waterfall in your classroom? Or seven hundred and fifty white tailed deer, a million blooming wildflowers, and the largest collection of historic log buildings in the east? You can have all of these and more when you use the park as your classroom to share the stories and science of the Great Smoky Mountains with your students.

Student with clipboard collecting data with a ranger

Features

  • Two high school students using a thermometer to take soil temperature

    Parks As Classrooms

    We offer a wide variety of free, ranger-led, curriculum-based programs for your students.

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  • Ranger helping teachers collect data during a teacher workshop.

    Professional Development

    Expand your teaching skills at one of our teacher workshops.

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  • Mountain view from the learning center at Purchase Knob

    Science Learning Center

    Learn about the park's Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center at Purchase Knob.

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  • A proud, new Junior Ranger is sworn in.

    Programs and Special Events

    Explore the wonders of the park with a Ranger.

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  • A white-tailed deer

    Distance Learning

    Your students can explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park without leaving your classroom!

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  • A women with binoculars looks for birds

    Institutes and Field Schools

    Great Smoky Mounains Institute at Tremont and the Smoky Mountain Field School offer a variety of educational programs in the park.

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