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

    Great Smoky Mountains

    National Park NC,TN

Getting Ready for 2016

The National Park Service turns 100 on August 25, 2016. To us, it's not about cakes and candles — it's about being an organization ready to take on the challenges of our second century. Our blueprint to get there — A Call to Action — outlines the innovative work we want to accomplish. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a big part of this effort. Take a look at what we're doing locally and get involved!

 

  • Artist in Residence Brings Art to the People

    Artist in Residence, Kelly Adams, helps young park visitors with charcoal drawing techniques.

    Great Smoky Mountains National Park initiated their first Artist in Residence Program during 2012. With help from Friends of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as well as the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, the first three artists shared their unique park inspirations to over 1000 park visitors during the summer. Read more

  • High School Interns Work and Learn about Career Opportunities in the Smokies

    High School student hired as a park ranger helps a child find stream invertebrates in a park stream.

    Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with funding assistance from the Youth Partnership Program, hired eighteen high school students from its eight surrounding counties to participate in a summer intern program. Read more

  • Resource Education Staff Leads Distance Learning Classrooms

    Group picture of teacher workshop participants standing in front of snowy woods.

    Park Resource Education staff hosted teacher workshops focusing on weather and technology for 24 local teachers and over 2,000 students. Read more

  • Smokies Youth Leadership Class of 2016

    A group of young backpackers poses by a trailhead sign in the park.

    During the summer of 2012, a group of five students embarked on their first expedition into Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s wilderness as a part of the Experience Your Smokies Youth Leadership Class. The four-year course is being offered through the Park’s partner, Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, and will introduce its young participants to the cultural and biological diversity of the park though classroom programs as well as active outdoor learning opportun Read more

  • Students From the Class of 2016 Explore Parks

    A group of 5th grade students display their National Parks Passport booklets

    Great Smoky Mountains National Park has adopted the 5th Grade class at Pi Beta Phi Elementary School in Gatlinburg, TN to participate in a series of experiences culminating in the National Park Service Centennial in 2016 which coincides with their 8th grade graduation. Read more

Did You Know?

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is America's most visited national park.

Between 8-10 million people visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park each year, making it the most visited national park in the country.