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

    Great Smoky Mountains

    National Park NC,TN

Schedule Of Events

Join a ranger-guided program to learn about the park.

Explore the park with a ranger!
Use the calendar below to find information about the park's ranger-guided programs, special events, volunteer opportunities, and more!

In addition to the programs listed below, daily milling demonstrations are offered spring through fall at the park's historic Mingus Mill and Cable Mill.


How to use the Search for Events feature
To search for events by dates, click on the small calendar icons to choose your start and end dates, then click on "Show Results" for a listing of programs. Or type in a keyword and click on "Show Results" to view programs by topic.

 

Search for Events

Events Upcoming for May

Showing 6 results

  • Cosby in the Park

    Saturday, May 18, 2013

    Celebrate Southern Appalachian culture with music, hikes, and demonstrations of blacksmithing, quilting, corn shuck dolls and crafts, old time toys, natural foods and medicinal plants, and other folk arts. Plus much more! More

    Time:
    10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
    Location:
    Cosby Campground Amphitheatre
    Fees:
    Free

  • Oconaluftee Back Porch Old Time Music

    Saturday, May 18, 2013

    Join us on the back porch of the visitor center for a jam session. All levels of playing are welcome. More

    Time:
    1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
    Location:
    Oconaluftee Visitor Center Porch
    Fees:
    Free

  • Return of the Elk

    Tuesday, May 21, 2013

    Learn about the return of the elk to the Smokies with a guided hike to the elk acclimation pen. More

    Time:
    5:00 PM to 6:30 PM
    Location:
    Cataloochee Valley, Rough Fork Trailhead
    Fees:
    Free

  • Cades Cove Full Moon Walk

    Thursday, May 23, 2013

    See Cades Cove in a different light. Wear good walking shoes, bring water and a flashlight. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Subject to cancellation due to hazardous weather. More

    Time:
    8:30 PM to 10:30 PM
    Location:
    Orientation Shelter at the entrance to the Cades Cove Loop Road
    Fees:
    Free

  • Blacksmith Demonstration

    Saturday, May 25, 2013

    Learn the art of blacksmithing and why it was important in the Cades Cove community. More

    Time:
    10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
    Location:
    Blacksmith building near the Cades Cove Visitor Center/Cable Mill area
    Fees:
    Free

  • Blacksmith Demonstration

    Sunday, May 26, 2013

    Learn the art of blacksmithing and why it was important in the Cades Cove community. More

    Time:
    10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
    Location:
    Blacksmith building near the Cades Cove Visitor Center/Cable Mill area
    Fees:
    Free
 

More Programs To Help You Explore the Park!
Two of the park's partner organizations also offer a wide variety of programs. Please visit their websites for program schedules and fees.

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont offers programs for all ages: summer camps, family camps, naturalist workshops, hiking adventures, and more. (865) 448-6709

Smoky Mountain Field School offers workshops, day hikes, family adventures and more. Programs on synchronous fireflies, butterflies, wildflowers, mushrooms, old-growth forests, salamanders, stream life, elk, bears, tracking, early settlers, the Cherokee, and so much more! (865) 974-0150.



Did You Know?

An experimental program to reintroduce elk to the park was begun in 2001.

An experimental program to reintroduce elk to the park was begun in 2001. Elk once roamed the Smokies, but were eliminated from the region in the mid 1800s by over-hunting and loss of habitat. Other animals successfully reintroduced to the park include river otters and barn owls.