Great Smoky Mountains

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is famous for its spectacular wildlife! The Smokies are home to around 65 species of mammals, more than 200 varieties of birds, over 80 types of reptiles and amphibians, and 67 native fish species. When you vacation in Gatlinburg, TN, you will have ample opportunities to see these fascinating critters around the park. To help you make the most of your next getaway, the Bearskin Lodge has put together a guide to finding some of the most popular Smoky Mountain animals.

The vast Pigeon River that resides mainly in East Tennessee is home to a wide array of exciting things to do and places to see. No trip to Pigeon River is complete without taking some time to go rafting. These unforgettable adventures will pique the interest of anyone you travel with, whether they are 8 or 80. Situated just over 20 miles from Gatlinburg, any outdoor and nature lover will enjoy taking a few hours out of their day to go river rafting.

Offers Thrilling Experiences

Rafting is extremely popular within the Smoky Mountains, with no destination more popular for rafting than Pigeon River, due largely to the fact that it offers a wide range of different experiences that you can partake in. Along the prongs and forks of the river, you’ll spot some enchanting wildlife that make their home in the Smoky Mountains. Whether you’re spending time rafting along the Upper Pigeon River or Lower Pigeon River, you can expect a single trip to take anywhere from 2-4 hours, keeping your adrenaline pumping and a smile on your face all the way through.

Given that Pigeon River sits along the edge of the Smoky Mountains and is just nearby Gatlinburg, you can easily plan your day around a rafting trip while still leaving plenty of time to visit other interesting attractions in the area. Pigeon River rafting experiences are guided, so you can be 100 percent confident that you’ll be safe and protected during the trip.

Provides Rafting Experiences For Everyone

No matter how experienced you are with rafting, the Pigeon River offers something for everyone. Even the most intense portions of the river are still relatively safe, so don’t hesitate to try some of the more thrilling Class 4 rapids even if you have little experience. Rafting trips make great excursions for couples, families, groups, or even individuals who just want to have some peace and quiet while out on the waters. Even if you’ve never held a paddle before, you’ll quickly learn how easy it is to handle the raft.

Gatlinburg and all of East Tennessee are picking up the pieces after wildfires roared through the mountains and into town, On November 28th, many buildings and homes in Gatlinburg burned down to their very foundations. More than 150 buildings in all were destroyed. Many people lost their homes and possessions, as they were forced to flee the fires.

The final toll included 2,460 structures damaged or destroyed in Sevier County, and worst of all, 14 lives lost and 191 injured.

But don’t you even get the idea that this is the end of the story, as this story has just begun. The people of East Tennessee have already started picking up the pieces, and support has poured in from across America.

Photo by Alejo Castillo

Singer Dolly Parton, a beloved bigger-than-life East Tennessee legend, hosted a three-hour telethon broadcast on Tuesday, December 13th. The event raised approximately $9 million for victims of the fires in Sevier County. As usual, Dolly has gone above and beyond, as her Dollywood Foundation has pledged to give every affected family $1,000 per month for six months. There are an estimated 1300 families who have lost their homes and could benefit from Dolly’s generosity.

In a statement, Parton said “I am overwhelmed by the generosity of the people who have donated from all over the country and to my friends who donated their time, their talent, and money for My People. The response has been so overwhelming that we haven’t been able to count all of the donations yet; right now, in total, we have raised about $9 million for the folks who lost everything in Sevier County.”

Performing on the telethon were superstars such as Kenny Rogers, Chris Stapleton, Hank Williams, Jr., Cyndi Lauper, and Alison Krauss. Donations were also sent in by a number of other well-known celebrities, including Paul Simon and Kenny Chesney.

The arrival of spring is a big deal in the Great Smoky Mountains. Each year from March until June, Gatlinburg and the surrounding towns kick off Smoky Mountain Springfest . For nature-lovers all around, the annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park gives you a close-up view of this unique land and the creatures that call it home.

Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage: Years of Journeying Through Nature

The first Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage was held in April of 1951 and even then drew a large crowd from at least 20 states. Now in its 66th year, the Pilgrimage has grown from a two-day event to a week-long journey with programs and hikes both indoors and outdoors for nature lovers of all stripes. Volunteers and experts lead groups into the trails of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to take a tour of the flowers and trees that grow here, bird watch, or to improve skills in photography or nature sketching.

You must register for the Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage on their website, where you can explore the many programs and guided explorations offered throughout the week. There will definitely be something for everyone, so you'll want to take some time to browse the comprehensive online guide so you don't miss out on certain programs and can make note of dates, times, and meeting places.

What to Expect and What to Take

Some programs take place indoors at the Mills Conference center or the Sugarlands Training Room in Gatlinburg. Most take place out of doors and on various hiking trails that vary in their length and difficulty. Make note of any special needs that a particular program may require by looking at the brochure first. Longer programs may necessitate carrying a bag lunch along the hike, while a specialized photography class will require your camera and gear. For any of the hiking programs be sure to wear sturdy shoes for hiking and carry plenty of water to stay refreshed during your adventure.

Guided Hikes

With all the Great Smoky Mountains have to offer, it’s not surprising that over 9 million visitors trek to the area each year.

A sub-range of the Appalachians, the Smokies wind along the border of North Carolina and Tennessee before merging with the Blue Ridge Mountains. The range is home to an estimated 187,000 acres of primeval forest, making it the largest such stand east of the Mississippi. The spruce-fir forest in the Appalachians is also the biggest of its kind.

The Smokies also hold bragging rights to one of the most diverse ecosystems on the continent. Outside the tropics, you won’t find a larger or more varied population of salamanders, and there are more black bears to be found here than in all of the Eastern United States.

The “smoke” is natural fog caused by highly pressurized vapors that are exhaled by the vegetation. From a distance, the fog resembles giant plumes of smoke.

A car trip through the Smokies is nice, but a mountain biking excursion is even better. There’s no greater way to commune with nature than to breathe in the aromas of the forest and feel the elements on your skin. Countless rivers and streams course the range, and you don’t want to miss the sound of a single one.

The range is overseen by Great Smoky Mountain National Park, established in 1934. There are no designated biking trails inside the park, and cycling is allowed on only three hiking trails: Deep Creek Trail, Gatlinburg Trail and Oconaluftee River Trail. Biking on the main roads calls for extreme caution. Traffic, blind curves and steep grades make the going rough.

In short, the best trails in Smoky Mountains for biking is outside the national park.

Cades Cove Loop Road

You’ll see plenty of wildlife on this winding, 11-mile loop. It also features the homes of 19th century settlers. Experienced riders shouldn’t have too much trouble with the few steep climbs on the trail. Starting from Gatlinburg, Tenn., the ride to the cove is 27 miles, and you’ll cross the Little River several times. The best times to go are Wednesday and Sunday mornings when car traffic is prohibited until after 10 a.m. This is easily the most popular mountain biking path in the region. Skilled bikers may complete the course in two hours or so, but most riders require three to four.

Foothills Parkway