Official Park Event Calendar

Discover Kuwohi's ranger program - where engaging talks unveil the wonders of local wildlife, ecology, and cultural heritage. Gain unique insights into the area's natural and historical richness, and deepen your appreciation for Kuwohi.

Come learn all about an iconic symbol of Great Smoky Mountains National Park—black bears!

Join a ranger to learn about the history and impact of churches in Cades Cove, along with music of the Cove.

Get ready for a splashing good time and discover the magic of local streams, learn about aquatic life, and connect with the environment. Water shoes are recommended.

Join a ranger for a short talk on the most popular wildlife in the Smokies. Learn about their behavior, habitat, and ongoing conservation efforts. Get the inside scoop on where to spot these majestic creatures and how to do it safely. 

Immerse yourself in Smokies history! Engage with park rangers and living historians to find out how families survived - and thrived - here through daily chores such as blacksmithing, fence making, and hearth cooking. Program topic varies.

Ever wanted to be a history detective? Join us as we go in search of signs of early settlers of the Smokies learning about cultural and natural history. 2 miles roundtrip 

Join a ranger on a walk to learn about lichens that grow in the Smokies and why they are important to ecosystems around the world. 

Step into the past and learn more about what it was like to live in the Cades Cove community by exploring the cabin where the Cove's first permanent European settlers lived.

Visit and walk around the popular Non-Ghost Town of the Smokies and learn about the birth of tourism before the Smokies became a park. 

Join a ranger for a walk or talk about the vital signs of the Smokies which help us to better understand challenges faced by this fragile ecosystem to better appreciate what is around us.

Take a 2.2 mile roundtrip hike through the woods to the Walker Sisters Cabin and discover the folks that once lived in the mountains. Learn about communities, religion, education, and the “modern” conveniences of the day.  

Step into a bit of discovery at Great Smoky Mountains National Park! Join a ranger for an exciting, hands-on citizen science adventure— learn about tracking blooming trees, searching for lichens, spot birds, and sample stream life while learning how data collection is done in the park. 

Join a ranger for a walk, talk, or guided activity to learn more about natural and cultural history and become a steward of the park. Topics vary daily. Check Sugarlands Visitor Center for more information.

Join a ranger-led hike on the Old Sugarlands Trail. Discover how the Civilian Conservation Corps helped establish the park's iconic trails, overlooks, and infrastructure while leaving a lasting conservation legacy for future generations. 3 miles round trip. 

Wondering about wildlife in Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Come learn about some of the wildlife that call the Smokies home. 

Join a ranger to learn more about harmful invasive species being monitored in the park, how they are managed, and what you can do to help prevent their spread!

Get ready for a splashing good time and discover the magic of local streams, learn about aquatic life, and connect with the environment. Water shoes are recommended.

Join us for an adaptive mountain bike ride along the Deep Creek Trail to Indian Creek Trail (5-7 miles roundtrip). This difficult ride will have steep uphill sections and uneven, rocky terrain that requires e-assist. Registration is required.

Two rides will be offered on October 17th.

Registered participants are welcome to bring their own adaptive equipment.

Artist-In-Residence, Jenna Marie Kesgen invites visitors to celebrate fall colors by creating their own botanically-inspired Greeting Card! Using vibrant watercolors, participants can paint an autumn leaf composition inspired by the colors and shapes of our changing forests. Jenna will provide paints, stencils and other creative-composition aids to help visitors of all ages and abilities create a unique gift-card that will be treasured for many years to come! 

Grab your chair or blanket and gather at the grassy area between C and D loop for an unforgettable evening program featuring the ranger's favorite Smokies topic.

Grab your chair or blanket and gather at the grassy area between C and D loop for an unforgettable eveing program featuring the rager's favorite Smokies topic.

Join in with local musicians playing old-time songs on traditional Appalachian instruments, like the mountain dulcimer. All experience levels and instruments welcome.

Take in the stunning Smokies’ fall colors while helping to keep the park safe! We’ll work alongside a team of Wildland Firefighters to remove leaf litter and other flammable tree debris that’s collected around the historic cabins of Daisy Town near Elmont Campground . Location: Daisy Town Historic District (TN) Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. Ages 13+.

Pre-registration required.

• Contact us (using the link under contact information)
• Enter ‘SMOKIES SERVICE DAYS’ in the subject bar
• Indicate which Date(s) & Activities you wish to register for
• Include number of participants and the age of any youth volunteers

You’ll receive a confirmation email if space is available on dates you request. Detailed information will be provided to participants closer to the event date.

Join us for an adaptive hike along the Porters Creek Trail. The hike is moderate to difficult with a few sections of uphill, rocky terrain. Registration is required. Registered participants are welcome to bring their own adaptive equipment.

Two hikes are being offered on Saturday, October 24.

The backup date for this event is Sunday, October 25, 2026.

Artist-In-Residence, Jenna Marie Kesgen invites visitors to celebrate fall colors by creating their own botanically-inspired Greeting Card! Using vibrant watercolors, participants can paint an autumn leaf composition inspired by the colors and shapes of our changing forests. Jenna will provide paints, stencils and other creative-composition aids to help visitors of all ages and abilities create a unique gift-card that will be treasured for many years to come! 

To wrap up the 2026 season, we’re honoring our veterans with a park cemetery clean-up! We’ll join the Smokies Archeology Team in cleaning gravestones clearing litter, leaves, and tree debris for this historic site located near Elkmont Campground. Location: Levi Trentham Cemetery (TN) Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. All Ages.

Pre-registration required.

• Contact us (using the link under contact information)
• Enter ‘SMOKIES SERVICE DAYS’ in the subject bar
• Indicate which Date(s) & Activities you wish to register for
• Include number of participants and the age of any youth volunteers

You’ll receive a confirmation email if space is available on dates you request. Detailed information will be provided to participants closer to the event date.

Artist-In-Residence, Christopher Chaput  -  We're still working out his plan. But it will likely involve making take-home fabric prints using natural sources (moss, bark, leaf stain). He may also encourage making simple music compositions that reflect the living landscape of the park.

Artist-In-Residence, Christopher Chaput  -  We're still working out his plan. But it will likely involve making take-home fabric prints using natural sources (moss, bark, leaf stain). He may also encourage making simple music compositions that reflect the living landscape of the park.