Smoky Mountain Wildlife

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is well known for its population of up to nearly 2,000 black bears, which translates to about 2 bears per square mile! One of the other popular residents that call the park home is the white tailed deer, which you can often spot in open grassy areas like Cades Cove and Cataloochee Valley. You might even stumble across them while enjoying a drive through the Smokies or hiking along one of the many trails in the park! Here is everything you need to know about these beautiful animals in the Smoky Mountains:

Black bears are the most popular animal in the Smoky Mountains, as they have a population density of 2 bears per square mile. It will be exciting to see one or even a group of them in person, but you want to make sure you’re sage. Want some helpful information before your next visit in case you do spot them? Here is our list of 4 black bear safety tips to follow in the Smokies

The NPS employs hundreds of workers and volunteers in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but there are some behind-the-scenes workers you probably aren’t as familiar with! You might know about the llamas that carry supplies to LeConte Lodge, but did you know that mules also help transport supplies to backcountry sites? Keep reading to learn more about these hard workers and some interesting facts about mules in the Smokies!

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to a wide variety of wildlife. Some animals have a large population, such as the black bear. We are going to tell you about a smaller creature that is not seen as often. Simply read on to find out more. Here is a list of 4 fun facts about the Indiana bat in the Smoky Mountains:

You’ll find an amazing and diverse collection of wildlife in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, including the flying squirrel! This includes both the rare and endangered Carolina northern flying squirrel, which lives in high-elevation spruce-fir forests, as well as the more common southern flying squirrel. These unique creatures represent a significant and protected part of the park’s diversity, particularly in the high-elevation ecosystems. Here are 4 fascinating things to know about the flying squirrels in Tennessee:

Many visitors to Great Smoky Mountains National Park hope to catch at least one glimpse of the park’s famous black bear! It has been estimated that about 1,500 bears live in the park, which is equal to a population density of roughly two bears per square mile. Therefore, your odds are pretty good if you plan to spend any significant amount of time in the park! If you want to increase your chances of seeing a bear, there are several locations where sightings are especially common! Here are the top 4 places to see bears in the Smoky Mountains:

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a great place for wildlife viewing. While people no longer live in the area, many kinds of animals call the Smokies home. They come in all different sizes. The bigger animals are easiest to spot! The North Carolina side is heavily populated with elk. We would love to tell you more about these majestic creatures. Here are the top places to see elk in the Smoky Mountains:

The Great Smoky Mountains are home to a variety of wildlife. Black bears are by far the most popular, but you may see deer and wild turkeys as well. Researchers are constantly proving that there is still more life to be discovered here. Their hard work has unveiled even more creatures in the vast landscape. Read on to learn more about the latest discovery: several new species of millipede in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park!

One small creature that has an abundant population in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the salamander. The area is home to around 30 different species, which makes it the “Salamander Capital of the World.” Curious about some of the species you’ll find while out exploring the many hiking trails, streams, waterfalls, and creeks? Here is a list of 4 salamanders of the Smoky Mountains you may see:

One of the primary reasons why so many folks love visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the abundance of wildlife! In addition to the iconic black bear, there are excellent opportunities to view white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, salamanders, and all types of other fascinating critters throughout the park! It is no wonder that the Smokies are such a prime destination for nature lovers and photographers from around the world! To make your visit a safe and enjoyable experience, here are a few insider tips for viewing wildlife in the Smoky Mountains:

While hiking through the Smoky Mountains, have you ever felt that sensation of being watched, even if there is no visible proof to confirm that feeling? Maybe you have seen something moving around the woods in the corner of your eye, or come across what appears to be a large footprint in the mud! If so, you might be wondering if the legendary Bigfoot lives right here in the Smokies! Read on to understand more about the fascination with Bigfoot in the Smoky Mountains:

The natural scenery of the Smokies is not just beautiful, for it is home to a rich population of wildlife. While they are always fun to look at, experts want to study the various wildlife in the park. The information gained gives them insight into the status of animal populations. They want to ensure that they are healthy and thriving. Read on to learn more about an upcoming study on one of the park’s most popular creatures, salamanders! Here's everything you need to know about the new Hellbender study at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park:

During your winter visit to the Smokies, you have the exciting opportunity to spot wildlife! Black bears are the most popular creature in the area with a population of more than 1,500. However, they are sleeping in their dens for a majority of the winter which makes it harder to spot them during this time. Even so, there are many other animals you can see wandering in the cooler weather. Read on to learn more about them! Here is a list of some animals that you can see during your winter visit to Great Smoky Mountains National Park:

The Smoky Mountains are home to a fascinating variety of wildlife, including the North American River Otter! These adorable animals range throughout the lower elevation of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and inhabit the areas around the various creeks and rivers. While taking a hike through these types of scenic areas in the park, keep your eyes open for otters at play! Here are the top 4 things to know about the river otters in Smoky Mountains National Park:

White-tailed deer can be found throughout the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but they are most often spotted in places with open fields like Cades Cove and Cataloochee Valley. It’s not uncommon to see these amazing animals while you are driving through the Smoky Mountains or hiking along a trail. Here are 7 interesting facts about Smoky Mountain white-tailed deer that you probably didn’t know.