Free Activities in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Monday, September 29

Quilting
10:30 AM to 3:00 PM
Location: Becky Cable House at Cades Cove Visitor Center
A demonstration of quilting techniques.
This program is on-going throughout the day.

Stream Life
2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Location: Sugarlands Visitor Center
Have you ever wondered what lives in a mountain stream? Join us for an easy stroll along the creek to find out.



Tuesday, September 30

Little Greenbrier Schoolhouse
10:30 AM to 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM
Location: Little Greenbrier Schoolhouse
Go back in time to discover what it was like to live in a mountain community and go to school in a one-room schoolhouse. This program is fun for all ages. Please arrive 15 minutes before program start; space is limited.

Quilting
10:30 AM to 3:00 PM
Location: Becky Cable House at Cades Cove Visitor Center
A demonstration of quilting techniques. This program is on-going throughout the day.


Nestled In The Hills: The Noah "Bud" Ogle Place
12:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Location: Noah "Bud" Ogle Place on Cherokee Orchard Road
Who lived in this place? Meet park staff at the cabin for a series of short walks and talks around this mountain farm. Brief tours of the cabin will alternate with 45 minute walks to the barn and tub mill at 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm.


Wednesday, October 1

Heritage Hunt
1:30 PM to 2:30 PM
Location: Cades Cove Primative Baptist Church
Join a park ranger to learn about the cemeteries of Cades Cove. After the talk, a self-guiding activity booklet will be provided to discover the stories, mysteries and insight cemeteries give us about community life in the cove.

Quilting
10:30 AM to 3:00 PM
Location: Becky Cable House at Cades Cove Visitor Center
A demonstration of quilting techniques. This program is on-going throughout the day.

Traditional Old Tyme Music
10:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Location: Cades Cove Visitor Center
The group "Tymes Past" presents music gleamed from the immigrant homeland and altered to a unique lifestyle in the Appalachians. This program is on-going throughout the day.

Mountain Living "Life in the Roaring Fork Community"
11:00 AM to 1:30 PM
Location: Noah
Would you like to do something different while visiting the Smokies? Learn about living in the mountains as we caravan along the 5-mile Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, stopping at different farmsteads such as the Ephraim Bales and Alfred Reagan places.

Cataract Falls Walk
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: Sugarlands Visitor Center Patio
Meet a park ranger for an easy stroll to one of the hidden secrets of the Sugarlands.

The Civilian Conservation Corps
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Location: Newfound Gap, Rockefeller Memorial
In this 75th anniversary year of the New Deal and the Civilian Conservation Corps, come learn about what the "Three C`s" meant to our National Parks.


Thursday, October 2

Junior Ranger Program
1:00 PM to 1:30 PM
Location: Cades Cove Visitor Center
Bring the family for a hands-on exploration of the Cove.
Accessible to persons using wheelchairs.
Note that travel time to programs at Cades Cove Visitor Center/Cable Mill area may be an hour or more once you enter the Cove due to heavy traffic volume. Plan accordingly.

Traditional Old Tyme Music
10:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Location: Cades Cove Visitor Center
The group "Tymes Past" presents music gleamed from the immigrant homeland and altered to a unique lifestyle in the Appalachians. This program is on-going throughout the day.

Cades Cove Primitive Baptist Church
11:00 AM to 11:30 AM, 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM
Location: Cades Cove Primative Baptist Church
Precious memories still linger and are alive at the Primitive Baptist Church.

Trees Of The Sugarlands Valley
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: Sugarlands Visitor Center Patio
Join us for a leisurely walk along the Fighting Creek Nature Trail to identify some of the trees found in the Smokies. This is an ideal program for future Junior Rangers.

Nestled In The Hills: The Noah "Bud" Ogle Place
12:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Location: Noah "Bud" Ogle Place on Cherokee Orchard Road
Who lived in this place? Meet park staff at the cabin for a series of short walks and talks around this mountain farm. Brief tours of the cabin will alternate with 45 minute walks to the barn and tub mill at 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm.

WILD by Design
2:30 PM to 3:00 PM
Location: Cades Cove Visitor Center
A talk and hands-on demonstration about some of the wild things in the park.
Note that travel time to programs at Cades Cove Visitor Center/Cable Mill area may be an hour or more once you enter the Cove due to heavy traffic volume. Plan accordingly.

Cades Cove Evening Program
8:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Location: Cades Cove Campground Amphitheatre
Gain insight into some of the special features of Cades Cove.


Friday, October 3

Traditional Old Tyme Music
10:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Location: Cades Cove Visitor Center
The group "Tymes Past" presents music gleamed from the immigrant homeland and altered to a unique lifestyle in the Appalachians. This program is on-going throughout the day. Join us at anytime.

Cataract Falls Walk
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: Sugarlands Visitor Center Patio
Meet a park ranger for an easy stroll to one of the hidden secrets of the Sugarlands.

Indians, Bushwhackers And Conscripts: The Civil War in the Smokies
11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Location: Sugarlands Visitor Center Patio
Join us for a short walk to hear about Colonel Thomas and his legion of Confederate Cherokees, the Civil War outposts of Clingmans Dome, Fort Harry, and Alum Cave, and the Battle of Gatlinburg.

October Night Hike
7:30 PM to 10:00 PM
Location: Orientation Shelter at the entrance to the Cades Cove Loop Road
Listen to the spirits of Cades Cove. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
Difficulty: Easy.
Wear comfortable walking shoes.

Saturday, October 4

Junior Ranger Program
1:00 PM to 1:30 PM
Location: Cades Cove Visitor Center
Bring the family for a hands-on exploration of the Cove.
Note that travel time to programs at Cades Cove Visitor Center/Cable Mill area may be an hour or more once you enter the Cove due to heavy traffic volume. Plan accordingly.

Attack Of The Killer Adelgids: Threats To The Hemlock Forest
1:00 PM to 1:30 PM
Location: Sugarlands Visitor Center Patio
A discussion about the non-native insect now destroying the Hemlock forests of the Smokies. Find out the current status and what is being done to one of the signature trees of the park.

Oconaluftee River Trail Walk
10:00 AM to 10:45 AM
Location: Oconaluftee Trailhead adjacent to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center
Join the Ranger for a short easy walk on the Oconaluftee River Trail.

Little Cataloochee Hike
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Location: Meet at parking area on left just after entering Cataloochee Valley
Join a Ranger for a hike into Little Cataloochee Valley to discover the rich history of the area. Stops on the hike include the Hannah Cabin, Little Cataloochee Baptist Church and cemetery, and the restored Dan and Rachel Cook Cabin on Coggins Branch. Wear comfortable hiking shoes. Bring a bag lunch and drinking water.
Duration: 4-5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate, 5 miles round-trip, 300 ft. elevation change with some steep trail sections.

Autumn Arrives In The Smokies
10:30 AM to 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM
Location: Sugarlands Visitor Center Patio
Join a ranger to discover the "wondrous" world of the Smokies in fall, and learn about some out of the way places to view fall color.

Traditional Old Tyme Music
10:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Location: Cades Cove Visitor Center
The group "Tymes Past" presents music gleamed from the immigrant homeland and altered to a unique lifestyle in the Appalachians. This program is on-going throughout the day.

Mill Walk
12:00 PM to 12:30 PM
Location: Cades Cove Visitor Center
A walk through several of the historic structures that were important in the community.

WILD by Design
2:30 PM to 3:00 PM
Location: Cades Cove Visitor Center
A talk and hands-on demonstration about some of the wild things in the park.
Note that travel time to programs at Cades Cove Visitor Center/Cable Mill area may be an hour or more once you enter the Cove due to heavy traffic volume. Plan accordingly.

Junior Ranger: Young`uns: Life on the Farm
2:30 PM to 3:15 PM
Location: Mountain Farm Museum adjacent to Oconaluftee Visitor Center
What kinds of chores and games did kids have on a farm in the "old days?" Join a Ranger to discover how children worked and played. You may even get to feed the pigs and chickens!

On Top Of Old Smoky: Sunset at the Dome
6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Location: Clingmans Dome Parking Lot
Experience inspiring views from the highest point in Tennessee, and the third highest in the eastern United States. Future Junior Rangers will enjoy learning about the creatures of the night in the Spruce-fir forest. Bring a flashlight!
Level: Moderate to strenuous.

The Resort Communities Of Elkmont
6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Location: Elkmont Campground Entrance Station
What’s the story of the buildings located behind today`s Elkmont Campground? Learn about early 20th century Smokies vacationers on this 1 ½ hour walk through one of the historic resort communities of Elkmont.

Traditional Evening Campfire Program
7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Location: Elkmont Campground Amphitheatre
Gather for a "Ranger`s Choice" series of special programs. Topics vary from natural to human history.

Stargazing
7:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Location: Orientation Shelter at the entrance to the Cades Cove Loop Road
Join a park ranger and the Smoky Mountain Astronomical Society as we learn about the stars and galaxies. Numerous telescopes will be available for viewing the night skies. Bring warm clothes, a blanket to sit on and a flashlight. The program will be cancelled in the case of rain.
Difficulty: Easy 1/3 mile walk to program site in a field.

Cades Cove Evening Program
8:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Location: Cades Cove Campground Amphitheatre
Gain insight into some of the special features of Cades Cove.
Wheelchair accessible.


All of the above programs are free and many are wheelchair accessible.
For more information check their website or contact them here.
To download maps go here.
For more information on the Junior Ranger program, stop by any park visitor center or the Cades Cove or Elkmont campground.