BRANCH OUT EVENTS

Photo by Joye Ardyn Durham

Explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park through classes, workshops and other events exclusive to Smokies Life Park Keepers.

Wildflower Wonderland

Birds of Cades Cove

Bird ID Skills for Bird-Curious Beginners

Mindful Birding for Joyful Connection with the Living Landscape

Stroll with the CEO

High Elevation Birds & Blooms

Forest Bathing Guided Walk

Mindful Birding for Joyful Connection with the Living Landscape

Yoga in the Smokies

Discover the Butterflies of the Smokies

Sensational Salamanders

Plant Diversity of the Smokies

The Art of Wildlife Tracking

Wildlife Track and Sign
on Lake Fontana

Insects of the Smokies

Insects of the Smokies​

Monarch Butterfly Tagging

Monarch Butterfly Tagging

Stroll with the CEO

Elk in the Smokies!

Forest Bathing Guided Walk

Mammal Tracks and Traces

Rich Mountain Naturalist Ramble

Greenbrier Naturalist Ramble

The Art of Nature Journaling

Quiet Time in the Smokies

Please be sure to fill out the event policy agreement form prior to participation.

Great Smokies

Welcome Center

Hours of Operation

(subject to change)

Open year round (closed December 25)


January - February

Open Daily 9:00 am - 4:30 pm

March - November

Open Daily 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
December

Open Daily 9:00 am - 4:30 pm

The Great Smokies Welcome Center is located on U.S. 321 in Townsend, TN, 2 miles from the west entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Visitors can get information about things to see and do in and around the national park and shop from a wide selection of books, gifts, and other Smokies merchandise. Daily, weekly, and annual parking tags for the national park are also available.

Physical Address

7929 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway Townsend TN 37882

Contact

865.436.7318 Ext 320