On a crisp October morning in 2024, our team of Discover Life in America staff, volunteers, and local fungi experts—called mycologists—set out to go “mushroom hunting” at Twin Creeks in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The adventure was part of a MycoBlitz community science survey, with participants working to spot as many fungi species as possible. We had no idea that we would be stumbling
What do rangers eat for lunch? How did the Great Smoky Mountains get their name? Do rangers have to feed the bears? Are there alligators in the park? What about moose? Dolphins? “The kids really want to know,” said Scott Young, a volunteer at Great Smoky Mountains National Park who, together with his wife Jayne, has answered every letter kids from across the country send
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.
