If you are planning a field trip in the park, please contact the Education Office at (865) 436-1713 for important safety information. Advance planning is extremely important to assure a safe and enjoyable trip for your students.

• Choosing a Field Trip Location
No entrance fee is charged to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park, however the park receives over 9,000,000 visitors each year and popular areas can become quite crowded. Teachers and other group leaders desiring to use specific areas of the park should contact the park's Education Office at (865) 436-1713 to determine whether another group has been formally scheduled to use a particular site such as a visitor center, picnic area, etc.

There is no guarantee that another group will not be utilizing the same location that you plan to visit. With the exception of picnic shelters, areas can not be reserved for the exclusive use of individual groups, therefore two or more groups may be sharing the same area.

• Park Rules and Regulations
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a federally protected public use area. Certain activities are prohibited—such as picking wildflowers, feeding wildlife, or approaching closer than 150 feet to elk or bear. Be familiar with the park's rules and regulations. For further information or questions, contact the national park at (865) 436-1713. Please use common sense and plan appropriately when participating in outdoor activities in the park.

• Dressing for the Weather
Students should wear appropriate footwear and clothing for an extended outdoor program. Short pants, flip flops, or sandals are not recommended. Temperatures in the mountains can be 10-15° Fahrenheit colder than at your school. Be prepared to alter portions of your program should inclement weather occur.

• Restrooms and Water
Restrooms and water fountains are located at developed areas such as campgrounds, picnic areas, and visitor centers. Never drink untreated water from a stream or spring source. Bathroom use in undeveloped areas must be at least 100 feet from any trail or water source and all human waste must be buried.

• Lunches
Lunches may not be eaten within 100 feet of historic structures. This helps to protect them from food messes which attract rodents and other animals. For safety, never leave food unattended unless it is contained in a closed vehicle (such as a bus).

• Group Size and Bus Travel
Certain locations are more suitable than others for accommodating large group sizes. If you are uncertain if a location will accommodate the number of students in your group, please contact the park at (865) 436-1713.

Buses are prohibited on some secondary roads in the park, including Balsam Mountain Road, Greenbrier Road past the ranger station, Heintooga Ridge Road, Parson Branch Road, Rich Mountain Road, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, and the road exiting the park at Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area. Caution is also advised when traveling on Little River Road between the Townsend entrance to the park and Elkmont Campground, and on the road leading into Cataloochee Valley. Please download and read through the Tour Bus Guide for additional information.

• Cell Phones and Emergency Contacts
Cell phone coverage is not reliable in the park’s mountainous terrain. Be sure to stick to your agenda. In case of emergency, if you have cell phone reception, call 911. For non-emergencies, contact park rangers at (865) 436-1294. If you do not have phone reception, contact the nearest park employee and they can assist using the park's radio communication system.