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Great Smoky Mountains National ParkWild Turkeys are plentiful in the park.
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Be A Junior Ranger
 
Two boys search for aquatic life in a park stream.
Dana Soehn Photo.

Kids—if you're between the ages of 5-12, you can become a Junior Ranger! Pick up a Junior Ranger booklet for $2.50 at any park visitor center or at the Cades Cove or Elkmont campground. Complete the activities in the booklet then stop by a visitor center to talk to a ranger and receive your Junior Ranger badge.

You can become a Junior Ranger at any time of year, but during spring, summer, and fall, ranger-led Junior Ranger programs are offered especially for children. Read through the schedule of ranger-led programs to find these special Junior Ranger programs.

 
 
Junior Ranger programs offer children a chance to explore the park and learn about the past.
Don McGowan Photo
Junior Ranger: Blacksmithing
Want to see what Junior Ranger programs are all about? Watch a video of the Junior Ranger Blacksmith program at the Mountain Farm Museum.
 
Black bear
Black Bears
An estimated 1,500 black bears live in the park.
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Black-chinned red salamander
Salamander Capital of the World!
At least thirty species of salamanders live in the park.
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white-tailed deer
Wildlife Watching
Open areas such as Cades Cove and Cataloochee are good places to view wildlife.
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Grotto Falls in Roaring Fork
Waterfalls
Waterfalls can be found on nearly every stream in the park.
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Great Horned Owls can be heard most often in January and February  

Did You Know?
More than 240 species of birds have been found in the park. Sixty species are year-round residents. Nearly 120 species breed in the park, including 52 species from the neo-tropics. Many other species use the park as an important stopover and foraging area during their semiannual migration.

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Last Updated: February 24, 2009 at 15:52 EST