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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
HORSEBACK RIDING
WILDLIFE
Guided horseback rides are available at four
More than 400 species of animals, including
riding stables from mid-March through late
an estimated 1,500 black bears, call America’s
November. Scenic trail rides can last from
most visited national park home. Some of the
45 minutes to several hours.
best bear-watching opportunities can be found
on a drive along Roaring Fork Motor Nature
Trail or Cades Cove Loop Road. Always remember
BLOOMS AND BLOSSOMS
to view any wildlife from a safe distance.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is known for its diversity of wildflowers. More than 1,500
species of flowering plants are found in the park, more than any other North American national park.
Blooming flowers can be found in the park year round. Spring blossoms include columbine, violets and
jack-in-the-pulpit. Summer brings black-eyed susans and purple-fringed orchids, among others, while
fall features sunflowers, coneflowers and asters. Azaleas peak in April; mountain laurel in early May;
rhododendron in June.