18 Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Wheelchair Accessible Trails
Located near Sugarlands Visitor Center , the Sugarlands Valley Trail is wheelchair accessible . Partially paved and nearly level , the half-mile path is good for all skill levels and highlighted by a waterfall . The self-guided nature trail features numbered interpretive signs along the route .
Be a B . A . R . K . Ranger !
Keep you and your pet safe any time you ’ re in the park by following these simple rules :
Bag your pet ’ s waste
Always leash your pet Respect wildlife Know where you can go
Pet Lovers
Dogs are allowed on two park hiking trails — Gatlinburg Trail and Oconoluftee River Trail . Outside those two areas , dogs are allowed in the park only in campground and picnic areas .
Visitors of all ability levels can enjoy a paved trail to discover one of Cades Cove ’ s most popular homesites , the John Oliver Cabin . Originally the home of the first European settlers in Cades Cove , John and Lucretia Oliver , the half-mile trail is approximately eight feet wide to provide adequate space for wheelchairs or other mobility devices to pass one another . The John Oliver Cabin Trail offers outstanding wildlife viewing opportunities for deer , turkey , bears , and grassland birds . Remember that wildlife should be viewed at a safe distance .
Junior Ranger Program
National parks offer a special Junior Ranger Program for kids five to 12 years of age . By completing a series of activities during a park visit and sharing answers with a park ranger , youngsters may receive an official Junior Ranger patch and certificate . Children can be sworn in as a Junior Park Ranger after completing at least five activities and five experiences in the guide . Booklets ($ 4.50 ) are available at any park visitor center or can be downloaded at nps . gov / grsm / learn / kidsyouth / junior-ranger .
Viewing Wildlife
More than 400 species of animals , including an estimated 1,900 black bears , live in Great Smoky Mountains National Park . Bear-watching opportunities are best along Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail and Cades Cove Loop Road . The early morning and evening hours are the best times to view wildlife in the national park . Remember that wildlife should be viewed at a safe distance . Please visit www . nps . gov / grsm / learn / nature / black-bears . htm to learn more about the bears and how to safely share the national park with them .
Leave It LikeYou Found It
Park visitors are urged to respect nature ’ s beauty and leave no trace behind when you depart . Never leave food , trash , personal items or equipment in the park . Regulations for leaving the park like you found it are at nps . gov .
Horseback Riding
Three riding stables provide guided horseback rides from mid-March through late November . Rides can last from 45 minutes to several hours . The stables also offer carriage rides and Cades Cove hayrides . Phone : 865-448-9009 nps . gov / grsm