One of America’s largest classrooms, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is just minutes away from Pigeon Forge. Sugarlands Visitor Center is the primary point of information for visitors coming to the national park. At Sugarlands, students can view natural history exhibits to learn about the park’s plants and animals.
Science & Nature
Groups can enjoy ranger-led seasonal programs that provide curriculum-based experiences in America’s most-visited national park. Students can engage in outdoor learning by using the park’s cultural and natural resources as teaching tools.
The park has dedicated programming for kindergarten through 5th grade, 6th through 8th grade and 9th through 12th grade. Younger students will use their five senses to learn about animals and nature, while middle school learners discover plant life, organisms, animals and more.
High schoolers can get hands-on science lessons on snails, salamanders and microscopic creatures during labs and interactive workshops. Try nature journaling and write about the most biodiverse park in the entire national park system with over 19,000 fascinating species.
History & Culture
The Smoky Mountains National Park is rich with Southern Appalachian history and culture, spanning thousands of years. Learn about prehistoric Paleo Indians and early European settlers in the 1800s. Discover logging traditions and how it has changed over the decades. Through artifacts, stories, historic structures and awe-inspiring landscapes, the park provides immersive learning opportunities for students.
Groups can be aided by lesson plans available at www.nps.gov/teachers to enhance field trips.
