There are two entrances to the National Park, one in Gatlinburg, and yours in Townsend, TN just a 15 minute drive down the main road through Wears Valley.
The black bear (Ursus americanus) is easily the park’s most popular citizen and park officials estimate that between 400 and 600 bears inhabit the park.Īs a guest in Wears Valley, you are literally at the gateway to the Tennessee Smokies. Peregrine falcons, red wolves and river otters are recent re-inductees to the park, having been previously eradicated from the area. White-tailed deer, red fox, wood chucks, squirrels and raccoons are often encountered on quiet roadsides. The Smokies are also home to a diverse array of wildlife, harboring over 60 species of mammals, 200 species of birds, nearly 70 kinds of fish and 80 varieties of reptiles and amphibians. Read about the culture of Wears Valley Here. Interestingly, the Smokies’ unique ecosystem combines two different climates – the lower elevations feature a prime example of deciduous forest while the conifer forests along the mountains’ peaks are more like those found in central Canada. Over 1,500 flowering shrubs and plants, 124 species of trees and 30 varieties of orchids and grasses can be found here. More species of plants are found within the park than any other area in North America. Much of the Smokies 500,000 acres are pure wilderness. History unfolds before the eyes, emerging from lush forests and rich lowland valleys. It is a landscape that combines natural and cultural history beautifully. Hosting over 9 million visitors annually, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is America’s most visited national park.
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