Mountain Time

Wildlife & Nature

Salamanders of the Great Smoky Mountains: A Hidden World Beneath Your Feet

The Great Smoky Mountains are often called the "Salamander Capital of the World" - and for good reason. With over 30 species found in the park, this region has one of the highest concentrations of salamanders anywhere on Earth. These small, often hidden amphibians thrive in the Smokies’ cool, moist environment and play a vital role in the ecosystem.

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Wildlife & Nature

Wild Animals of the Smoky Mountains (Beyond Black Bears): What Guests Should Know

While black bears often get the spotlight, they’re just one part of a rich and active Smoky Mountains ecosystem. If you're staying at a mountain cabin, you may see - or hear - more wildlife than you expect. Here’s a practical guide to the most common animals in the Smokies, what to expect, and how to safely coexist.

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Wildlife & Nature

Wild Violets in the Great Smoky Mountains: A Delicate Sign of Spring

Every spring, the forests of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park come alive with wildflowers. Among the earliest and most charming are wild violets, small purple blooms that brighten the forest floor and signal that warmer days have arrived. If you're visiting the Smokies in early to mid-spring, spotting these tiny flowers along hiking trails is a special treat.

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Wildlife & Nature

Lady Slipper Orchids in the Smoky Mountains

The Great Smoky Mountains are home to more than 1,500 species of flowering plants, earning the park the nickname "Wildflower National Park."
Among the most fascinating and rare wildflowers in the park are the Lady Slipper orchids, including the Pink Lady Slipper and the Yellow Lady Slipper species that grow in select forest habitats throughout the Smokies.

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Wildlife & Nature

Wild Persimmons in the Smoky Mountains: A Sweet Fall Treat

Wild Persimmons in the Smoky Mountains: A Sweet Fall Foraging Adventure Discover the hidden gem of fall in the Great Smoky Mountains - wild American persimmons! Forage this native treat during your stay at Blue Mountain Cabins near Gatlinburg a...

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Roads to drive, sights to see, things to do, places to visit, tips and interesting tidbits - all about your Smoky Mountains vacation

Salamanders of the Great Smoky Mountains: A Hidden World Beneath Your Feet

Wild Animals of the Smoky Mountains (Beyond Black Bears): What Guests Should Know

Wild Violets in the Great Smoky Mountains: A Delicate Sign of Spring

Lady Slipper Orchids in the Smoky Mountains

Wild Persimmons in the Smoky Mountains: A Sweet Fall Treat

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