Nature lovers, hikers and outdoors enthusiasts unite for Wilderness Wildlife Week™ in Pigeon Forge!

From educational programs designed specifically for the youngsters to guided hikes into the Great Smoky Mountains for the more adventurous folks, Wilderness Wildlife Week offers a variety of programs for all ages and interests. What better place to celebrate the features, creatures, and cultures of Great Smoky Mountains National Park than in the Center of Fun in The Smokies?

This spring celebration of the great outdoors is free and open to the public Seminars and workshops are offered daily at the LeConte Center.

Click here for the 2018 Wilderness Wildlife Program Guide! 

A Selection of New Featured Highlights for 2018

Young Experts Program

A major addition to this year’s Wilderness Wildlife Week is the Young Experts Program (YEP). This special incentive program has been designed to provide youth ages 12 and younger an immersive and unique way to learn about wildlife, wilderness, old-time arts, area history, Appalachian culture and to connect to the great outdoors. More than 125 classes and excursions are available in this inaugural year.  Session attendance and participation also allow each youth participating the opportunity to receive credit to redeem for free gifts for participating in the program. Gifts include coloring books, teddy bears, Frisbees and other special prizes and treats.  Complete information will be available in the Event Program Guide and at the Information Desk during Wilderness Wildlife Week

First-Ever Film Race Competition

Another major addition for this year’s Wilderness Wildlife Week is the first-ever 48 Hour Film Race. The total prize money up for grabs in the contests and categories is $1,500. Please note this is a family-friendly event and entries featuring profanity or nudity will not be accepted.  For the 48 Hour Film Race, the contest theme will be announced during Wilderness Wildlife Week at 10 AM on Tuesday, May 8 in Greenbriar Hall C. Those participating have until 10 AM on Thursday, May 10 to submit their short films (no longer than 3 minutes) for judging and showcasing. All submissions will be shown with winners announced beginning at 4:45 PM on Saturday, May 12 in Greenbriar Hall C.

Wilderness Wildlife Week Photography Contest Goes to Digital Display Format

For our photography friends, there are some major changes for this year’s photography contest. For the first time ever, submissions for the contest will be digital only. What this means is the contest will no longer display printed images for judging and will be a Digital Display Photography Contest. This change has been made for a myriad of reasons as we know it will make the contest easier and more affordable to enter. Additionally, the categories and submission guidelines have also changed.  Additionally, there will be special physical photography displays you do not want to miss!

Wordsmiths of the Smokies: A New Programming Track

As a way to celebrate those who use the art of spoken and written words, Wordsmiths of the Smokies is a special programming tract celebrating authors, storytellers, and poetry of the Great Smoky Mountains. This special series is set for Saturday, May 12 in North 2AB. For a complete schedule of programs in this series, please see the Saturday program schedule.

These are just a few of the great new additions for Wilderness Wildlife Week.