Great Smoky Mountains National Park

🇺🇸 United States

🐻 Black Bears and Elk in Cataloochee
🌍 #206 Global · 3.5 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #34 in North America #32 in Temperate Forest
Appalachians, United States 543 spp. recorded

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a temperate forest in the southern Appalachian range of the United States. It is known for rolling ridges cloaked in hardwood and spruce‑fir stands, mist that often hangs over the valleys, and a network of shaded trails that weave through old‑growth woods.

35.570° N   83.628° W

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

American Black Bear ★
LC Endemic

American Black Bear

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Ursus americanus

70–80% · Very likely
Elk ★
LC Endemic

Elk

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Cervus elaphus

70–80% · Very likely
Red-cheeked Salamander ★
NT Endemic

Red-cheeked Salamander

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Plethodon jordani

40–50% · Likely
White-tailed Deer ★
LC Endemic

White-tailed Deer

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Odocoileus virginianus

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

American Crow
LC

American Crow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Corvus brachyrhynchos

70–80% · Very likely
Northern Cardinal
LC Endemic

Northern Cardinal

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cardinalis cardinalis

70–80% · Very likely
Carolina Wren
LC

Carolina Wren

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Thryothorus ludovicianus

70–80% · Very likely
Carolina Chickadee
LC Endemic

Carolina Chickadee

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Poecile carolinensis

70–80% · Very likely
American Robin
LC Endemic

American Robin

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus migratorius

60–70% · Likely
Tufted Titmouse
LC

Tufted Titmouse

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Baeolophus bicolor

60–70% · Likely
Blue Jay
LC

Blue Jay

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cyanocitta cristata

50–60% · Likely
Song Sparrow
LC Endemic

Song Sparrow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Melospiza melodia

50–60% · Likely
Mourning Dove
LC Endemic

Mourning Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Zenaida macroura

40–50% · Likely
Blue Ridge Two-lined Salamander
LC Endemic

Blue Ridge Two-lined Salamander

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Eurycea wilderae

40–50% · Likely
American Goldfinch
LC

American Goldfinch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Spinus tristis

40–50% · Likely
Red-bellied Woodpecker
LC

Red-bellied Woodpecker

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Melanerpes carolinus

40–50% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

American Black Bear ★
LC Endemic

American Black Bear

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Ursus americanus

70–80% · Very likely
Elk ★
LC Endemic

Elk

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Cervus elaphus

70–80% · Very likely
White-tailed Deer ★
LC Endemic

White-tailed Deer

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Odocoileus virginianus

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Eastern Gray Squirrel
LC

Eastern Gray Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sciurus carolinensis

40–50% · Likely
American Red Squirrel
LC Endemic

American Red Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tamiasciurus hudsonicus

30–40% · Possible
Woodchuck
LC

Woodchuck

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Marmota monax

20–30% · Possible
Coyote
LC Endemic

Coyote

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Canis latrans

20–30% · Possible
Eastern Cottontail
LC Endemic

Eastern Cottontail

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Sylvilagus floridanus

10–20% · With luck
Eastern Chipmunk
LC

Eastern Chipmunk

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tamias striatus

10–20% · With luck
Common Raccoon
LC Endemic

Common Raccoon

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Procyon lotor

10–20% · With luck
Northern River Otter
LC Endemic

Northern River Otter

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Lontra canadensis

10–20% · With luck
American Beaver
LC

American Beaver

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Castor canadensis

10–20% · With luck
Virginia Opossum
LC

Virginia Opossum

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Didelphis virginiana

5–10% · With luck
🐒 No photo available
LC

Striped Skunk

🌙 Nocturnal Mammal

Mephitis mephitis

5–10% · With luck
Red Fox
LC Endemic

Red Fox

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Vulpes vulpes

5–10% · With luck

📊 Most Spotted

American Crow
LC

American Crow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Corvus brachyrhynchos

70–80% · Very likely
Northern Cardinal
LC Endemic

Northern Cardinal

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cardinalis cardinalis

70–80% · Very likely
Carolina Wren
LC

Carolina Wren

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Thryothorus ludovicianus

70–80% · Very likely
Carolina Chickadee
LC Endemic

Carolina Chickadee

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Poecile carolinensis

70–80% · Very likely
American Robin
LC Endemic

American Robin

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turdus migratorius

60–70% · Likely
Tufted Titmouse
LC

Tufted Titmouse

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Baeolophus bicolor

60–70% · Likely
Blue Jay
LC

Blue Jay

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Cyanocitta cristata

50–60% · Likely
Song Sparrow
LC Endemic

Song Sparrow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Melospiza melodia

50–60% · Likely
Mourning Dove
LC Endemic

Mourning Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Zenaida macroura

40–50% · Likely
American Goldfinch
LC

American Goldfinch

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Spinus tristis

40–50% · Likely
Red-bellied Woodpecker
LC

Red-bellied Woodpecker

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Melanerpes carolinus

40–50% · Likely
Eastern Phoebe
LC

Eastern Phoebe

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Sayornis phoebe

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Common Watersnake
LC Endemic

Common Watersnake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Nerodia sipedon

40–50% · Likely
Eastern Rat Snake
LC

Eastern Rat Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Pantherophis alleghaniensis

40–50% · Likely
Common Garter Snake
LC Endemic

Common Garter Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Thamnophis sirtalis

40–50% · Possible
Common Box Turtle
VU

Common Box Turtle

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Terrapene carolina

30–40% · Possible
Eastern Fence Lizard
LC Endemic

Eastern Fence Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Sceloporus undulatus

30–40% · Possible
Common Five-lined Skink
LC

Common Five-lined Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Plestiodon fasciatus

20–30% · Possible
Ringneck Snake
LC Endemic

Ringneck Snake

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Diadophis punctatus

20–30% · Possible
Eastern Copperhead
LC Endemic

Eastern Copperhead

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Agkistrodon contortrix

20–30% · Possible
Timber Rattlesnake
LC

Timber Rattlesnake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Crotalus horridus

20–30% · Possible
Eastern Worm Snake
LC Endemic

Eastern Worm Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Carphophis amoenus

10–20% · With luck
Pond Slider

Pond Slider

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trachemys scripta

10–20% · With luck
Snapping Turtle
LC

Snapping Turtle

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Chelydra serpentina

10–20% · With luck

⭐ Iconic Species

Red-cheeked Salamander ★
NT Endemic

Red-cheeked Salamander

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Plethodon jordani

40–50% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Blue Ridge Two-lined Salamander
LC Endemic

Blue Ridge Two-lined Salamander

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Eurycea wilderae

40–50% · Likely
Spring Salamander
LC

Spring Salamander

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Gyrinophilus porphyriticus

30–40% · Possible
Seal Salamander
LC

Seal Salamander

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Desmognathus monticola

30–40% · Possible
Imitator Salamander
NT Endemic

Imitator Salamander

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Desmognathus imitator

30–40% · Possible
American Toad
LC Endemic

American Toad

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Anaxyrus americanus

30–40% · Possible
Southern Red-backed Salamander
LC Endemic

Southern Red-backed Salamander

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Plethodon serratus

30–40% · Possible
Red Salamander
LC

Red Salamander

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Pseudotriton ruber

20–30% · Possible
Pygmy Salamander
NT Endemic

Pygmy Salamander

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Desmognathus wrighti

20–30% · Possible
Eastern Newt
LC

Eastern Newt

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Notophthalmus viridescens

20–30% · Possible
Cherokee Mountain Dusky Salamander

Cherokee Mountain Dusky Salamander

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Desmognathus adatsihi

20–30% · Possible
Northern Slimy Salamander
LC Endemic

Northern Slimy Salamander

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Plethodon glutinosus

10–20% · With luck
Southern Gray-cheeked Salamander
LC Endemic

Southern Gray-cheeked Salamander

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Plethodon metcalfi

10–20% · With luck

Animal Events

🦌

Elk Rut in Cataloochee

SepOct

Bull elk bugle and spar over harems in Cataloochee Valley during the autumn breeding season (rut), peaking .

Elk
LC Endemic

Elk

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Cervus elaphus

70–80% · Very likely
🐻

Black Bear Summer Season

JunJulAug

Black bears are at their most visible in summer, feeding heavily on berries and moving with cubs through Cades Cove and forest edges — matching the species' sighting peak.

American Black Bear
LC Endemic

American Black Bear

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Ursus americanus

70–80% · Very likely
🦎

Salamander Season

AprMayJun

In the 'Salamander Capital of the World', spring rains bring the park's 30 salamander species out in force along streams and wet trails, from the endemic red-cheeked salamander to the giant hellbender.

Red-cheeked Salamander
NT Endemic

Red-cheeked Salamander

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Plethodon jordani

40–50% · Likely
Blue Ridge Two-lined Salamander
LC Endemic

Blue Ridge Two-lined Salamander

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Eurycea wilderae

40–50% · Likely
Hellbender
VU Endemic

Hellbender

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Cryptobranchus alleganiensis

5–10% · With luck

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
American Black Bear
50–60
30–40
50–60
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
80–90
60–70
Elk
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
70–80
70–80
Red-cheeked Salamander
<5
<5
20–30
50–60
60–70
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
30–40
10–20
10–20
White-tailed Deer
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
30–40
50–60
60–70
60–70
American Crow
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
Northern Cardinal
80–90
70–80
80–90
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
Carolina Wren
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
70–80
Carolina Chickadee
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
80–90
70–80
American Robin
60–70
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
70–80
Tufted Titmouse
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
Blue Jay
70–80
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
40–50
40–50
50–60
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
Song Sparrow
70–80
60–70
60–70
50–60
40–50
40–50
50–60
40–50
30–40
50–60
70–80
70–80
Mourning Dove
60–70
70–80
50–60
40–50
40–50
30–40
50–60
50–60
40–50
30–40
40–50
50–60
Blue Ridge Two-lined Salamander
20–30
40–50
60–70
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
50–60
50–60
10–20
American Goldfinch
50–60
40–50
30–40
50–60
40–50
40–50
50–60
60–70
50–60
30–40
50–60
40–50
Red-bellied Woodpecker
60–70
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
20–30
20–30
20–30
40–50
60–70
60–70
50–60
Animal Events
🦌 Elk Rut in Cataloochee
🐻 Black Bear Summer Season
🦎 Salamander Season

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Good
🐻 Black Bears and Elk in Cataloochee

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Very good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
4.2 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
336
🐒 Mammals
86
🦎 Reptiles
53
🐸 Amphibians
68
543 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
17 Threatened 119 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Good

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
3.1 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
66%
📊
Coverage (176 species at ≥5% of 543 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
32%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (9 bird, 3 mammal)
46% Global avg
50%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
92
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
5
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
23

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

The most likely sightings are American Black Bear (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), American Crow (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Northern Cardinal (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Carolina Wren (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Elk (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers) — among 543 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park for wildlife?

November has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see American Black Bear in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

Yes — about 77% of wildlife watchers report a American Black Bear sighting in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, based on 1,741 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Elk in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

Yes — about 72% of wildlife watchers report a Elk sighting in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, based on 1,388 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Red-cheeked Salamander in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

Yes — about 47% of wildlife watchers report a Red-cheeked Salamander sighting in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, based on 515 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see White-tailed Deer in Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

Yes — about 52% of wildlife watchers report a White-tailed Deer sighting in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, based on 647 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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