Wildlife in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Here’s what naturalists are spotting in Great Smoky Mountains right now - pulled live from recent research-grade observations. Browse by group, explore the map, and identify what you find with Huck.

45,941

recent observations

30

species listed

19

plants

3

mammals

4

insects & arthropods

Naturalists have logged 45,941 research-grade observations across the 30 most-recorded species in Great Smoky Mountains. The most frequently seen is the American Black Bear, with 3,299 recorded sightings.

Plants account for the largest share of what gets recorded there (19 of the species listed here), followed by mammals (3).

🖨️ Printable wildlife checklist

Most-observed species in Great Smoky Mountains

American Black Bear

Ursus americanus

3,299 observations

Pipevine Swallowtail

Battus philenor

2,928 observations

Cervus canadensis

2,602 observations

Meleagris gallopavo

1,855 observations

Galearis spectabilis

1,787 observations · iNaturalist

great rhododendron

Rhododendron maximum

1,712 observations

Mitchella repens

1,689 observations

mountain laurel

Kalmia latifolia

1,651 observations

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Papilio glaucus

1,619 observations

Polystichum acrostichoides

1,580 observations

Galax urceolata

1,537 observations · iNaturalist

American cancer-root

Conopholis americana

1,473 observations

Red-cheeked Salamander

Plethodon jordani

1,469 observations

dwarf crested iris

1,455 observations

downy rattlesnake plantain

Goodyera pubescens

1,446 observations

White-tailed Deer

Odocoileus virginianus

1,359 observations

Scarlet Beebalm

1,268 observations

large white trillium

Trillium grandiflorum

1,268 observations

Trillium erectum

1,242 observations

Solomon's plume

Maianthemum racemosum

1,240 observations

mountain doghobble

Leucothoe fontanesiana

1,222 observations

Cherokee Blackbelly Salamander

Desmognathus gvnigeusgwotli

1,213 observations · iNaturalist

woodland stonecrop

1,210 observations

yellow wakerobin

Trillium luteum

1,184 observations

Common Eastern Bumble Bee

Bombus impatiens

1,181 observations

Geranium maculatum

1,141 observations

Silver-spotted Skipper

Epargyreus clarus

1,131 observations

Blue Ridge Two-lined Salamander

Eurycea wilderae

1,078 observations · iNaturalist

American tuliptree

Liriodendron tulipifera

1,065 observations

Thyme-leaved Bluet

Houstonia serpyllifolia

1,037 observations · iNaturalist

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