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.

45,525

recent observations

30

species listed

19

plants

3

mammals

4

insects & arthropods

Naturalists have logged 45,525 research-grade observations across the 30 most-recorded species in Great Smoky Mountains. The most frequently seen is the American Black Bear, with 3,249 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

3,249 observations

Pipevine Swallowtail

Battus philenor

2,892 observations

Cervus canadensis

2,567 observations

Meleagris gallopavo

1,838 observations

Galearis spectabilis

1,785 observations · iNaturalist

great rhododendron

Rhododendron maximum

1,709 observations

Mitchella repens

1,673 observations

mountain laurel

Kalmia latifolia

1,636 observations

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Papilio glaucus

1,587 observations

Polystichum acrostichoides

1,568 observations

Galax urceolata

1,532 observations · iNaturalist

American cancer-root

Conopholis americana

1,469 observations

dwarf crested iris

1,454 observations

Red-cheeked Salamander

Plethodon jordani

1,443 observations

downy rattlesnake plantain

Goodyera pubescens

1,436 observations

White-tailed Deer

Odocoileus virginianus

1,349 observations

large white trillium

Trillium grandiflorum

1,267 observations

Scarlet Beebalm

1,253 observations

Trillium erectum

1,242 observations

Solomon's plume

Maianthemum racemosum

1,238 observations

mountain doghobble

Leucothoe fontanesiana

1,214 observations

woodland stonecrop

1,202 observations

Cherokee Blackbelly Salamander

Desmognathus gvnigeusgwotli

1,193 observations · iNaturalist

yellow wakerobin

Trillium luteum

1,178 observations

Common Eastern Bumble Bee

Bombus impatiens

1,146 observations

Geranium maculatum

1,140 observations

Silver-spotted Skipper

Epargyreus clarus

1,108 observations

Blue Ridge Two-lined Salamander

Eurycea wilderae

1,066 observations · iNaturalist

American tuliptree

Liriodendron tulipifera

1,054 observations

Thyme-leaved Bluet

Houstonia serpyllifolia

1,037 observations · iNaturalist

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