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Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Tennessee · Southeast

ModerateOfficial Site
Habitat
ForestMountain
Best Seasons
SpringSummer
Difficulty

Moderate

Best Months

May-June

Entrance Fee

Free (parking tag $5/day required)

Hours

Open 24 hours

About This Location

The Great Smoky Mountains harbor remarkable avian diversity across elevation gradients from 900 to over 6,600 feet. Higher elevations host northern breeding species like Black-capped Chickadee and Red Crossbill, while cove hardwood forests teem with breeding warblers.

Location

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Notable Species

Cerulean WarblerBlack-capped ChickadeeRed CrossbillWinter WrenNorthern Saw-whet Owl

Live Bird Data

Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Notable Sightings

Golden Eagle

Aquila chrysaetos

3/4/2026Tennessee NWR, Duck River Bottoms1 observed

Ross's Goose

Anser rossii

3/4/2026Cane Creek Park1 observed

Greater Yellowlegs

Tringa melanoleuca

3/4/2026Swamp Rd. Area1 observed

Greater White-fronted Goose

Anser albifrons

3/4/2026Shelby Park--Sevier Lake area1 observed

Fish Crow

Corvus ossifragus

3/4/2026J. Percy Priest Lake--Hurricane Creek Boat Ramp1 observed

Greater Scaup

Aythya marila

3/4/2026Franklin Reservoir (viewing from outside fence only)1 observed

Blue-headed Vireo

Vireo solitarius

3/4/2026Point Park1 observed

Ross's Goose

Anser rossii

3/4/2026Cane Creek Park1 observed

Mallard x American Black Duck (hybrid)

Anas platyrhynchos x rubripes

3/4/2026Cane Creek Park1 observed

Black-throated Green Warbler

Setophaga virens

3/4/2026ORNL (REDC)1 observed

Gray Catbird

Dumetella carolinensis

3/4/2026J. Percy Priest WMA--Field Trial Area1 observed

Pectoral Sandpiper

Calidris melanotos

3/4/2026J. Percy Priest WMA--Field Trial Area1 observed

Say's Phoebe

Sayornis saya

3/4/2026Shelby Farms Park--Gardner Rd. Gardens1 observed

American Tree Sparrow

Spizelloides arborea

3/4/2026Shelby Farms Park--Gardner Rd. Gardens1 observed

Say's Phoebe

Sayornis saya

3/4/2026Shelby Farms Park--Gardner Rd. Gardens1 observed

Ross's Goose

Anser rossii

3/4/2026Cane Creek Park, Cookeville US-TN 36.16191, -85.541911 observed

Neotropic Cormorant

Nannopterum brasilianum

3/4/2026Robco Lake/Coro Lake1 observed

Harris's Sparrow

Zonotrichia querula

3/4/2026Shelby Farms Park--Mid-South Raptor Center Area1 observed

Gray Catbird

Dumetella carolinensis

3/4/2026J. Percy Priest WMA--Field Trial Area1 observed

Pectoral Sandpiper

Calidris melanotos

3/4/2026J. Percy Priest WMA--Field Trial Area2 observed

Recent Observations

Osprey

2324–2338 Topside Rd, Louisville US-TN 35.83958, -84.00623

3/4/2026

1 birds

Carolina Wren

Big Limestone road

3/4/2026

1 birds

Turkey Vulture

Big Limestone road

3/4/2026

1 birds

Song Sparrow

Big Limestone road

3/4/2026

1 birds

Tree Swallow

Big Limestone road

3/4/2026

1 birds

Loggerhead Shrike

Hitch Pond

3/4/2026

1 birds

Golden-crowned Kinglet

7107 Leslie Dell Ln, Chattanooga US-TN 35.02169, -85.16939

3/4/2026

1 birds

Tufted Titmouse

7107 Leslie Dell Ln, Chattanooga US-TN 35.02169, -85.16939

3/4/2026

1 birds

Downy Woodpecker

7107 Leslie Dell Ln, Chattanooga US-TN 35.02169, -85.16939

3/4/2026

1 birds

American Crow

7107 Leslie Dell Ln, Chattanooga US-TN 35.02169, -85.16939

3/4/2026

3 birds

Eastern Phoebe

7107 Leslie Dell Ln, Chattanooga US-TN 35.02169, -85.16939

3/4/2026

1 birds

Northern Cardinal

7107 Leslie Dell Ln, Chattanooga US-TN 35.02169, -85.16939

3/4/2026

2 birds

Brown Thrasher

7107 Leslie Dell Ln, Chattanooga US-TN 35.02169, -85.16939

3/4/2026

1 birds

Red-tailed Hawk

2714 Stubbs Bluff Road, Knoxville, Tennessee, US (35.917, -84.241)

3/4/2026

1 birds

American Robin

2714 Stubbs Bluff Road, Knoxville, Tennessee, US (35.917, -84.241)

3/4/2026

1 birds

Chipping Sparrow

2714 Stubbs Bluff Road, Knoxville, Tennessee, US (35.917, -84.241)

3/4/2026

1 birds

House Finch

2714 Stubbs Bluff Road, Knoxville, Tennessee, US (35.917, -84.241)

3/4/2026

1 birds

Brown Creeper

2714 Stubbs Bluff Road, Knoxville, Tennessee, US (35.917, -84.241)

3/4/2026

1 birds

Red-bellied Woodpecker

2714 Stubbs Bluff Road, Knoxville, Tennessee, US (35.917, -84.241)

3/4/2026

2 birds

White-throated Sparrow

2714 Stubbs Bluff Road, Knoxville, Tennessee, US (35.917, -84.241)

3/4/2026

1 birds

Birding Tips

  1. 1

    Bird Clingmans Dome road at dawn for high-elevation species

  2. 2

    Cades Cove loop is excellent for general birding

Amenities

Parking
Restrooms
Visitor Center
Trails
Campground

Nearby Attractions

  • Gatlinburg
  • Cades Cove

Birding Guides

Understanding Bird Migration: When, Where, and Why Birds Migrate

12 min read

Top Spring Migration Hotspots Across America

10 min read

Fall Migration Guide: Hawks, Sparrows, and More

10 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park for birding?▼
The best months to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park for birding are May-June. The best seasons are Spring and Summer.
What birds can I see at Great Smoky Mountains National Park?▼
Notable species at Great Smoky Mountains National Park include Cerulean Warbler, Black-capped Chickadee, Red Crossbill, Winter Wren, Northern Saw-whet Owl. The area supports forest, mountain habitats.
How difficult is birding at Great Smoky Mountains National Park?▼
Birding at Great Smoky Mountains National Park is rated as Moderate. Some trails may require moderate fitness and basic hiking ability.
Is there an entrance fee at Great Smoky Mountains National Park?▼
The entrance fee at Great Smoky Mountains National Park is Free (parking tag $5/day required). Hours: Open 24 hours.
What amenities are available at Great Smoky Mountains National Park?▼
Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Visitor Center, Trails, Campground.