A week in the wilderness

By Amy Hunter

For the AJC


More than 9 million people visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park each year, making it the most popular national park in the country. Many of those people will filter through the park Jan. 9 to 16 as they attend the 20th Wilderness Wildlife Week. The annual activities draw a cumulative attendance of about 25,000 people seeking to shake winter’s doldrums.

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Pigeon Forge Winterfest Fly fishing is one of the activities offered during Wilderness Wildlife Week in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

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Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism A Wilderness Wildlife Week hike leader points out a feature of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The week offers almost 60 trips led by experienced hikers.

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Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism A llama trek led by Tennessee outfitter Sandy Sgrillo is one of the more popular hikes on Wilderness Wildlife Week.

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Free for all ages and presented by the city of Pigeon Forge, Tenn., Wilderness Wildlife Week includes seminars, guided hikes, photography classes and animal presentations. It has been named a top 20 event in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society and has received awards from the International Festivals and Events Association for its environmental and educational programs. The hub of activity is the Music Road Hotel and Convention Center.

Choosing among more than 230 programs and almost 60 guided hikes throughout the eight-day event is challenging. As you whittle down your list, you may find you already need to book a return trip next year. The Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism has posted a complete program list at MyPigeonForge.com/Wildlife. However, there are some events that everyone should try to fit in. Note that some of the most popular programs are in those coveted evening time slots.


Don’t Miss

Any program by Ken Jenkins. Founder of the event, noted photographer and writer and outdoor enthusiast, Jenkins has several programs during the week. Be sure to attend at least one.

Dwight McCarter. McCarter, now retired from backcountry ranger duty in the Smokies, showcases a slow mountain drawl and a quick wit as he recounts tales of searching for lost hikers and downed aircraft. He has written books about both subjects. He even teaches a Wilderness Wildlife Week class in tracking.

AppalachiaFest: If you love traditional mountain music, don’t miss AppalachiaFest. This year’s performers include the Lost Mill String Band, Tony Thomas and Friends, and the Carolina Bluegrass Boys.

Tom Harrington. To truly appreciate Great Smoky Mountains National Park, attend Harrington’s “Founding of a National Park” program. Harrington is a park volunteer and has decades of experience hiking on the park’s 800 miles of trails.

Slow Jam. Tony Thomas leads this musical program. Bring your own instrument or just kick back and enjoy the sounds.

Stuart Carroll. Spend an evening outside with Carroll looking at the sky and hearing ancient tales about the stars and moon. Carroll is a ranger at Tennessee’s Fall Creek Falls State Park and a Ranger of the Year Award recipient.

Take a hike. Guided hikes range from easy to rigorous, so ask for recommendations. All hikes start at the Music Road Convention Center, where you will board a bus and be shuttled to the trail head. Sign up ahead of time, as spots on each hike are limited. Guides have the right to refuse anyone they deem unprepared. Pack gloves, headgear, trail snacks, rain gear, extra socks and a flashlight.

If you go

How to get there


Drive time: four hours to cover 237 miles. Take I-75 North to Knoxville. Merge onto I-640 East onto Exit 385 toward Lexington. Merge onto I-40 East toward Asheville, N.C.; take Tenn. 66, Exit 407 toward Gatlinburg/Sevierville/Pigeon Forge.


Where to stay

Music Road Hotel and Convention Center. Headquarters for Wilderness Wildlife Week. Weekday rates start at $69; Friday and Saturday start at $84 and $89. Suites and private balconies available. 303 Henderson Chapel Road. 1-800-429-7700, www.musicroadhotel.com.
Briarstone Inn. About 5 miles from Music Road Hotel, free wireless, suites available. Discount for multiple-night stays. Rooms start at $29.99. 3626 Parkway, 1-866-883-4225, www.briarstoneinn.net.


Where to eat


The Old Mill Restaurant. Located beside the Old Mill, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and one of the most photographed mills in the country. Southern-style food. Entrees $8.50-$19, dessert included. 175 Old Mill Ave., 865-429-3463, www.oldmillsquare.com
Mama’s Farmhouse. Southern home-style cooking. Pinto beans, macaroni and cheese, fried chicken, country fried steak. Children under 5 eat free. Dinner $16.99, lunch $12.99. Children 5-12, dinner $8.99, lunch $7.99. Breakfast served, too. 208 Pickel St., 865-908-4646, www.mamasfarmhouse.com.

Information

Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism. 1-800-251-9100, www.mypigeonforge.com.