Heavenly Mountain Chalet in Pigeon Forge TN: Bring the whole gang!

Looking to rent a chalet in Pigeon Forge big enough to hold up to 10 people? Well the Heavenly Mountain 3 bedroom chalet for rent could be just what you are looking for!

This family friendly chalet is less than 5 minutes from everything you could want in downtown Pigeon Forge where plenty of Smoky Mountains adventures await you. The Heavenly Mountain large chalet has all the creature comforts of home - that is if your home has a hot tub, whirlpool Jacuzzi tub and pool table!

Besides plenty of room inside this chalet tucked in the Great Smoky Mountains, there is plenty of room outside as well. With all the deck space that this chalet has, some of which is even covered, you will have plenty of room to have a cook out on the grill or just sit back and relax and take in the fresh Smoky Mountains air.

The master bedroom of this 3 bedroom chalet has a big king size bed and the other 2 bedrooms have comfortable queen size beds. Additional sleeping accommodations are the 2 sleeper sofas.

So sit back, light a fire in the fireplace on a cold winter's night, watch some TV and if you want, surf the web or check your email on your laptop as this chalet has free high speed wireless internet service!

Heavenly Mountain is a great place to stay on your family's next Smoky Mountains vacation.

Heavenly Mountain - Pigeon Forge TN 3 Bedroom Log Cabin - Sleeps 10 1 King size bed, 2 Queen size bed, 2 Sleeper Sofa, Jacuzzi, Hot Tub, Pool Table, 2 Fireplaces: gas, Washer/Dryer, Seasonal Swimming Pool Access and free wireless internet! $175 - $225 per night (holidays higher) Click Here To Visit This Cabin Reserve This Cabin Online Now

A Smoky Retreat is perfect for family fun or romance in the Smokies

Lest face it, we all need to getaway every now and than and the Smokies are a perfect place to take a retreat away from it all. Come and recharge in this 2 bedroom log cabin rental called A Smoky Retreat which is the perfect place in Pigeon Forge Tennessee to do it. Well actually this charming cabin that will accommodate up to 8 is located just outside Pigeon Forge in the beautiful Wears Valley area.

The Smoky Retreat log cabin rental has all what a family needs when they go on a Smokies retreat in the Mountains. From the private community with seasonal swimming pool access where it is located, to the entertainment inside the cabin such as the foosball table and Xbox system to the romantic touches such as the fireplace where you could cuddle up and a private Jacuzzi whirlpool tub this is a fantastic vacation rental.

Outside the cabin, relax on the deck, sit in one of the rocking chairs and take in the great outdoors in the fresh Smoky mountains air. How about a dip in the hut tub after an long and exciting day romping around the Smoky Mountains? It won't take long before you will feel relaxed on your Smoky retreat!

When it's time to venture and explore outside the cabin you will find that here at A Smoky Retreat you are just minutes away from everything! You are close to Dollywood, Splash Country, the hundreds of restaurants in the Pigeon Forge Gatlinburg area and just a stones throw away from the Great Smoky Mountains national park.

Everyone will love staying in the a Smoky Retreat log cabin!

A Smoky Retreat - Pigeon Forge TN 2 Bedroom Log Cabin - Sleeps 8 2 King Size Beds, 2 Sleeper Sofas, Fireplace: gas, Hot Tub, Jacuzzi, Washer / Dryer, Great place for family fun with seasonal Swimming Pool access, Foosball Table and an Xbox game System! $160 - $175 per night (holidays higher) Click Here To Visit This Cabin Reserve This Cabin Online Now

A Smoky Getaway is the perfect 2 bedroom log cabin for a Smokies Vacation

The name of this rustic 2 bedroom log cabin for rent in Pigeon Forge says it all: A Smoky Getaway! Just what the doctor ordered - stress relief and the perfect place to relax in beautiful Wears Valley just outside Pigeon Forge in the Great Smoky Mountains.

You enter the private community where the Smoky Getaway cabin is located by crossing over a river in covered bridge. On the right up the hill is the beautiful swimming pool which you have access to in the warmer months - in the cooler months you can just hang out in your own hut tub at the cabin.

Location is everything and this cabin is located right smack dab in the middle of the best that the Great Smoky Mountains has to offer. You are minutes from Dollywood and Splash County and everything along the parkway in Pigeon Forge, less than 10 minutes from the Wears Valley entrance of the Great Smoky Mountains national park and less than 15 minutes to downtown Gatlinburg!

This cabin has plenty of creature comforts inside such as a gas fireplace, a romantic Jacuzzi and for the kids a Foosball table - all this in a quiet family friendly neighborhood - the perfect place for a Smoky Getaway cabin rental.

So if you are looking to take getaway to the Smokies for a few days or a few weeks, this is the perfect cabin to rent for a small to mid size family or a small group of friends!

A Smoky Getaway - Pigeon Forge TN 2 Bedroom Log Cabin - Sleeps 8 2 King Size Beds, 2 Sleeper Sofas, Fireplace: gas, Hot Tub, Jacuzzi, Washer / Dryer, Kids will love the Foosball Table and the Seasonal Swimming Pool Access and you will love to relax here! $160 - $175 per night (holidays higher) Click Here To Visit This Cabin Rent This Cabin Online Now

Bear Naked Pigeon Forge 1 Bedroom Cabin for Rent

We found another fantastic 1 bedroom 2 story log cabin for rent that will hold up to 6 people in an upscale but rustic private mountain community in the Wears Valley area of Pigeon Forge Tennessee in the Heart of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Not only is this charming vacation rental cabin in a fantastic location - 8 minutes from the Great Smoky Mountains national park entrance in Wears Valley, 5 minutes from the Pigeon Forge parkway and less than 10 minutes from Dollywood, the Bear Naked 1 bedroom log cabin is loaded with entertainment inside!

Hang out on the decks and watch the birds and the squirrels in the woods right next to you, or relax and take a dip outside in the hot tub or inside in the private Jacuzzi tub and when in season go to the private pool right down the block in this private Smoky Mountain community.

Inside this 2 story log cabin rental you can rekindle the romance with the double sided gas fireplace or kick back and watch one of the TVs with cable service or pop a movie into the DVD player. Did we mention the Pool Table?

The whole family will love taking a vacation in the Great Smoky Mountains when you rent the Bear Naked 1 bedroom log cabin in Pigeon Forge.

Bear Naked - Pigeon Forge TN 1 Bedroom Log Cabin - Sleeps 6 1 King Size Bed, 1 Sleeper sofa, 1 Futon, Pool Table, Hot Tub, Jacuzzi, Fireplace: gas, with seasonal pool access $135 - $150 per night (holidays higher) Click Here To Visit This Cabin Rent This Cabin Online Now

Last day of Wilderness Wildlife Week in Pigeon Forge

Sadly tomorrow is the last day of Wilderness Wildlife Week in Pigeon Forge but that doesn't mean there will a lack of great programs for everyone to enjoy.

You can search high and low but you won't find an educational and entertainment value anywhere better then the 19th annual Wilderness Wildlife Week in Pigeon Forge and next years 20th will be even bigger and better.

The biggest problem we are finding with Wilderness Wildlife Week is that is far too much to do and everyone coming here has been disappointed in the fact that they had to make difficult choices between all the great hikes and all of the great demonstrations and lectures.

The Information and Seminar Registration Table is open from 7:00 am - 10:00 pm and the last day of the Photo Exhibit and the Textiles of the Smokies exhibit is only open from 9:00 am - Noon and Photo Pick-up at Noon - 2:00 pm.

• 8:30 am - 9:30 am Using Photoshop in Nature Photography with Larry Perry


• 9:00 am - 10:00 am The Appalachian Trail: An Entertaining Adventure with Jeff Alt


• 9:00 am - 10:00 am Essential Gear for the Day Hiker presented by Jim Richards


• 9:00 am - 10:00 am Discovering the Cumberlands by Stuart Carroll


• 9:00 am - Noon Rappelling for Beginners with Alfred Ballinger (Pre-registration is required and is limited to 15 participants)


• 10:00 am - 11:00 am Little Places, Big Pictures by Bill Work


• 10:15 am - 11:00 am Hiking with Children by Jeff Alt


• 10:30 am - 11:30 am The Smoky Mountains from Behind the Camera with Harold Stinnette


• 11:30 am - 12:30 pm Raptors of Bays Mountain Park: Live Bird Show presented by Rob Cole


• 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Seeing Double 3-D (Stereo) Photography Out West, Down Home and Up Close with Lee Pratt and Andrea Sheatley


• 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Attracting Wild birds That Don't Eat Seed presented by Steve Garr


• 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Kids Track: Silly Safaris Show: Live Animal Show with Amazon John, Alligator Aaron and Safari Steve


• 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm An Overview of Primitive Wilderness Skills with Larry Smith


• 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm Heartbreak and Hilarity: Tragedy and Humor as Seen in Appalachian Folk Music and Tales with Dr. Harley Jolley and The Trantham Family Singers


• 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm Black Bear and Wild Hog Biology with David Whitehead


• 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm America from 500 Feet II with Bill Fortney


• 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm Close-Up and Macro Photography Workshop presented by Andrea Shetley (Pre-registration is required and is limited to 15 participants)


• 3:45 pm - 4:45 pm Heartland! In the 25th Year with Doug Mills


• 3:45 pm - 4:45 pm Photographics with Bill Fortney


• 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm Appalachian Folk Medicine: with Barry and Jeanie VanWinkle


• 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm Mark Klemetsrud as President Teddy Roosevelt


• 5:15 pm - 6:15 pm Dutch Roth-Early Smokies Photographer by Charles Maynard


• 6:15 pm - 7:15 pm The Spirit of John Muir by Lee Stetson


• 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm Bill Landry: As William Bartram

Though Wilderness Wildlife Week in Pigeon Forge is almost over for the year, many folk are still staying around longer since there are great discounts on cabin rentals.

January 16th Schedule for Wildlife Wilderness Week in Pigeon Forge

Only 2 more exciting days left for the Wilderness Wildlife Week lectures, hands on classes and guided hikes taking place in Pigeon Forge Tennessee in the Music Road Hotel Convention Center just off the parkway.

Cold weather is still expected to continue into Friday but not cold enough for hiking if you bundle up in layers.

• 8:00 am - 11:00 am Advanced Visual Tracking with Joe Kelley


• 8:30 am - 10:00 am Wolves of Bays Mountain with Rhonda and Rick Goins


• 9:00 am - 9:30 am 75 on the 75th: Hiking all Trails in the Park presented by Jerry Span


• 9:00 am - 10:00 am Kids Track: Silly Safaris Show: Live Animal Show Amazon John, Alligator Aaron and Safari Steve


• 10:00 am - 10:45 am The Amazing Diversity of Fall Creek Falls State Park by Stuart Carroll


• 10:15 am - 11:15 am Introduction to Close Up Macro Photography with Andrea Shetley


• 10:30 am - 11:15 am Kids Track: Wings of America: Live Eagle Show by the American Eagle Foundation


• 11:00 am - Noon Do it Yourself: Building A Backyard Bird Habitat presented by Mark Dunaway


• 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm The Butterfly Garden: If You Build it, they will come Glenda and WC. Julian, Leo Lubke and Alan Bruhin


• 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Young Teddy Roosevelt with Mark Klemetsrud


• 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Bluebirds Year-Round! With Steve Garr


• 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Up and Close Macro Photography Workshop with Andrea Shetley (Pre-registration is required and is limited to 15 participants)


• 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm Unusual Camping Tricks and Gizmos with Larry Smith


• 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm North Woods Lakes, Lighthouses and Landscapes by Kendall Chiles


• 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm This Land of Change presented by Mike Meldrum


• 2:15 pm - 3:15 pm Lost Species by Paul James


• 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm Coal Mining Days in Story and Song with Tony Thomas


• 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm Challenger Opens Doors (The American Bald Eagle) Bob Hatcher


• 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm Digital Storytelling with Bill Work


• 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm The History of the Banjo by the Boogertown Gap Band


• 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Illustrated Lecture "Birds of the Smokies" presented by Dr. Fred Alsop


• 4:30 pm - 5:15 pm Wings of America: Live Bird of Prey Demonstration by the American Eagle Foundation


• 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm That Magnificent Army of Youth and Peace: The CCC's in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park with Dr. Harley Jolley


• 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Bird Songs of the Smokies with Mark Dunaway


• 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm John Muir: Among the Animals presented by Lee Stetson

After a long day of guided hikes and lectures be sure to take some me time in your cabin by relaxing in the hot tub or by the fireplace!

Day 6 of Winterfest Wilderness Wildlife week in Pigeon Forge

Wilderness Wildlife Week in Pigeon Forge is till going strong and is rolling onto day 6 on Thursday January 15th with an incredible schedule of lectures and hands on classes.

For the hikers the weather has been cold but the hikes have been fantastic except for a mishap where a hiker broke her ankle in 2 places earlier this week on the MT Le Conte hike.

You can still get information about Winterfest Wilderness Wildlife from 7:00 am - 9:30 pm in the lobby of Music Road Hotel Convention Center and at the end of the hall the Photo and Textiles of the Smokies Exhibit are open from 9:00 am - 6:00 pm.

• 8:30 am - 11:30 am Basic Visual Tracking presented by Joe Kelly


• 8:30 am - 12:30 pm Nature Photography Workshop Don McGowan, Kendall Chiles and Les Saucier


• 8:45 am - 9:45 am Introduction to Musical Instruments in Story and Song with Tony Thomas


• 9:30 am - 10:30 am The Art of Dowsing: Do You Have the Art? By Charlie Monday (Pre-registration is required and is limited to 30 participants)


• 9:30 am - 10:30 am Building Professional Grade Slideshows by Dale Knight


• 10:00 am - 11:00 am Six Months of Hummingbirds in Your Yard with Steve Garr


• 11:00 am - Noon The Walker Sisters of Little Greenbrier with Arthur McDade


• 11:00 am - Noon Be Careful Out There with Joe Taft


• 11:15 am - 12:15 pm Tennessee Town and Country Scapes with Jack Carman


• 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm Bringing Back a Legend Cougar Recovery in Eastern North America by Jay Tischendorf


• 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm A Studio in a Cooler by Jim Eastin


• 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Where's Mommy? Rehabilitating Wildlife presented by Phyllis Rollins


• 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm The Fontana Project with Jerry Span


• 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm What's in the Camera Bag? Presented by Andrea Shetley


• 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm Let's Sketch a Bird - Advanced Drawing with Louise Bales (Pre-registration is required and is limited to 20 participants)


• 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Meet the Knoxville Zoo Bird Show with Nicki Edwards, Erin Gray, Jill Berry and Elisabeth Zafiris


• 2:15 pm - 3:15 pm Creating Sustainable Backyard Habitat for Wildlife with Phyllis Rollins


• 2:15 pm - 3:15 pm Hike Twentymile with Jerry Span


• 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm The Art of Dowsing: Do You have the Gift? Presented Charlie Monday (Pre-registration is required and is limited to 30 participants)


• 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm Wood Carving, Butterfly, Flower - PART 2 with Don Taylor Limited to 8 participants: pre-registration is required Participants must bring own carving knife Continued from Tuesday, 2:00 - 5:00 pm


• 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm Nature's Magical Moments: Reflection on Nature and Self by Ellen Hitchcock


• 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Digital Photography-Shooting Like a Pro! With Richard Iceland


• 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Mountain Families, Lives and Music performed by the Boogertown Gap Band


• 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm Hills-N-Hollows: An Appalachian Sampler with Mike and Kathy Gwinn


• 4:45 pm - 5:45 pm Hiking and Photography with Robert Schuffert


• 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm Music and Memories from an Earlier Time Greenbrier the Whaley Family Singers


• 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Young Teddy Roosevelt by Mark Klemestrud


• 6:00 pm Sign ups for Saturday Hikes


• 7:00 pm Slow Jam with Tony Thomas - you can bring Your Own Instrument or simply enjoy and listen


• 7:00 - 7:45 pm The Wood Pickers: Old Time Celtic and Bluegrass Music performed by Jeanie Hilten and Friends


• 7:30 - 9:00 pm Conversations with a Tramp and an Evening with John Muir and Lee Stetson


• 8:30 pm "Lore of the Stars and Moon" with Stuart Carroll and if the Weather permits, the group will go outdoors

Wilderness Wildlife Week day 5 Schedule in Pigeon Forge Tennessee

Although it was cold today with some picturesque flurries it was perfect for hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains national park or attending he great classes and lectures today during the Wilderness Wildlife week Winterfest Celebration in Pigeon Forge.

The following is schedule for Wednesday day 5 of the Wilderness Wildlife Week:

• 8:30 am - 9:30 am Pig Tales Wild Hog Control in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with Rick Varner


• 9:00 am - 10:00 am Cardinals Everybody's Favorite Red Bird presented by Regina Garr


• 9:00 am - 10:30 am Kids Track: Especially for Kids: Hidden Treasures from around the World and Beyond: Gems, Minerals and Florescent Rocks by Alfred Stuart
• (Pre-registration is required and is limited to 70 participants)


• 10:00 am - 11:00 am Old Gatlinburg: Panelists discuss their memories of a Gatlinburg of Yesterday - Panelists: Charlotte Conner, Marvin McCarter and David Ogle Moderated by Theresa Williams


• 10:00 am - 11:00 am How to Write About Your Outdoor Experience with Glenn Himebaugh


• 10:15 am - 11:15 am Looking and Seeing A Closer Look with Alan S. Heilman


• 10:30 am - Noon Building America's Most Scenic Roadway: A History of the Blueridge Parkway presented by Kathy Gwinn


• 11:00 am - Noon Old-Time Mountain Music and Nature performed by the Boogertown Gap Band


• 11:30 am - 12:30 pm Old Sevierville by Jimmie Temple


• 2:30 pm - 1:45 pm XC-Skiing and Hiking in the Snow in the Great Smoky Mountains national park by Wendell Liemohn


• 12:30 - 3:30 pm Film and Digital Basics in photography with Richard Iceland


• 1:00 - 2:00 pm Appalachian Funnies - A 'clean' joke contest featuring Appalachian humor. Emceed by Jim Hedrick, co-owner of The Comedy Barn in Pigeon Forge, where In honor of the 75th anniversary of the GSMNP, he will present his own program of Appalachian funnies.


• 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm The Best Hiking Companions Llamas! Live Animal Presentation with Sandy Sgrillo


• 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Creating Digital Slideshows: Pro Show Gold and Other Approaches with Andrea Shetley


• 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm Woodcarving: Butterfly, Flower - 2-day Class with Don Taylor Limited to 8 participants: pre-registration is required Participants must bring own carving knife Concludes on Thursday, 3:00 - 6:00 pm


• 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm The Walker Sisters: Learn of these self sufficient women of Little Greenbrier in the Great Smoky Mountains-women from another generation in modern times presented by Robin Goddard


• 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm "Denali National Park" Bob and Gloria Epperson


• 2:45 pm - 3:45 pm How to be Safe While Hiking in the Wilderness with Pete Rogers


• 3:45 pm - 4:45 pm Origin of Place Names on the State Line Ridge and the Carolina Side of the Smokies by Allen R. Coggins


• 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Marble Contest Competition - Learn the old time art of ring marble playing with Veta King


• 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm Walking in Beauty: Connecting with the Natural World by Don McGowan


• 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm "Backpacking in the Smokies-Getting Started Safely" presented by Arthur McDade, Mike Braun and Pam Rodgers


• 4:30 pm - 5:45 pm Rafting and Hiking the Grand Canyon Bill and Rosemary Deitzer


• 5:15 pm - 6:15 pm Music of Our American Roots - performed the Lost Mill String Band


• 5:45 pm - 6:45 pm Scenic North Alabama with Robert Schuffert


• 6:00 pm Friday hikes sign up


• 6:30 pm - 7:15 pm Tony Thomas in Concert


• 7:30 pm The Spiritual Side of Nature with Ken Jenkins


• 7:30 pm Have a Slow Jam with Tony Thomas so bring your own Instrument or simply enjoy and listen!

People were so excited with Wilderness Wildlife this year, some are already booking accommodations for next year. You can use any of the cabin rental discount codes next year too!

Wilderness wildlife week Schedule for day 4 and Appalachiafest

More than halfway through Wilderness Wildlife Week the classes and hiking trips are still top notch and Tuesdays schedule is non stop education and fun.

Seminar registration will be open in the front lobby from 7:00 am - 7:30 pm and the Photo Exhibit and Textiles of the Smokies Exhibit will be open from 9:00 am - 6:00 pm.

• 9:00 am - 9:45 am Woodpeckers Nature's Home Builder's by Regina Garr


• 9:00 am - 10:00 am What's in the Camera Bag? Presented by Andrea Sheatly


• 10:00 am - 11:00 am Returning the Osprey to the Nest in Tennessee by Ken Dubke


• 10:00 am - 11:30 am Mr. Herb Clabo - The Great Smoky Mountains - My Backyard with Veta King


• 10:30 am - 11:30 am The Art of Dowsing: Do you have the gift? By Charlie Monday (Pre-registration is required and is limited to 30 participants)


• 10:30 am - Noon True Grit "Appalachian Style, People of the Blue Ridge and Toe River Valley" with Kathy Gwinn


• 10:30 am - Noon Cades Cove Memories: Former Cades Cove residents share their stories: Moderated by Ruth Caughron Davis


• 11:30 am - Noon A Tribute to Mr. Herb Clabo A Smoky Mountain Treasure Moderated by Veta King


• 1:00 pm - 1:45 pm Current Fisheries and Aquatic Issues for the Great Smoky Mountains and Abroad presented by Matt Kulp


• 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm The Back of Beyond- Horace Kephart in the Smoky Mountains presented by Arthur McDade


• 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm Happy Birthday Ole Smoky! Mountain folks tell their greatest Smoky Mountain Memories on the "big screen"! with Veta King and Ruth Miller


• 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm Jim Thompson: Smoky Mountain Photographer with Ed Thompson, Jr.


• 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm Let's Sketch A Bird - Advanced Sketching with Louise Bales (Pre-registration is required and is limited to 20 participants)


• 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm Air Quality Update for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park presented by Jim Renfro


• 2:15 pm - 3:15 pm Appalachian People and their Herbs with W.C. and Glenna Julian and Donna Stinett


• 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm Old Time Mountain Music Concert performed by the Boogertown Gap Band


• 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Tell Your Own Smoky Mountain Story: Audience members to share their own Smoky Mountain tales with Veta King


• 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm Great Smoky Mountains National Park: State of the Park presented by public information officer Bob Miller


• 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm Wild About Turkeys with Allen Ricks


• 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm Kids Track: Learn About Bears through Activities for Kids presented by Anne Allison and Kathy Sherrard (Pre-registration is required and is limited to 20 participants)


• 3:45 pm - 4:45 pm "Hypothermia-I'm Not Cold" with Lee Lewis


• 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm Civil War Period Music by Tony Thomas


• 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm Old Harp Shaped Note Singing: East Tennessee shaped note singers perform traditional hymns that were used in old time singing schools around the Great Smoky mountains region. The "do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti-do" singing tradition has been kept alive in this area by a group of singers who attend Old Harp Singings in Blount, Sevier and Knox Counties. Conducted by Mr. David Sarten


• 4:45 pm - 5:45 pm The Meigs Post and the Meigs Line Through the Smokies Stories from their new book by Joe Kelley and Dwight McCarter


• 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm Black Bear Management in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with Bill Stiver


• 6:15 pm Sign up for Thursday Hikes

Night program is called Appalachiafest - A Musical Celebration of our Heritage! and will be held at the Country Tonite Theater in Pigeon Forge, TN. Proceeds of Appalachiafest will benefit the Friends of the Smokies and Public Radio WDVX. Tickets for adults cost $15 and children 17 and under only $5.

• 7:00 pm - 7:30 pm the Boogertown Gap Band will perform in the theatre lobby
• 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm Main Stage Concert Featuring Tim O'Brien, Dirk Powell and Riley Baugus

If you become a member of Friends of the Smokies and help supoort the park, you get a 10% discount of cabin rentals when you use the discount code TFOTS10!

Wilderness Wildlife Week day 3 Schedule in Pigeon Forge Tennessee

Day 2 Wilderness Wildlife Week in Pigeon Forge was just as busy and exciting as the opening day. Fantastic lectures, classes, hikes and demonstrations and I picked up some real bargains in the exhibit area!

So much going on and anyone interested in Nature, photography, music, history and art should be here. The following exciting schedule of classes and lectures is for Monday day 3 of the Wildlife Wilderness Week Winterfest Celebration:

• 8:30 am - 9:30 am Green Power Switch environmental discussions by Lucas Harkleroad


• 8:45 am - 9:45 am Introduction to the Old Time Banjo with Tony Thomas


• 9:00 am - 10:00 am The Art of Dowsing: Do You Have the Gift? Presented by Charlie Monday (Pre-registration is required and is limited to 30 participants)


• 9:00 am - 10:00 am Are We Losing Our Native Forests? Discussion by Kristine Johnson


• 9:30 am - 10:30 am Black Bears 101: Their Lives and Interactions with Humans Presented by Anne Allison and Kathy Sherrard


• 9:45 am - 10:45 am Appalachian Bear Rescue: Giving Bears a Second Chance by Lisa Stewart


• 10:00 am - 11:00 am Bears, Boars, Wolves and More with Joel and Kathy Zachry


• 10:30 - 11:30 am Elk in the Smokies! The Future by Kim Delozier


• 11:00 am - Noon Introduction to Close Up and Macro Photography with Andrea Shetley


• 11:00 am - Noon "Red Rock Country" presented by Bob and Gloria Epperson


• 11:00 am - Noon Kids Track: Wild World of Animals presented by the Knoxville Zoo


• 11:30 am - 12:30 pm "This Ain't No Ordinary Place": Early Taverns, Turnpikes and Trails in the Mountains with Kathy Gwinn


• 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Introduction to the Acoustic Guitar with Tony Thomas


• 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Exploring the Wilderness of the Great Smoky Mountains with Tom Harrington


• 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm "What's in Your Pack?" with Lee Lewis


• 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm Leaving No Trace in the Smokies by Babette Collavo


• 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Close Up and Macro Photography Workshop by Andrea Shetley (Pre-registration is required and is limited to 15 participants)


• 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm Wild Ones Among Us with Lynne McCoy


• 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm The Art of Dowsing: Do You Have the Gift? By Charlie Monday (Pre-registration is required and is limited to 30 participants)


• 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm Hills, Hollers and Harmonies: Music of the Great Smoky Mountains with Lisa Free


• 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Ranger Recollections of the Great Smokies and Blue Ridge Parkway


• 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Kids Track: Hug-A-Tree and Survive for Kids with Joey Holt


• 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm Identifying Local Birds of Prey presented by Stephen Lyn Bales


• 3:45 pm - 4:45 pm Wild Flowers of the Southern Highlands by Jack Carman


• 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm New Knee's for Old Hikers by Joel and Kathy Zachry


• 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm State Highpointing: What is it and Why Would Anyone Want to Do it? Presented by Bill and Rosemary Deitzer and Jean Trousdale


• 4:45 pm - 5:45 pm Shooting the Camera: Photography for Beginners of All Ages by Jim Eastin


• 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm The Spirits of Cades Cove with Mike Meldrum


• 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm Are You an Indian? By Lloyd Arneach


• 6:00 pm - 6:45 pm Mountain Ballads-Story-Songs Boogertown Gap Band


• 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm Ground Hogology and Marmotabilia presented by Doug Elliott


• 6:30 pm Sign ups for Wednesday hikes


• 6:30 pm Slow Jam with Tony Thomas you can Bring Your Own Instrument or simply enjoy and listen!


• 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Heaven and Nature Sing with Ken Jenkins and Judy Felts

If you are not already here in the Smokies there are a few more days of Wilderness Wildlife Week left and some cheap cabin rentals still left!

Schedule for day 2 of the Wilderness wildlife week in Pigeon Forge Tennessee

Wilderness wildlife week continues in Pigeon Forge Tennessee with a bunch of exciting classes demonstrations and hiking trips in the Great Smoky mountains national park (prior registration required for hikes).

The Information and Seminar Registration Table open to the Public at the Music Road Hotel Convention Center Lobby from 7:00 am – 8:30 pm and the the photo exhibit and textiles of the Smokies display will be available for viewing from 9:00 am – 6:00 pm.

• 8:00 am – 10:00 am Stream Fishing for World Class Small Mouth Bass with Greg Ward


• 9:00 am – 9:45 am Musical Sunday Morning Sing-Along with Tony Thomas


• 9:00 am – 10:00 am Gently Touch the Earth with Tom Cory and Pat Cory


• 9:00 am – 11:00 am Photoshop for Nature Photographers with Bart Baldwin, Cesar Palacio and David Hartfield


• 9:30 am – 11:30 am Crating Digital Slideshows: Pro Show and Other Approaches with a Shetley


• 10:15 am – 11:45 am Natural History in the Tennessee Valley by Stephen Lyn Bales


• 10:30 am – 11:30 am the Wildflowers of Tennessee with Jack Carman


• 10:30 am – 11:30 am Oh! Possum by Lynne McCoy


• 11:15 am – 12:15 pm Musical Introduction to the Mandolin with Tony Thomas


• 12:45 pm – 1:45 pm The Seasons of the Black Bear by Mike Meldrum


• 1:00 pm – 1:45 pm The Outdoors, the Large Family and a Shoe String Budget by Scott Rogers


• 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Sail on Honey Bee: Adventures in the Bee Yard by Doug Elliott


• 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm Fishing Area Lakes in the Smoky Mountains with Greg Ward


• 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm Rehabilitation of Birds of Prey presented by Clinch River Raptor Center


• 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm Kids Track: Learn About Bears through Activities for Kids Anne Allison and Kathy Sherrard (pre-registration is required and is limited to only 20 participants)


• 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm The Rock Formations of the Smokies by Harry Moore


• 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm Kids Track Critters 2 You: Live Animal Show with Rick Rakestraw


• 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm The Serpent Handlers presented by Fred Brown


• 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm Kids Track: Those Ain't Teddy Bears in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with Mike Meldrum (Pre-registration is required and is limited to only 8 participants)


• 3:15 pm – 4:15 pm Lecture on The History of Mt. LeConte Lodge by F. Carroll McMahan


• 3:15 pm – 4:15 pm Whistle Over the Mountains with Bill Hooks and Jim Thurston


• 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm The Grand Ole Opry Days in the Smokies by Bob and Sharon Brittle


• 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Everybody's Fishin'- A Cross-Cultural Fishing Extravaganza with Doug Elliott


• 4:15 pm – 5:15 pm Discovering October Roads presented by Fred Brown and Harry Moore


• 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Native American Stories by Lloyd Arneach


• 5:00 pm Hiking trip signups for Tuesday


• 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm Slide presentation: Where is the Wonder? By Ken Jenkins


• 6:45 pm – 7:45 pm Birth of a National Park by Charles Maynard


• 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm A Foot in the Smokies-35 Years of Backpacking with Joel and Kathy Zachry


• 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm The Cades Cove Bloomery Hammer 1817 to 2007 Lost and Found presented Dwight McCarter

Wilderness Week in Pigeon Forge Tennessee

Wilderness Week kicks off tomorrow Saturday, January 10th in Pigeon Forge. For the 19th year Wilderness week is one of the highlights for many of the Winterfest in the Smoky Mountains celebration.

Whether you enjoy nature, history, photography, music or arts and crafts by actively participating or just watching or listing to one of the experts in a classroom situation, or out in the field - Wilderness Week is for you.

While the guided hikes don't begin until Sunday, classes and registration for hiking trips begin tomorrow morning.

In the lobby of the Music Road Hotel Convention Center you can register for the Sunday guided hikes at 11:30 am and class registration and well as get information on any of the Wilderness Week activities go on all day from 7:00 am up until 10:30 pm. There is also photo exhibit going all day Saturday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

The following is a list of Wilderness Week class, demonstrations and hands on activities for Saturday taking place at Music Road Hotel Convention Center:

• 8:00 am - 10:00 am Fishing in the Smokies by Greg Ward


• 8:00 am - 11:00 am Using Map and Compass by Terry and Lavalla Edgington. Class is limited to 50 participants and pre-registration is required.


• 9:00 am - 1:00 pm Nature Photography Workshop by Tom and Pat Cory, Harold Stinnette and Kendall Chiles.


• 9:00 am - 10:00 am Seminar on Photoshop for Nature Photographers by Bart Baldwin, Cesar Palacio and David Hartfield


• 9:00 am - 10:30 am The Art of Photography: An Image Critique for Artistic Enhancement by Ron Plasencia and Pat Gordy


• 10:30 am - 11:30 am Cherokee Stories of the Great Smoky Mountains by Lloyd Arneach


• 10:30 am - 11:30 am Kids Track: Critters 2 You: Live Animal Show with Rick Rakestraw


• Noon - 1:00 pm Margaret Stevenson - A Smokies Trailblazing Icon by Bill and Rosemary Deitzer


• 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Through the Double Lenses: 3-D Travel Adventures with Lee Pratt and Andrea Shetley


• 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm Panthers in the Southern Appalachians by Dr. Don Linzey


• 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm Early Songs in the Smoky Mountains with Bob and Sharon Brittle


• 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm Civil War in the Mountains by Christine Tipton


• 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm Seasons of the Smokies with Bob and Gloria Epperson


• 2:45 pm - 3:45 pm Learn to Play Harmonica in the Key of C with Tony Thomas


• 2:45 pm - 3:45 pm Building Professional Grade Slideshows with Dale Knight


• 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Uncle Lem Ownby by F. Carroll McMahan


• 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Kids Track: Animal Olympics with Ann Schlichting


• 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm Fly Casting with Greg Ward


• 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm Close Up and Macro Photography Workshop with Andrea Shetley (pre-registration is required as the class is limited to 15 participants)


• 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Hills-N-Hollows Presents "As For Me and Papaw We Believe" With Mike and Kathy Gwinn


• 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Photoshop Boot Camp for Nature Photographers with Bart Baldwin, Cesar Palacio and David Hartfield


• 4:15 pm - 5:15 pm Monday Hike Sign Ups


• 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm Wild Flowers of the Smokies by Jack Carman


• 5:15 pm - 7:15 pm Beginning Dulcimer 101 with Ginny Cliett, Deby Libby and Linda Smith


• 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Woodslore and Wildwoods Wisdom by Doug Elliott


• 7:00 pm - 7:45 pm Wilderness Wildlife Week Opening Remarks by Terry Maddox, Executive Director of Great Smoky Mountains Association, Jim Hart, Executive Director of Friends of GSMNP, Dale Ditmanson, Superintendent GSMNP and Ken Jenkins - Photographer


• 7:45 am - 8:45 pm The Heartland Series 25th Anniversary Celebration with Bill Landry


• 8:45 pm Amazing Grace Slide Presentation by Don McGowan

We suggest based upon how the weather is iffy this time of year and you could get snowed into your cabin that you consider renting a chalet in the Riverpoint Community way down in the Pigeon Forge Valley less than 3 minutes from the convention center.

What to expect in the Smoky Mountains during January

One of the best times to come to the Smokies is in January. Most people who come to vacation in the Smoky Mountains have been here at least once before and often they are looking to come here and enjoy one of the seasons when they have not been here before and January is one of the favorites of the locals.

January in the Smoky Mountains is unpredictable when it comes to the weather, but you can be guaranteed that you will have a great time, find off season prices everywhere including cabin and chalet rental rates and no crowds!

Stay here long enough in January and you can be pretty well assured you will see snow in the highest elevations of the Great Smoky Mountains national park.

The weather in Smoky Mountains during January changes day to day for example last weekend it was almost 70 degrees in Gatlinburg and today we are expecting up to 6 inches of snow!

When it does snow during January in the Smokies, it almost never sticks around for more than a few hours in the lower elevations but the upper elevations in the Great Smoky Mountains national park can see snow stay for days or even weeks.

Of course outdoor water parks in the Smokies are closed during the winter and you will find some other attractions close down as it is so quiet here in January but don't despair - there is still plenty to do!

During January you will find that Winterfest is still going on strong. Winterfest takes place in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville and starts in November as a holiday celebration with events and millions of holiday lights decorating the Smokies and turning the area into a winter wonderland.

During January one of the most popular events of Winterfest takes place called Wilderness Wildlife Week and this year marks the 19th anniversary of Wilderness Wildlife Week.

Wilderness Wildlife Week is based out of Pigeon Forge and has guided hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains national park, wildlife classes and lectures, photography classes and exhibits, historical lectures and demonstrations and musical performances and so much more.

Spending time during January in the Great Smoky Mountains national park is a fantastic time to get away from it all and enjoy the peace and quiet and the beauty of the Smokies.

In January the wildlife in the Smokies can be a little harder to find as snakes, spiders and mosquitoes are not around and active in the cold. The black bears are also in their quiet hibernation mode and almost impossible to see as they are almost never active.

Take a tour of Cades Cove by car or bike and you will see that not only is there almost no traffic, the deer are everywhere and the male deer called bucks are sporting their antlers from the December rut.

In the Cataloochee valley section of the national park you will be able to see our North American Elk that have been reintroduced in the park which are an awesome site to behold.

Look carefully all around the park and you should be able to see coyote in the hour or so after sunrise or before sunset and if you are really lucky, red or grey fox as well.

If there is a dusting of snow on the ground you usually don't have to look too hard or go too far to find tracks of deer, rabbit, squirrel fox and coyote.

What to get away from it all and take a hike in the Smokies and see awesome views. Drive up US 441 to Newfound Gap and park at the Newfound Gap parking area and walk up the Clingmans Dome Road which closes December 1st. Walk a few hundred yards or walk the whole 7 miles up to the Clingmans Dome Observation Tower and look out at the 360 degree view of the Smokies - breathtaking!

Make sure if you walk up Clingmans Dome road to check out the walls of ice that form white and transparent curtains that glistens in the sunlight - a perfect backdrop to the evergreen trees above.

Came back after enjoying a great day outside in the fresh air of the Smoky Mountains to a delicious hot meal in of the hundreds of restaurants in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg for some good southern cooking, delicious steaks are any type of food you can imagine.

January is a great time to enjoy the Smokies and avoid the crowds, enjoy the winter beauty and get great off season rates on cabins and chalets for rent in the Smokies!

How great are the rental rates for an extended stay in the Smokies? How about cabin rentals for less than $100 a night in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee!

Winterfest in the Smokies is still going on strong

Even though Christmas and New Years are over and it reached into the upper 60s today in parts of Gatlinburg, Winterfest is still going on strong in the Smoky Mountains!

Hurry up and come to the Smokies if you want to see fabulous Winterfest holiday decorations and more than 5,000,000 holiday lights spread throughout Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville Tennessee.

A quick tour of the best places to still see the Winterfest lights is along the 66 and the Parkway from Sevierville to Pigeon Forge and on Teaster Lane in Pigeon Forge.

The absolute best display of Winterfest lights in Pigeon Forge is behind the Old Mill at Patriot Park. Here you will find a tribute to all of those who are serving or who have served in the armed forces. Park your car and walk around in the park as there are too many Winterfest Christmas light displays to be seen from the car!

In Gatlinburg the best Winterfest lights are along 441 all the way to the Spur and all along 321 to the end of the city limits by the artist community.

Of course along with the official Winterfest decorations there are many homes and businesses decked to the halls with the wonderment of holiday lights that can take your breath away. The artist community on Glades Road in Gatlinburg and the Christmas Place on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge put on the best private displays.

With so much to see and do in the Smokies, come here as late as February and you can enjoy the Winterfest celebration - we'll leave the lights on for you - all 5 million of them!

While it is great to see so many beautiful Christmas lights and displays all around the Smokies, make your visit to the Smoky Mountains even more exciting and beautiful by staying in a cabin that is all decorated for the season! Decorated cabins have Christmas lights, a least 1 Christmas tree and more!

So light a fire in the fireplace, hang your stockings and enjoy your Christmas season in the Smokies by calling (800)508-6070 and rent a cabin decorated for Christmas in the Smokies!