Nature lovers to converge on Pigeon Forge this week

(PIGEON FORGE, Tenn.) SMOKIES.LIVE – One of the most popular events of the year will happen in Pigeon Forge next week. The Wilderness Wildlife Week runs from January 5-8, 2026 at the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge.

Billed as one of the Southeast’s largest gatherings of outdoor experts, it features four days of workshops, seminars, demonstrations, exhibits, guided hikes and bus tours.

Join more than 125 experts to learn more about the Great Smoky Mountains. The complete event schedule and registration is available at www.mypigeonforge.com/event/wilderness-wildlife-week. 

“January brings a slower pace and a distinctly different look to the Great Smoky Mountains, and Pigeon Forge’s Wilderness Wildlife event capitalizes on the winter season to help us all learn more about the Great Smoky Mountains, their diversity and ways to better enjoy our city’s big backyard,” said Leon Downey, executive director of the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism. 

Smoky Mountains Guided Hikes (ranging in difficulty from easy to challenging).

• Cades Cove
• Cataract Falls 
• Sugarlands Cemetery 
• Mount Cammerer
• Hen Wallow Falls 

Excursions & Tours

• American Eagle Foundation
• Appalachian Bear Rescue 
• Cades Cove Museum & Blount County Museum
• Sam Houston Schoolhouse and Museum 

Music—the stories of the Smoky Mountains set to music

• Heaven and Nature Sings presented by Ken Jenkins, Judy Felts and Friends
• Old Songs We Love featuring auto-harpist Brenda Lenz-Dawson
• Tennessee Originals presented by Kathy & Mike Gwinn
• Appalachian Sounds presented on traditional mountain and hammered dulcimers 

History—tracing the roots of Appalachia  

• Early Medical Doctors, Clinics and Hospitals in the Smokies presented by Kathy Gwinn
• Geologic History of the Smokies presented by James Wedekind
• A Tribute to the Cherokee People presented by Kathy Gwinn

Nature Seminars—leading experts spotlight the biodiversity of the Smoky Mountains

• The Appalachian Trail—Hiking the “Green Tunnel” from Georgia to Maine presented by Butch McDade and Brad Knight
• Time Travel Through the Smokies Like a Pro: Fun Park Adventures for the Entire Family presented by Jeff Alt
• My Journey to Hootin’ Holler: A Snuffy Smith Chalk Walk with Cartoonist John Rose
• Discovering Tennessee State Parks presented by J.L. Stepp

Photography Seminars—an exploration of the Great Smoky Mountains through photographs along with expert tips

• What Makes A Good Photograph presented by Douglas Hubbard
• Photography Is Art presented by Chris Rohwer
• Cell phone-ography—Getting the Most from Your Cell Phone Camera presented by photographer, Colby McLemore
• Gupton Wetlands—A Wildlife Treasure presented by Clay Thurston
• Methods for Locating and Photographing Wildlife presented by Travis “Hill” Henry 

Crafts Especially for Children

• Carve a Nature Stamp (ages 11 to 14)
• Salt Painting 
• Make & Write: Natural Inks & Feathered Pens
• Friendship Bracelets 
• Thumbprint Designs 

How-To Workshops (for all ages) 

• Wood burning 
• Pioneer food preservation
• Wildlife bed making
• Gemstone wrapping
• Oil painting 
• Jewelry making 
• Natural ink making 
• Cyanotype printing 
• Paper art 

For more information, a complete schedule and registration details, visit MyPigeonForge.com.