Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont

06/12/2026

This is the kind of day they’ll remember forever.

It’s not too late to sign up for summer camp in the Smokies. Thanks to some recent cancellations, a few of our most popular camps have openings! Learn more at gsmit.org/summer-youth.

06/11/2026

Spotted in the Park: Summer Azure! 🦋

These delicate blue butterflies appear in the Smokies in summer and can be seen into early fall. Look for them in moist areas near streams and creeks, where they often gather minerals and nutrients from damp soil.

Joy, Tremont’s new Summer Science Communications Specialist, arrived this summer having never visited Great Smoky Mountains National Park before – and now she’s living here full-time! As she explores her new home, she’ll pop in to share what she’s learning along the way.

06/09/2026

It's official... Summer camp is in session!

06/08/2026

Missed out when registration filled for Tremont’s popular summer camps? Thanks to a few recent cancellations, several sold-out camps are accepting registrations again.

Whether your child dreams of spotting Smokies critters, becoming a true backcountry explorer, or swimming in crisp mountain streams, we’ve got something for everyone ages 4 and up! These openings are limited and likely won't last long, so now is a great time to take a second look at summer in the Smokies.

Sign up at gsmit.org/summer-youth.

06/05/2026

Oh, you thought snakes stayed on the ground?

Rat snakes are skilled climbers, using their body muscles and belly scales to grip bark as they move up trees, often in search of prey like birds, eggs, and small mammals.

This one paused just long enough to judge the camera angle.

📸: Thanks to Kimberly for catching this moment on camera!

05/30/2026

We're preparing for an exciting summer season in the Smokies, and you're invited to join the fun. Check out what's coming up at Tremont in our latest eNews: https://ow.ly/RPCF50Z5MTo

📸: Courtesy of Andrew Gunnoe and Maryville College, taken during Great Smokies Experience.

05/29/2026

A tiny turtle starting a big adventure...

This eastern box turtle is likely less than a year old, but if it's lucky, it could still be wandering the Smokies when today's elementary school students are grandparents.

Eastern box turtles can live for 50 years or more, and many spend their entire lives within just a few acres of land. They learn where to find food, water, shelter, and places to overwinter, developing a deep familiarity with their home territory.

That's why, if you find a box turtle, the best thing you can do is leave it where it is (or, if it's crossing a road, move it safely to the side it was already heading toward). Relocating a turtle to a "better" spot can actually make it harder for the animal to survive.

For now, though, this tiny traveler seems focused on the important work of being a turtle. Happy trails, little buddy!

📸: Our manager of science literacy and research, Tyler!

05/27/2026

Good news for families still planning their summer adventures: a few spots just opened for Discovery Camp, one of Tremont’s most popular summer programs. This camp has been full for months and is likely to fill again, so take advantage of this rare opportunity!

Available dates: June 8-13 and June 22-27
Ages 9-12

Discovery Camp NATURE EXPLORATION Ages 9-12 Discovery Camp is where kids go to be kids - getting curious, asking questions, exploring new places, and feeling free - all while living inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park and gaining a deeper appreciation for nature. Each day will be full of exci...

05/26/2026

[UPDATE: We're back open! Thanks for your patience!]

Heads up! The trail to Spruce Flats Falls is closed for maintenance on Tuesday, May 26. The Tremont Visitors Center is open - stop by and we'll point you toward another beautiful adventure for your day!

05/16/2026

New class alert! Join us on Saturday, June 6, for Survival Skills!

During this single-day workshop, you'll learn fundamental outdoor survival skills at Tremont’s second campus in Townsend.

June 6 | $90 | Register Now Be among the very first to learn, explore, and connect at Tremont's second campus in Townsend. Seasons of Connection is a limited series of hands-on workshops for adults, led by Tremont's expert educators. Discover new skills, deepen your relationship with