Smokies Life has announced its August through November 2026 schedule of Branch Out events, offering 12 unique opportunities to explore, learn and connect with Great Smoky Mountains National Park. From hands-on workshops and guided hikes to wildlife encounters and cultural storytelling, Branch Out programs invite participants to experience the Smokies through the eyes of expert naturalists, artists and historians.
Membership in Smokies Life, a nonprofit partner of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is required to attend; annual Park Keeper memberships start at $40. Today, more than 29,000 Park Keepers help Smokies Life support the perpetual preservation of Great Smoky Mountains National Park by funding efforts that foster greater public understanding and appreciation through education, interpretation and research.
Discover one of the Smokies’ most fascinating residents during “Sensational Salamanders,” from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Aug. 18, where participants will search for and identify amphibians at various locations throughout the park while learning about their habitats, diets and role in the park’s ecosystem.
Looking to learn more about the Smokies with an online session from home? The Wildlife Tracking Webinar on Aug. 24 teaches participants to identify animal tracks and uncover the stories they tell.
Cost for Branch Out events: for Park Keepers, $45; to join and attend, $85 (Park Keeper basic membership $40 + event registration $45).
For more info, see smokieslife.org/branch-out-events or email membership@smokieslife.org.