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TOURS

GSMNP Wildlife
Luxury SUV
Private &
Customized for You

SOUND ON!

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Chadd Drott, owner and operator of Chadd's Walking with Wildlife

Thank you for taking an interest in wildlife tours with Chadd’s Walking With Wildlife, the premier wildlife tour company for Great Smoky Mountains National Park!

 

Chadd’s Walking With Wildlife tours focus on the wildlife.  We offer full day and half day tours that start and end in Gatlinburg (and we do offer pick-ups as well in Pigeon Forge and Sevierville).  With one of the most knowledgeable guides and naturalists in the U.S., this wildlife tour is like no other in the Smoky Mountain region. It offers more than just wildlife education. We will also discuss geology, climatology, and botany, as well as the history of the area. We will make plenty of stops to photograph wildlife and the beautiful scenic views throughout the tour. No two tours will be the same as there is so much that this park has to offer. 

 

During the fall and winter tours, we will convene before the tour on the best opportunities to see wildlife.  After we develop the plan, we could spend the morning hours going one of three ways such as exploring Newfound Gap Road or other scenic areas. We will stop in Cherokee, NC for you to grab lunch and a walk around town for 1-2 hours, depending on the group's interest. We will spend the afternoon and early evening making our way back over Newfound Gap to Gatlinburg.

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We do our best to cater to our clients. Feel free to let us know how we can make your tour truly memorable. From all of us here at Chadd’s Walking With Wildlife... we truly hope to see you in the park!

 

Private Tours Pricing: October - February

Private tour locations are dependent on road status

Private tours consist of half-day 3-4 hours or a full day 7-8 hours.
Private tours may have 1-6 people. Tour is subject to cancellation due to inclement weather, in which case you will have the option to re-schedule your tour date or receive a full refund.
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Great Smoky Mountain National Park

Private tours are customizable on time. 

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Tour leaves just before sunrise.

 

***Please see "Terms" page under "About" for cancellation policy***

Pricing:

 

October - February:

Full Day Private Tours - 6-7 hours:

$250 per adult / $75 per child

Vehicle seats up to 6, but only 5 adults comfortably

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Half Day Private Tours - 3-4 hours:

$150 per adult / $75 per child

Vehicle seats up to 6, but only 5 adults comfortably

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Winter Fest Lights Private Tours - 2 hours:

$100 per adult / $75 per child

Vehicle seats up to 6, but only 5 adults comfortably

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Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance. Children must be accompanied with an adult at all times.

Call to Schedule and Pay
for Your Private Tour
Chadd Drott: 970-309-3664

PLEASE NOTE: Gratuity is not included in the price, but is ALWAYS appreciated! The national average is 20% of the total cost. 

Private Photography Tours Pricing (Year Round)

Private photography tour locations are dependent on road status

Private photography tours consist of 4 hours but have the option of 8 hours.
Private photography tours may have 1-5 people. Tour is subject to cancellation due to inclement weather, in which case you will have the option to re-schedule your tour date or receive a full refund.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Private photography tours come with two options: a sunrise or sunset option. There is also the option to run both.

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Tour leaves 30 minutes before sunrise. And/or 4 1/2 hours before sunset.

 

***Please see "Terms" page under "About" for cancellation policy***

Call to Schedule and Pay for

Your Private Photography Tour

Chadd Drott: 970-309-3664

PLEASE NOTE: Gratuity is not included in the price, but is ALWAYS appreciated! The national average is 20% of the total cost. 

Pricing: 

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Private Photography Tours: $1,000/per person 4 hours/sunrise OR sunset.

Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance.

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Children 10-17 learning to shoot are free, but must be accompanied with an adult at all times.

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1/2 price second shoot of the day. Add the other Twilight: $500/per person.

Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance.

 

Children 10-17 learning to shoot are free, but must be accompanied with an adult at all times.

Available Discounts:

Active Military, Fire, & Police

Includes Party

20%

Need to bring current ID to show proof of service to receive discount

25%

ALL returning guests!

***Must pay in full. Once proof of service/ID is provided in person on the day of your tour, your discount will be applied to your PayPal account.***

Need to bring teacher badge/ID to receive discount

 

WHAT TO BRING ON YOUR WINTER TOUR

  • SNACKS

  • WATER

  • SUNSCREEN

  • WARM WINTER JACKET

  • LAYERS OF CLOTHING

  • CAMERA

  • BINOCULARS

  • MEDICATION 

  • TOILET PAPER/WET WIPES

WHAT TYPE OF WILDLIFE YOU MAY SEE ON THE TOUR

THERE ARE MORE THAN 500 CONFIRMED SPECIES OF WILDLIFE THAT VISITS OR LIVES IN THE PARK.

HERE IS A SHORT LIST OF SOME SPECIES WE MAY BE LUCKY ENOUGH TO FIND.

  • ​​​NORTH AMERICAN RIVER OTTER

  • WHITETAIL DEER

  • ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK

  • AMERICAN BLACK BEAR

  • BOBCAT

  • COUGAR

  • COYOTE

  • RACCOON

  • AMERICAN BEAVER

  • GROUNDHOG

  • RED FOX

  • RED SQUIRREL

  • LEAST CHIPMUNK

  • RED-TAILED HAWK

  • OSPREY

  • BALD EAGLE

  • WILD TURKEY

  • CAROLINA CHICKADEE

  • GREAT HORNED OWL

  • MALLARD

  • CANADA GOOSE

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"The cougar is one of the most elusive species in the lower 48. Although fairly common in its northern range, it is extremely rare in the Smoky Mountains. Listed as a species found in the park, I am making it my SPECIES TO FIND!!! 

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If we find a cougar and get photographic evidence for the park, I will refund everyone's tour in full that day!!! 

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Good luck to all! And may the odds forever be in our favor..."

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                                                     ~Chadd

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