How visitors behave while in the park has an impact on the safety of bears. In addition, bears that venture outside park boundaries into neighboring communities may encounter human food and become unpredictable, dangerous, and a threat to human safety. Therefore, take a look at our tips for safe wildlife viewing in Great Smoky Mountains National Park to have a safe and enjoyable visit to the park! One of the top places to see bears in the Smoky Mountains is at Cades Cove, a broad valley surrounded by mountains that offers some of the best opportunities for wildlife viewing in the national park! They grow to a max weight of 70 pounds and 3 Ft. long. Please use them to dispose of garbage. However, if you are ever attacked you should not play dead. as adults. Bears unafraid to approach humans teach this behavior to other bears and become a threat to the public, which often leads to euthanasia. Dens are usually hollow stumps, tree cavities, or wherever there is shelter. Ive only made this drive a couple of times and havent been in a while but its definitely very neat and if you are a photographer you can get some good pics of nature and your family. The Smokies are also rich in wildlife with over 412 different types of animals residing here. Educational signs about bears can be found on picnic tables throughout the park and bear safety videos are posted on this website. Colonial Properties Logo | Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg Cabin Rentals. (2023 Updated), Gatlinburg SkyBridge: Everything You Need To Know. A bear sighting at the GSMNP makes for a great memory that wont soon be forgotten. Learn more. Watch. The newest attractions opening this year. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the largest protected areas in the eastern United States where black bears can live in wild, natural surroundings. In the rare case where a bear comes towards you, do not run! In the year 2000, the Chicago Tribune reported a woman was killed by a black bear within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, about 10 miles from Gatlinburg. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Black bears love Cades Cove because it has a suitable ecosystem and a variety of food sources. Its easy to spot one in the Smokies due to their colorful red hue and fluffy tail. Spotting a bear in the Smokies can be a wonderful experience, but its important to remember that these majestic creatures can also be dangerous - and we can be dangerous to them. It can really vary based on how available food is but generally black bears will go into hibernation sometime around September October and remain dormant through April. They can climb trees and run 30 miles per hour, making them fantastic hunters if they wanted to be. Its a local saying. The family was asleep in their tent when they awoke at approximately 5:20 a.m. to a bear tearing into their tent. If a bear persistently follows or approaches you, without vocalizing, or paw swatting: If the bear's behavior indicates that it is after your food and you are physically attacked: If the bear shows no interest in your food and you are physically attacked, the bear may consider you as prey: Help protect others, report all bear incidents to a park ranger immediately. Giant bears weigh up to 600pounds and are not easy to find, while the Females weigh around 100 pounds, and the males weigh at approx. Many people think black bears in the Smoky Mountains are carnivores, but they are actually omnivores! But once the critical habitats are destroyed, major declines in bear populations are inevitable. Big Sky Lodge #438. Since the national park is 800 sq. Make your presence known. Here are some tips on what to do if you encourage a black bear in the Smoky Mountains: If a black bear follows or approaches you, without vocalizing or paw swatting: Please dont worry if you do see a bear as attacks are very rare, and deaths are incredibly uncommon! Back away slowly and quietly without disturbing the creature. Black bears double their weight in the fall months. 107 Park Headquarters Road In the backcountry, food storage cables have been installed to make it easier for backpackers to hang their food and garbage so that bears cannot get to it. During the summer months, a typical adult male bear weighs approximately 250 pounds while adult females are generally smaller and weigh slightly over 100 pounds. Allow 2-4 hours time for this excursion, maybe more if you plan on doing a bit of exploring or having a picnic perhaps. It's essential to keep your distance for your own safety, the safety of those around you, and the bear itself. Want to get listed and grow your business? Drove up to a cabin in Gatlinburg TN, Smoky Mountains Park with Sean from YouTube @WeReviewU to see a surprise#gatlinburg #smokymountains #bears Thank you so. At some campsites, telephone poles were flown into remote backcountry areas because the trees around the campsites were too small to set up an effective cable system! According to a range of knowledgeable sources, the best place to see black bears when visiting the Smoky Mountains is in Cades Cove, a spot just a few miles from Gatlinburg and Townsend, Tennessee.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smokymtnopry_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_6',176,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); They generally like to spend time in remote, highly wooded areas. If you love to hike, you might even see black bears along the trails. As cute and cuddly as bears may appear, please remember they are wild animals and can be very dangerous when they feel threatened. The icing on the cake is the presence of over 20,000 different species, which is any nature enthusiasts dream come true. The park is one of the largest protected areas where black bears live in the wild in the eastern United States. Hence, make sure to keep your eyes and ears open to spot them and prevent any accidents when you hike. It is illegal to get closer than 50 yards to any bear in the national park. The National Park Service requires you to always stay 50 yards or 150 feet away from wildlife. With a population density of 2 bears per square mile, it's highly likely you'll run into one of these creatures while you're exploring the Smokies. The Great Smoky Mountains is the largest protected area in the eastern part of the country that has wild black bears. The parks omnivorous black bears eat about 85% fruits and nuts, with meat providing the remaining 15%, which makes berry patches an extremely important resource as they prepare for hibernation. How Common are Bear Attacks in Smoky Mountains? If you're with a group, use your strength in numbers to increase your visual size; avoid looking like prey. Many bears have been spotted along Newfound Gap Road for years, especially in sections that are close to rivers and streams since bears like those areas for food. Wild apples dot the fields of this historic town and the surrounding woods, providing a valuable food source for several different wildlife species, including bears. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the largest protected areas in the east of the United States. Commonly known as Bucks in the region, they grow uneven horns every spring; used to fight other deers for mating rights by fall. Many visitors to Great Smoky Mountains National Park hope to catch at least one glimpse of the parks famous black bear! Do not approach the black bear and dont the bear approach you, Act natural if the bear is at a distance, eating or is walking past you, Dont get too close as this could encourage aggressive behavior, Dont run away from the bear, slowly back away and dont take your eyes off the bear. These bears pose a risk to public safety. Bear Size & Color It has been estimated that about 1,500 bears live in the park, which is equal to a population density of roughly two bears per square mile. The females are much smaller, weighing around only 100-120 lbs. Grizzly bears can only be found in a few states in the US, including Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. The latest gear, trips, stories, and more, beamed to your inbox every week. In the year 2000, the Chicago Tribune reported that a woman was killed by a black bear within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, about 10 miles away from Gatlinburg. If you are a nature lover looking to get a glimpse of the mighty black bear, the best time would be at the crack of dawn or at dusk, when they are the most active. Before their hibernation, they can double their body weight! Poaching activities can be somewhat curtailed, and bear populations can eventually rebound from the losses. If youre one of the latter, Great Smoky Mountains is the place. Do not approach within 50 yards or close enough to disturb the bear. They are omnivores and eat things like fish, nuts, berries, and plants. Coyotes are somewhat timid and afraid of humans at first glance, but can be dangerous if you cozy up to them. Also, you can find Rainbow Falls here which is a really popular waterfall. Cades Cove. The elk population saw a sharp decline between the 80s and 90s but was reintroduced to the Park in 2001. The most recent bear attack in Great Smoky Mountain National Park involved a family of five and their dog camping in the park's Elkmont Campground on June 12. This scenic 33 mile route travels through some of the highest elevations of the national park, so there are plenty of gorgeous mountain overlooks to enjoy too! So on your next trip, be sure to carry binoculars and a camera, keep a safe distance from the bears and you will certainly have the trip of a lifetime! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Always respect bears and give them space. Although extremely rare, attacks on humans have occurred, inflicting serious injuries and death. It is said that bears who have had regular access to human food may only live for half of this time. Others wander in terrestrial environments, including eerie caves in the high mountain forest. This insect defoliates oak trees, weakening them and leaving them susceptible to other insects and diseases which may kill the trees. Although bear attacks on humans are rare, they can happen. Bears have fantastic color vision and an amazing sense of smell. Be sure to give animal plenty of room and continue its activities as if you werent there. If the bear comes toward you, do not run, instead, scream continuously, and throw rocks to scare it away.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'smokymtnopry_com-banner-1','ezslot_6',175,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-banner-1-0'); The black mountain bears hibernate during winter, so its hard to find any around this time. Here are some of the top places to see black bears in the Smoky Mountains. 3. Bears have a keen sense of smell and can be very curious. This charming four-bedroom, five-bathroom cabin has plenty of space for . Bobcats have spotted coats, short ears, and stubby tails. Also Read: Best Time to Visit Smoky Mountains. If your presence causes the bear to change its behavior (stops feeding, changes its travel direction, watches you, etc.) The key to staying safe while staying at your cabins is to keep food and trash outside of your vehicle. Throw non-food objects like rocks or sticks. Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont Store: 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend . Take care of your own safety: Consider carrying bear spray, make noise when passing around blind corners or through thick brush, and observe from a distance. Want to get listed and grow your business? While it is rare, if the bear makes contact with you - fight back. Keep them away from your area by hanging food and other fragranced items (like toothpaste, bug repellent or soap) in trees and out of reach. According to bear.org, black bears hibernate for up to 7.5 months a year. First and foremost the consensus is to stay calm. There are many places because they are literally all over the place. Bears that obtain human food and garbage damage property and injure people. Thank you for visiting! This approach allows bears to remain in their home range, and discourages them from visiting developed areas or approaching people. You are more likely to see them during the spring-summer months at sunrise and after sunset. Here are the top 4 places to see bears in the Smoky Mountains: Cades Cove is one of the most popular destinations in see black bears in the Smoky Mountains, and the area is easily accessible with the 11 mile loop road. One of the most important things to remember if you are lucky enough spot a bear is to keep a safe distance of at least 150 feet (50 yards) and do not approach. Head left at the junction with Crooked Arm Ridge trail at mile .5, keeping an eye out for mountain laurel blooming among the hardwoods. At speeds of 30 mph, black bears can outrun, outclimb, and outswim humans. When it comes to dealing with bears in the Smokies, common sense is key. Learn what to do if you see a bear by watching this short video. They cant be found anywhere near Tennessee or North Carolina where the Smoky Mountains are located. After all, they are pretty much the face of the park and Gatlinburg. But only when provoked. Gatlinburg About 1,500 black bears call the park home, for an average of two bears per square mile. Bears remain a majority of all the mammals present here, most likely seen during the Spring-summer months. There are around 1500-1600 black bears living in the Smoky Mountains National Park. The Chimneys Picnic Area also provides an excellent chance of spotting a bear! They are bears, sure they can be dangerous if provoked or threatened. They feed on mice, small birds, snakes, frogs, and insects. These cats hunt small deers, rabbits, rodents, and birds as prey.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'smokymtnopry_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_9',178,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); Bobcats are solitary animals and prefer to establish their territories and use scents to mark them against prowlers. Black bears can be seen throughout the year except rarely during the winter months. If you are careless with your food or litter, YOU may be responsible for a bear's death! More black bears live within the national park than anywhere else in the country. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the largest protected areas in the eastern United States where black bears can live in wild, natural surroundings. There are hundreds of miles of marked trails in the Great Smoky Mountains; stay on them and be aware of your surroundings. 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