One of the most biodiverse places in the world; the Smoky Mountains have everything and more to offer. Some bears in the park have even been documented to weigh over 600 pounds! Bears in the park are wild and their behavior can be unpredictable. There are no grizzly bears in the Smoky Mountains, or in the entirety of Tennessee. Of course it most likely would never come to this as bears as long as you follow these basic guidelines for bear encounters, but maybe better safe than sorry? Not only could bear's food source of acorns be affected, but some of the prime denning spots in old growth trees may be lost. The top of the bald itself is a grassy meadow stretching over 10 acres; in early summer it fills with a riot of Azalea blooms. Source: @carlosfineartphoto Bears inhabit all elevations of the park. Since Cades Cove features a stunning mountain backdrop and wide open valleys, many bears enjoy this beautiful space in the park. It is thought that around 1,500 bears live in the park, this is roughly two bears per square mile.Source: @carlosfineartphoto, It is not uncommon to see a black bear during a visit to the Smoky Mountains, especially during the early morning and late evening hours in spring and summer.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'smokymtnopry_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_10',163,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-medrectangle-3-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'smokymtnopry_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_11',163,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-medrectangle-3-0_1');.medrectangle-3-multi-163{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:50px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. They are omnivores and eat things like fish, nuts, berries, and plants. [NPS]. The landscape stretches over 500,000 acres between the States of Tennessee and North Carolina.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smokymtnopry_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_3',163,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-medrectangle-3-0'); The Great Smokies National Park forms the largest wilderness making the area one of the crown jewels of the ecosystem, east of the Mississippi River. Whenever bears come into our minds, they represent a creature that humans fear. A Guide to the Road to Nowhere, Smoky Mountains. Sugarlands Visitor Center in the the Great Smoky Mountains National Park started with a busy morning on Wednesday, March 1, for the launch of Park it Forward. Cades Cove Visitor Center: 686 Cades Cove Loop Road, Townsend, TN 37882. Black bears can live anywhere from 12-15 years. Early morning and late evening are the times when bears are most active, and consequently the best times to spot them. , Throw non-food objects like rocks or sticks. 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. They may leave the den for short periods if disturbed or during brief warming trends. As a precaution, you can also carry bear pepper spray for your protection, but be sure not to mishandle it. Dens are usually hollow stumps, tree cavities, or wherever there is shelter. Are There Mountain Lions in the Smoky Mountains? I think if you are sensible about bear encounters, keep your distance, and follow the guidelines in the link above, it is not something you would ever have to seriously worry about. Bears attacks are usually caused by food, as they can get very hungry and desperate for food. Cades Cove. This means that bear sightings in the park are not uncommon, especially during the early morning and late evening hours in . The American black bear might as well be the mascot of the Smoky Mountains! While this might seem obvious, a visit to Cades Cove or the Cherokee Orchard area will quickly prove that our visitors are guilty of this countless times every year. Top 4 Places to See Bears in the Smoky Mountains Date: March 28, 2022 Many visitors to Great Smoky Mountains National Park hope to catch at least one glimpse of the park's famous black bear! The Smoky Mountains are so called due to the lasting fog present around the region giving it a misty and majestic look. Another one of the top places to see bears in the Smoky Mountains is along Newfound Gap Road, which is also known as Highway 441. The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a beautiful 5.5 mile one-way loop road that starts and ends in Gatlinburg, making it convenient for those who want to make a quick side trip from downtown Gatlinburg! Even by taking all the right precautions, you could still encounter a bear in the Smokies. Join Outside+ to get access to exclusive content, 1,000s of training plans, and more. 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. It changes the bear's behavior and causes them to lose their instinctive fear of humans. It is illegal to get closer than 50 yards to any bear in the national park. Bears who lack fear of humans have shorter life spans and become easy targets for poachers. 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. If you're with a group, use your strength in numbers to increase your visual size; avoid looking like prey. In fact, it's so uncommon that it can be difficult to find many statistics on the subject. Past the campsite the trail starts climbing, gaining 2,000 feet in only 3 miles. If a bear starts pursuing you, consider throwing an item like a camera or purse away from you. A Grand View Lodge #540. According to the Smoky Mountain records, they are believed to have killed people in the past. How Many Days Should You Stay in Gatlinburg, TN? Great Smoky Mountains National Park NC, TN Black Bear Management This orphaned bear cub from the Smokies gets another chance with a foster bear at Virginia Tech. There is only one species of bear found in Tennessee, and that is the black bear. In 2020, WKRN reported that at least 40 incidents occurred relating to bears attacking humans. With over 1,500 bears throughout the national park, they are by far one of the most popular animals in the area. The Red Fox and the Gray Fox live in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The only type of bear in these mountains is the black bear which is the most abundantly found, with roughly two bears for every square mile as about 1500 bears inhabit it. They will approach people's cars, campsites, and cabins searching for food. Do not approach bears or allow them to approach you! 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. The Red Fox is a solitary animal typically hunting alone. They live in social units mostly a mother and her young ones until they mature. They grow up to 36 inches in length and have a copious body.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smokymtnopry_com-leader-2','ezslot_11',170,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-leader-2-0'); Generally, copperheads live on rocky, woody hillsides; they like to hide under leaf litter or large moist rocks in the Smoky Mountains. You can spot them anywhere in the Smokies. If you do a bit of exploring you are likely to see one. Photo: Saw a Bear! by cletch is licensed under CC BY 2.0, Photo: Hannah Cabin, Little Cataloochee, NC by w_lemay is marked with CC0 1.0, Photo: File:Gregory-bald-fp1.jpg by Brian Stansberry is licensed under CC BY 2.5, Its hard to say whos more excited about the blueberries crowding this peak every August, the hikers or the bears. Want to get listed and grow your business? Eastern Cougars are large, brown or gray cats weighing approximately 140 pounds, and stand between 5-8 Ft. tall as adults. They may be six feet in length and up to three feet high at the shoulder. Do not run away from black bears as this may trigger a chase response. Stay safe in black bear country! Plant materials such as berries and nuts make up approximately 85% of their diet. Best Camping in The Great Smoky Mountains, Bears in Smoky Mountains: The Kind, Places to See & Tips, 10 Best Camping in The Great Smoky Mountains 2023, 7 Best Horseback Riding in Smoky Mountains (2023 Update), Will Ghost Town in the Sky Reopen? Don't run and don't turn away from the bear. While bears can be found throughout Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cades Cove is one of the best places to spot them due to its wide, open valley. You can watch them in Cades Cove or Cataloochee in the Smoky Mountains in the meadows near forests. How Common are Bear Attacks in Smoky Mountains? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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 many cases, a startled bear is an aggressive bear. Its easy to spot one in the Smokies due to their colorful red hue and fluffy tail. Its common knowledge that black bears can be seen all over Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains National Park, we were excited to see one right out in the creek outside of our hotel room. However, in the fall, their weight almost doubles. Cades Cove is one of the best places for bear-spotting in the park, but most visitors only see it from the road, slogging through slow-moving lines of cars full of tourists. If you see a bear before it sees you, don't approach. Gatlinburg With the Great Smoky Mountains National Park CSGM Theme by carodactyll | Digital Marketing by YlliB, Inc. By continuing to use our website, you are accepting the use of cookies. Commonly known as Bucks in the region, they grow uneven horns every spring; used to fight other deers for mating rights by fall. " The black bear is the symbol of the Smokies ," says wildlife biologist Bill Stiver. 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. Sign up for Outside+ today. If you spot one while hiking in the Park, stay away or back away slowly and calmly to avoid a wild chase. While seeing these creatures is never guaranteed, there are places where you are more likely to see them. There are around 1500-1600 black bears living in the Smoky Mountains National Park. Grizzly bears can only be found in a few states in the US, including Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Although bear attacks on humans are rare, they can happen. Bears are most active during early morning and late evening hours in spring and summer. Animals ranging from Salamanders to Elks and bobcats flourish in the wild. These three trails are a good place to start. Now I have not raced a bear recently so Ill have to take the internets word for this. Bears can live 12-15 years or more, however bears which have had access to human foods and garbage have a life expectancy of only half that time. They are omnivores. This could result in a person being injured and the bear being euthanized. They also strictly enforce regulations that prohibit approaching, harassing, disturbing or feeding bears. As cute and cuddly as bears may appear, please remember they are wild animals and can be very dangerous when they feel threatened. Bobcats have spotted coats, short ears, and stubby tails. 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. Browse cabins with pet friendly policies. 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