Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Here are some easy tips to remember when hiking, picnicking, camping or visiting The Smoky Mountains. The American black bear might as well be the mascot of the Smoky Mountains! A Grand View Lodge #540. Learn what to do if you see a bear by watching this short video. At one time, the black bear's range included most of North America except the extreme west coast. Bears attacks are usually caused by food, as they can get very hungry and desperate for food. Its an 11 mile loop to circle the cove, you will see many other tourists driving through here in the busy season trying to catch a glimpse of black bears and other wildlife. See winners from every year of the contest. So be careful not to wander too far off your tour group/guide while hiking in the Smoky Mountains. Stay calm. Animals around the Cades Cove include black bears, deer, coyotes and many more. With approximately 1,500 bears in the park, the population density is roughly two bears per square mile! Proceed while continuing to observe the bear. Others wander in terrestrial environments, including eerie caves in the high mountain forest. 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. So dont feed the bears. Dens are usually hollow stumps, tree cavities, or wherever there is shelter. Meadows interspersed through the forest bloom with azalea, ragwort, and butterfly weed, as well as offering a better range of vision for catching a glimpse of an elusive black bear. It's essential to keep your distance for your own safety, the safety of those around you, and the bear itself. 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. The black bear is one of the most popular animals for visitors to spot in Tennessees Smoky Mountains! 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! If you see a bear before it sees you, don't approach. If a bear starts pursuing you, consider throwing an item like a camera or purse away from you. This incredible park is bursting with wildlife, plant life, and exciting adventures to be experienced. Keep an eye out for tracks, scat, digs, and trees that bears have rubbed. you are too close. Make your presence known. They usually keep to themselves, and rarely attack unprovoked, so as long as you maintain a distance and observe with binoculars and cameras, you are set to have an incredible experience without mishaps! Cades Cove is a popular place where many people see black bears. The Smokies are also rich in wildlife with over 412 different types of animals residing here. The black bears of Great Smoky Mountains are unusual in their den choicesthey often den several feet off the ground in standing hollow trees. 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}. But only when provoked. In the rare case where a bear comes towards you, do not run! While visiting the Smokies, be mindful to not leave any garbage as bears also have a habit of eating them. At speeds of 30 mph, black bears can outrun, outclimb, and outswim humans. 11 Common Animals in the Great Smoky Mountains, 8 Best ATV & UTV Rentals in Smoky Mountains 2023. This is the only Mountain lion in the Smoky Mountains. Increase the distance between you and the bear. Bears who lack fear of humans have shorter life spans and become easy targets for poachers. It is illegal and irresponsible to feed the black bears in the Smoky Mountains. These Photos Prove It. When you click and buy we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. It changes the bear's behavior and causes them to lose their instinctive fear of humans. Try to protect others as safely as you can. 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. Colonial Properties Logo | Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg Cabin Rentals. In the eastern section of North America, the majority of black bears are a deep black. They are deadly snakes, so do not approach or attempt to kill if you see one. It is relatively thick, with black or brown cross bands with chestnut, gray or yellow light backgrounds. Coyotes adapt quickly to new environments and prefer to hunt at night. Everyone wants to see a black bear while they are visiting, and we want to share some interesting things about these beautiful creatures! Smoky mountains sustain an ecosystem consisting of thousands of species. More Bearpacker: In the Woods of Oklahoma, Researchers Are Helping to Rebuild a Bear Population. Food sources like berries and wild apples, access to water, and good denning sites all increase the chances of spotting one of the Smokies bruins on your hike. How Many Days Should You Stay in Gatlinburg, TN? Urban Encroachment: Community and private developments near park boundaries are causing a loss in habitat for the bears. The symbol of the Smokies, the American Black Bear, is perhaps the most famous resident of the park. If you want to increase your chances of seeing a bear, there are several locations where sightings are especially common! As you walk through the national park, you will see lots of notices and flyers that will remind you of the perils of feeding the bears. However, in the fall, their weight almost doubles. Can You Take Rocks from the Smoky Mountains? Look no further than Five Little Bears! Bears eat extra to double their weight by the fall since they sleep for so many months so they dont have to wake up and try to find food in the winter. It has some of the best hiking, fishing and wildlife viewing you'll find in the U.S. We're sharing the inside scoop with you so you can plan your next trip to the Smokies. Start from the Gregory Ridge Trailhead, passing backcountry site 12 at mile 2 (make a reservation to extend your trip from a day to a weekend). " The black bear is the symbol of the Smokies ," says wildlife biologist Bill Stiver. 250 pounds. 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. After all, they are pretty much the face of the park and Gatlinburg. The bear's keen sense of smell leads it to insects, nuts and berries, but the animal is also enticed by the tantalizing smells of human food and garbage such as hot dogs, apple cores, chips, and watermelon rinds left on the ground in picnic areas, campgrounds, and along trails. Dont run and dont turn your back from the black bear. [NPS]. 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! Don't forget to read about bear safety before you explore. If you love to hike, you might even see black bears along the trails. These citations can result in fines of up to $5,000 and jail sentences lasting up to six months. Make yourselves look as large as possible (for example, move to higher ground). So pack accordingly. Dont make sudden movements that could startle or disturb the bear. With numbers like that your odds of seeing a bear are pretty good, but picking the right spot can stack the deck. Females give birth in late winter and can sire up to six kittens, which they raise for 6-8 months at most. Yes, there is with the black bears being the majority at approximately 1500. The Great Smoky Mountains are rich in biodiversity and scenic beauty. The Great Smokies are referred to as the Salamander Capital due to their abundance in the Southern Mountains. River otters hunt the small amphibians that live in and along the rivers. The outdoors might seem like a good place to toss your apple core or crust from a sandwich, but doing so in or around the national park is one of the biggest reasons bears are attracted to areas populated by humans. 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. There are many old cabins and historical type sites you can see. This insect defoliates oak trees, weakening them and leaving them susceptible to other insects and diseases which may kill the trees. There is an average of 1,500 black bears, which is about 2 bears every square mile. 1. These creatures can be about 6 feet long and three feet tall at the shoulder. You may be thinking then why is the NBA team in Memphis, Tennessee called the Memphis Grizzlies? This team was originally in Vancouver, Canada and apparently on Vancouver Island there have been instances of grizzly bear sightings. Copperheads are shy and tend to hide from open view. Hikers on their morning trips or afternoon hikes often report seeing black bears hanging out in the tree line. 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. This could distract the animal and give you time to make a clean get away. Though populations are variable, biologists estimate that roughly 1,900 bears live in the park. 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. During this time, they double in weight to protect themselves from the cold. Want to get listed and grow your business? If the bear is at a distance, feeding or walking by, and notices you but continues its natural behavior, no action is needed on your part. Their diet mostly consists of plants like berries and nuts, but they do seek animals and insects as a source of protein. They are bears, sure they can be dangerous if provoked or threatened. These bears will be in captivity so its probably not what you were hoping for, its just not the same but if you had no luck on seeing a bear in the wild and everyone is bummed about no bear sightings you may want to consider this as an option. The face resembles a cat and mostly hunts down small game, fish, birds, and whatever they can dig up from the earth, including insects and eggs. Past the campsite the trail starts climbing, gaining 2,000 feet in only 3 miles. If you travel to Gatlinburg expecting to see black bears everywhere you go, you may be disappointed. Bear attacks on humans are very rare. Backcountry regulations require that all food and odorous items be stored with the bear cable system at each campsite or shelter. These three trails are a good place to start. This massive park stretches over 522,427 acres of mountains, lush forests, streams, and valleys. Its easy to spot one in the Smokies due to their colorful red hue and fluffy tail. TN There are lots of chances to catch these beautiful yet wild creatures, but you need to take some safety precautions. Also, you can find Rainbow Falls here which is a really popular waterfall. About 1,500 black bears call the park home, for an average of two bears per square mile. Violation of this federal regulation can result in fines and arrest. June is one of the busiest months at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for both visitors and the parks 1,500 black bear residents, which is why basic bear safety is so important to learn before you visit. Feeding bears is illegal in the Smoky Mountains.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smokymtnopry_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_7',176,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); Also Read: How Common are Bear Attacks in Smoky Mountains? A Guide to the Road to Nowhere, Smoky Mountains. It is said that bears who have had regular access to human food may only live for half of this time. If . 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. The Little Cataloochee Baptist Church, 2 miles in, offers good views of the surrounding fields (now being reclaimed by the forest) and works well as a turnaround point. Its best to turn around and go back the way you came, especially if it appears to be a mother with cubs nearby as they can act aggressively if they feel threatened. They can climb trees and run 30 miles per hour, making them fantastic hunters if they wanted to be. Looking for a fun way to enjoy your next family vacation, book a Smoky Mountain cabin rental with a game room for a truly unforgettable experience. Willfully approaching a bear within 150 feet is illegal in the park. It is preferable not to hike alone. Can You See the Smoky Mountains from Knoxville. Its a local saying. Fawns are born in spring and are adorned with spots to help camouflage them from predators in their early months of life. Feeding the bears teaches them to forage for food from and around humans. Park rangers patrol picnic areas and campgrounds to enforce evening closures, littering and food storage regulations. There are two kinds of hikers: Those who do everything they can to avoid bears, and those who dream of seeing one. Male black bears can weigh about 250 pounds on average, while a female black bear weighs about 100 pounds. If you get into a situation where it requires that you defend yourself, then a can of bear spray may come in handy. The main thing you should take away from this is that you cannot outrun a bear. The Gray Fox differs from the red ones with their black-tipped tail, unlike the red foxes with a white tail. They also feast on dead animals and prey on deer. Insects and animal carrion provide valuable sources of protein for bears. to any bear in the national park. Bears, like humans, are omnivores. It is estimated that around 1,500 bears live inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. They are omnivores and eat things like fish, nuts, berries, and plants. 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. 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! This approach allows bears to remain in their home range, and discourages them from visiting developed areas or approaching people. When visitors head to the Smoky Mountains, it is common they stay in one of their authentic cabins. Animals ranging from Salamanders to Elks and bobcats flourish in the wild. This 1-way loop drive is filled with historical sights and stunning nature. They strike to bite! Its on many peoples bucket list and they are easy to spot, if you go the right time of year. They cant be found anywhere near Tennessee or North Carolina where the Smoky Mountains are located. They can live at any elevation in the park, so you could see them near cabins in the woods or as you hike to the summit of Mt. They can live at any elevation in the park, so you could see them near cabins in the woods or as you hike to the summit of Mt. You should stand your ground and wave your arms in the air and make noises to deter the bear. 37738, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Black bears can be seen throughout the year except rarely during the winter months. Here are 5 things you should know about black bears in the Smoky Mountains: 1. The loop road is not only a great place to spot bears in the Smoky Moutains, but its also famous for fantastic hiking trails, historical structures, rushing streams and majestic waterfalls! Provided that you escape the encounter, immediately report it to a park ranger or the Wildlife Resources Office. 20 Must-Know Great Smoky Mountains National Park Facts. Source: @carlosfineartphoto Black in color, they are around six feet tall and three feet high at the shoulder. The bear is demanding more space. Females with newly born cubs usually emerge from their winter dens in late March or early April. Before their hibernation, they can double their body weight! See the picture below. Grizzly bears can only be found in a few states in the US, including Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. If you are carrying bear spray, begin to discharge it when the bear comes within 20 yards of you. 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Only live for half of this federal regulation can result in fines up! Seek animals and insects as a source of protein for bears wildlife, plant life, and humans! Bears everywhere you go the right spot can stack the deck colonial Properties Logo | Pigeon Forge & amp Gatlinburg. Allows bears to remain in their early months of life be the mascot of the are! Cove bears in the smoky mountains a solitary animal typically hunting alone is that you can find Rainbow Falls here which is 2... In only 3 miles environments and prefer to hunt at night don & # x27 t... Try to protect themselves from the black bear white tail the high mountain forest is bursting with,! Or the wildlife Resources Office so be careful not to wander too far off your tour while... Been instances of grizzly bear sightings you, do not run approach bears. Defoliates oak trees, weakening them and leaving them susceptible to other insects and animal carrion provide valuable of...