Results of these efforts are very encouraging. Bears in the park are wild and their behavior can be unpredictable. If you spot a bear and he doesnt see you, keep it that way. This incredible park is bursting with wildlife, plant life, and exciting adventures to be experienced. When you think of the Smoky Mountains, you probably also think of black bears. Black bears will eat berries, nuts, and plants, as well as fish and insects. 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. Bears do not truly hibernate, but enter long periods of sleep. Bears over 600 pounds have been documented in the park. However, bears may double their weight by the fall. 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. Bear attacks in the Smoky Mountains are incredibly rare and deaths even more so. This approach allows bears to remain in their home range, and discourages them from visiting developed areas or approaching people. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the largest protected areas in the USA where black bears live in the wild in their natural habit. In the eastern section of North America, the majority of black bears are a deep black. Everyone wants to know where you are likely to see black bears in the Smoky Mountains. These Photos Prove It. You can also find animals roaming in the Park around the Cades Cove at dusk the best time to view wildlife in the Great Smoky Mountains. 20 Must-Know Great Smoky Mountains National Park Facts. Most of the time bears will flee when they encounter humans, however in the national park these bears are protected and are probably pretty bold. How Common are Bear Attacks in Smoky Mountains? Cades Cove Visitor Center: 686 Cades Cove Loop Road, Townsend, TN 37882. This is a medium to a large venomous snake that lives above 3,000 feet. If a bear starts pursuing you, consider throwing an item like a camera or purse away from you. This is the only Mountain lion in the Smoky Mountains. If you visit the park there is a very good chance you will encounter one. The drive also includes scenic overlooks, hiking trails, picnic areas and even a waterfall that can be seen from the road! The Timber Rattler is not known to be lethal. The red and gray fox are found near Cades Cove in Smokies Park.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'smokymtnopry_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_10',180,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); Coyotes resemble Collie dogs; they have dark fur, white bellies, and a fleshy, bushy tail. Want to get listed and grow your business? Head out to the Park in the early summer to witness mothers give birth to adorable calves and September-October for the annual mating season when bulls circle cows into herds. Cades Cove. Some bears in the park have even been documented to weigh over 600 pounds! Bears have fantastic color vision and an amazing sense of smell. The Great Smoky Mountains is the largest protected area in the eastern part of the country that has wild black bears. It is estimated that around 1,500 bears live inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. So it is best to just do the right thing and go the other way. However, bears in the Great Smoky Mountains Park are wild creatures and can be dangerously unpredictable. The Great Smokies are referred to as the Salamander Capital due to their abundance in the Southern Mountains. Bears weigh eight ounces at birth. 107 Park Headquarters Road The Chimneys Picnic Area also provides an excellent chance of spotting a bear! 865-436-7318, EXT 320. The symbol of the Smokies, the American Black Bear, is perhaps the most famous resident of the park. Do not approach the bear. But only when provoked. Black bears double their weight in the fall months. 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 Great Smoky Mountains are rich in biodiversity and scenic beauty. You may think black bears only eat meat, but they are actually omnivores! Increase the distance between you and the bear. The black bears can be seen in all elevations of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the surrounding areas. 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? 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. Salamanders slither through wet areas, mostly hiding under logs and large stones near the Parks creeks. The Timber Rattler has the most toxic venom of the two species. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. Coyotes are somewhat timid and afraid of humans at first glance, but can be dangerous if you cozy up to them. You cant touch them since you would be interfering with the breathing system. These bears are omnivores, relying for food on plants like fruits, and grass as well as insects. Back away slowly and quietly without disturbing the creature. 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? 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! However, if you are ever attacked you should not play dead. Fawns are born in spring and are adorned with spots to help camouflage them from predators in their early months of life. Another great place to see bears in the Smoky Mountains is in the Cades Cove section of the national park. Make your presence known. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This is another 1-way loop drive you can take to see some nature and history. The best season to visit the Great Smokies Park is in the spring and at the onset of summer. You should stand your ground and wave your arms in the air and make noises to deter the bear. Here are some of the top places to see black bears in the Smoky Mountains. And remember. 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! If you're one of the latter, Great Smoky Mountains is the place. Keeping your distance prevents the bears from becoming disturbed, and keeps you and the bears safe. Home Blog Smoky Mountain Wildlife Top 4 Places to See Bears in the Smoky Mountains. as adults. About 1,500 black bears call the park home, for an average of two bears per square mile. At the onset of winter, deers drop their horns and develop fresh ones. 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. Urban Encroachment: Community and private developments near park boundaries are causing a loss in habitat for the bears. With numbers like that your odds of seeing a bear are pretty good, but picking the right spot can stack the deck. On colder days, bears will wake up and wander away for a little bit before heading back to their den to sleep.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smokymtnopry_com-banner-1','ezslot_5',175,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-banner-1-0'); If you want to see black bears up close, the best way to do it is via binoculars, a telephoto lens, or a spotting scope. You should yell or throw a rock; they usually run away. In her children's book, Frances Figart writes about two best friends, a bear and a deer, who grow up in the Great Smoky Mountains listening to stories about a time their families could move freely . They are omnivores. Food can be kept inside the cabin, just as long as the windows and doors are kept closed. 3. They will approach people's cars, campsites, and cabins searching for food. Act together as a group if you have companions. Backcountry regulations require that all food and odorous items be stored with the bear cable system at each campsite or shelter. Bear attacks in the Smoky Mountains are very rare. Browse cabins with pet friendly policies. If the bear gets closer, talk loudly or shout at it. 1-800-371-0341 . " The black bear is the symbol of the Smokies ," says wildlife biologist Bill Stiver. Also, you can find Rainbow Falls here which is a really popular waterfall. 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. They may leave the den for short periods if disturbed or during brief warming trends. 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. Can You Take Rocks from the Smoky Mountains? It is thought that around 1,500 bears live in the park, this is roughly two bears per square mile. The icing on the cake is the presence of over 20,000 different species, which is any nature enthusiasts dream come true. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States! Again, feeding the bears human food can encourage this unpredictable behavior in bears. They seem harmless at first glance, but are some of the most dangerous animals living in the smoky mountains when provoked. 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. The Red Fox resembles a domestic dog in size, except for the white-tipped tail and black limbs, weighing up to 24 pounds. The Park includes wildlife, waterfalls, highland pastures, fresh mountain streams, high mountains, and extensive forests.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'smokymtnopry_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_5',164,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-medrectangle-4-0'); Because of its magnificence and proximity to the surrounding cities, the Park ranks as a top tourist destination in East Tennessee, making it a critical economic resource. This could result in a person being injured and the bear being euthanized. Having determined when they are probably laying hibernating and making themselves scarce you can assume that the best time to spot a black bear is going to be in the spring, summer or early fall. Black bears love Cades Cove because it has a suitable ecosystem and a variety of food sources. Consider hanging items at least 10 feet up or investing in a bear-proof cooler or storage container. Many visitors to Great Smoky Mountains National Park hope to catch at least one glimpse of the parks famous black bear! Thank you for visiting! Black bears can be seen throughout the year except rarely during the winter months. Cades Cove. They are wild animals and can be unpredictable. While driving along the loop road or stopping to stretch your legs for a short hike, keep your eyes open as you may get to see mother black bears with her cubs walking around! Eastern Cougars are large, brown or gray cats weighing approximately 140 pounds, and stand between 5-8 Ft. tall as adults. In the rare case where a bear comes towards you, do not run! If you love to hike, you might even see black bears along the trails. Dont make sudden movements that could startle or disturb the bear. 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. Everyone wants to see a black bear while they are visiting, and we want to share some interesting things about these beautiful creatures! This massive park stretches over 522,427 acres of mountains, lush forests, streams, and valleys. But once the critical habitats are destroyed, major declines in bear populations are inevitable. Another place to see a bear is Ober Gatlinburg. Proceed while continuing to observe the bear. 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. While this certainly adds to the appeal of those who want to observe these animals from a safe distance in the wild, it can also be dangerous for those who don't understand bears in the Smoky Mountains.If you see black bears in the Smoky Mountains during . You probably dont know this, but not all black bears are black! The further west you head, the more likely it is you could see brown, cinnamon, tan or blonde black bears.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smokymtnopry_com-box-4','ezslot_4',165,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-box-4-0'); During the summer months, a typical adult male bear weighs around 250 pounds while adult females are usually smaller and weigh slightly over 100 pounds. The Red Fox and the Gray Fox live in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. Black bears usually step away when they feel a human presence unless you get too close and give them a hand or if they are scavenging garbage. So dont feed the bears. Are Mountain Monsters Real: 10 Mountain Monster Stories, Common Animals in the Great Smoky Mountains. World renowned for its diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains, and the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, this is America's . Check the "Bear Closures" and "Bear Warnings" section of the Temporary Closures page before planning a hike in the park. 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. As you may know, bears hibernate in the winter. If you travel to Gatlinburg expecting to see black bears everywhere you go, you may be disappointed. They strike to bite! Stay safe in black bear country! 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. Bears choose a denning site with the coming of cold weather. There are around 1500-1600 black bears living in the Smoky Mountains National Park. Learn More About Black Bear Research in the Park. As a bonus, Cades Cove offers plenty of other wildlife too, including white tailed deer and coyotes! If you brought it with you, then pack it out! They may be six feet in length and up to three feet high at the shoulder. Willfully approaching within 50 yards (150 feet), or any distance that disturbs or displaces a bear, is illegal in the park. They both grow from 20-25 lbs. You may think black bears in the Smoky Mountains only eat . Again, never feed or throw food to the bears. The (Smokies) Great Smoky Mountains Park is home to dozens of wildlife. You can watch them in Cades Cove or Cataloochee in the Smoky Mountains in the meadows near forests. They dont like extreme cold or extreme heat. The park is one of the largest protected areas where black bears live in the wild in the eastern United States. WARNING: Willfully approaching a black bear within 50 yards (150 feet), or any distance that disturbs or displaces a bear, is illegal in the park. Poaching activities can be somewhat curtailed, and bear populations can eventually rebound from the losses. Wild berries like blackberries, blueberries, and huckleberries grow throughout the valley and are easy to harvest by bears. These volunteers also assist in managing people during roadside bear jams. Feeding bears in the Smokies by the way is a big no-no and illegal. 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. In fact, it's so uncommon that it can be difficult to find many statistics on the subject. Based on what Ive read, a lean black bear can run up to 30mph. Make yourself look bigger to the bear. Do not approach within 50 yards or close enough to disturb the bear. If you want to see black bears during your visit, we recommend heading to the Smoky Mountains during Spring or Summer. 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. With over 1,500 bears throughout the national park, they are by far one of the most popular animals in the area. You may notice some brown fur around the black fur, too. Their diet mostly consists of plants like berries and nuts, but they do seek animals and insects as a source of protein. Bears have color vision and a keen sense of smell. Can You See the Smoky Mountains from Knoxville. One common location is Cades Cove. Don't run and don't turn away from the bear. Join Outside+ to get access to exclusive content, 1,000s of training plans, and more. The Bears are mainly vegetarian; they like to eat plants - squawroot, insects, wild berries, and nuts are their favorite. For more information please read our privacy policy. There is an average of 1,500 black bears, which is about 2 bears every square mile. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Past the campsite the trail starts climbing, gaining 2,000 feet in only 3 miles. There are lots of chances to catch these beautiful yet wild creatures, but you need to take some safety precautions. They are deadly snakes, so do not approach or attempt to kill if you see one. Coyotes adapt quickly to new environments and prefer to hunt at night. Are There Mountain Lions in the Smoky Mountains? Bears have an amazing sense of smell; they can even sniff out food you might not be able to smell yourself. Smoky Mountain Black Bears (American Black Bear) are most active during morning and early evening during Spring and Summer. 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. 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. Male black bears can weigh about 250 pounds on average, while a female black bear weighs about 100 pounds. 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! There is only one species of bear found in Tennessee, and that is the black bear. Spotting a bear in the Smokies can be a wonderful experience, but it's important to remember that these majestic creatures can also be dangerous - and we can be dangerous to them. Grizzly bears can only be found in a few states in the US, including Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Both species are elusive and nocturnal. Bears have a keen sense of smell and can be very curious. Check out our guide to Smoky Mountain wildlife for even more animals! Here is everything you need to know about black bears in the Smoky Mountain, what they look like and how to keep safe should you ever encounter one in the wild.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smokymtnopry_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_3',164,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-medrectangle-4-0'); The most commonly found bear in the Smoky Mountains is the black bear. In many cases, a startled bear is an aggressive bear. 2. 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. 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. 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