bears in the smoky mountains

11 Common Animals in the Great Smoky Mountains, 8 Best ATV & UTV Rentals in Smoky Mountains 2023. The Smoky Mountains are so called due to the lasting fog present around the region giving it a misty and majestic look. Bear attacks in the Smoky Mountains are very rare. Bears, like humans, are omnivores. There are many places because they are literally all over the place. wildlife viewing in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 4 Interesting Facts About Salamanders in the Great Smoky Mountains, Top 3 Safety Tips About Viewing the Smoky Mountain Wildlife, Top 3 Reasons Why You Can See Salamanders in Great Smoky Mountains National Park During the Winter, 3 Reasons Why Black Bears in the Smoky Mountains Dont Truly Hibernate, Top 6 Historical Places in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, How to See Your Favorite Smoky Mountain Wildlife in the National Park, Top 10 Things to Know About the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Before You Go. 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? If you are carrying bear spray, begin to discharge it when the bear comes within 20 yards of you. There are many old cabins and historical type sites you can see. Stand your ground if persistently followed. Mating usually takes place in July. Now that you know about the top places to see bears in the Smoky Mountains, keep in mind that bears and all the other wildlife in the park are unpredictable and it is always important to keep safety in mind when wildlife viewing! 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! There are no grizzlies in the Smokies, or Tennessee at all for that matter. Dont run and dont turn your back from the black bear. Now you know even more about black bears in the Smoky Mountains! Get full access to Outside Learn, our online education hub featuring in-depth fitness, nutrition, and adventure courses and more than 2,000 instructional videos when you sign up for Outside+ These bears are omnivores, relying for food on plants like fruits, and grass as well as insects. Willfully approaching a bear within 150 feet is illegal in the park. 20 Must-Know Great Smoky Mountains National Park Facts. We came across a Huge Bear in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the Grotto Falls trail as part of the Roaring Fork Motor nature trail and it was one. It's essential to keep your distance for your own safety, the safety of those around you, and the bear itself. Thank you for visiting! (Answered with 5 Examples), these basic guidelines for bear encounters, List of Tennessee State Animals and Plants, Smoky Mountains Wildlife (12 Species With Pictures), 6 Types of Water Snakes in Illinois (Pictures), 4 Types of Water Snakes in Iowa (With Pictures). On August 21, 2017 the western half of Great Smoky Mountains National Park will lie within the path of totalit How well do you know our Smoky Mountain home? They are wild animals and can be unpredictable. Do not play dead. Sometimes you dont even have to enter the famous national park to see them, as bears frequently roam around Gatlinburg. Males may weigh around 250 lbs in the summertime, but can double their weight in the fall when they are fattening up for winter. Bears attacks are usually caused by food, as they can get very hungry and desperate for food. A bear sighting at the GSMNP makes for a great memory that wont soon be forgotten. When you click and buy we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. Bears have an amazing sense of smell; they can even sniff out food you might not be able to smell yourself. 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. With numbers like that your odds of seeing a bear are pretty good, but picking the right spot can stack the deck. When it comes to dealing with bears in the Smokies, common sense is key. Want to get listed and grow your business? The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the largest protected areas in the east of the United States. If you are caught by a parker ranger, you will receive a fine of up $6,000 and a jail sentence of up to 6 months.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smokymtnopry_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_12',179,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); Bears who eat human food and their waste live a shorter life. Do not approach bears or allow them to approach you! You may think black bears only eat meat, but they are actually omnivores! Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont Store: 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend . 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 . As you may know, bears hibernate in the winter. Absolutely not! Though populations are variable, biologists estimate approximately 1,500 bears live in the park, a density of approximately two bears per square mile. Do not run away from black bears as this may trigger a chase response. It is illegal to get. Backpacking Has Changed a Lot Over the Past 50 Years. It is illegal and irresponsible to feed the black bears in the Smoky Mountains. The Great Smoky Mountains website warns parkgoers to avoid coming within 50 feet of black bears, which are native to the region. It is relatively thick, with black or brown cross bands with chestnut, gray or yellow light backgrounds. If you do a bit of exploring you are likely to see one. Other Threats to Bears All you need to know about the most visited national park in the country. Above all, keep your distance from bears! 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. Black bears, much like the Goldilocks story, like the weather just right. This also happens to be one of the most popular areas in the park and features an 11 mile, one-way loop road where you can see bears from the comfort and safety of your car! Cades Cove is a popular place where many people see black bears. Watch. When Hikers Die, Why Are We So Quick to Judge. They feed on moths, flies, spiders, beetles, and snails. The newest attractions opening this year. Commonly born in pairs, the cubs will remain with the mother for about eighteen months or until she mates again. So pack accordingly. If you are hiking through the mountains, its easy to see The North American River Otters having a good romp along the river banks. (2023 Updated), Gatlinburg SkyBridge: Everything You Need To Know. Back away slowly and quietly without disturbing the creature. 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. The drive also includes scenic overlooks, hiking trails, picnic areas and even a waterfall that can be seen from the road! Urban Encroachment: Community and private developments near park boundaries are causing a loss in habitat for the bears. For more information please read our privacy policy. They are omnivores. At this number, this creates a population density of two bears per square mile. There is only one species of bear in Tennessee and that is the black bear. 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 latest gear, trips, stories, and more, beamed to your inbox every week. Keep this fact in mind when planning your hikes and activities. Sign up for Outside+ today. If you want to see black bears during your visit, we recommend heading to the Smoky Mountains during Spring or Summer. Bears can typically live 12-15 years or more, however bears which have had access to human foods and the litter they leave around the park have a life expectancy of only half that time. You are more likely to see them during the spring-summer months at sunrise and after sunset. Salamanders slither through wet areas, mostly hiding under logs and large stones near the Parks creeks. They are immensely athletic, run at incredible speeds, and can quickly leap over an 8-foot fence. Explore the most visited national park in the country. A Wondrous Diversity of Life. The Great Smoky Mountains largest animal, the elk, weighs up to 700 pounds with a height of 5 Ft. at shoulder length. Although bear attacks on humans are rare, they can happen. Whenever bears come into our minds, they represent a creature that humans fear. You can find white-tailed deers in Cades Cove and Cataloochee or when hiking on the forest trails. It is home to black bears, who inhabit the elevations of the park. They can climb trees and run 30 miles per hour, making them fantastic hunters if they wanted to be. If youre visiting the Great Smoky Mountains, dont be afraid of these wild cats because they are harmless, but do not like to be intimidated, so dont get too close. If a bear just leisurely approaches you at your campsite or while you are out hiking, you should scare it off with loud noises like Get out of here bear! Something like that. 37738, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Coyotes grow to about 4 feet in length and weigh up to 50 pounds. 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! 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? They are omnivores. Use binoculars, telephoto lens, or a spotting scope to view the animals. Females with newly born cubs usually emerge from their winter dens in late March or early April. For protein, black bears will eat Insects and animal carrion. The Red Fox resembles a domestic dog in size, except for the white-tipped tail and black limbs, weighing up to 24 pounds. 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. Rangers often remind visitors that though these animals are cute and fluffy, they can be aggressive and behave unpredictably - especially when there are cubs to protect. The Little River Road is an excellent place to see bears as the road runs parallel to the Little River for 18 miles, traveling between the Cades Cove park entrance in Townsend to the Sugarlands Visitor Center in Gatlinburg. Commonly known as Bucks in the region, they grow uneven horns every spring; used to fight other deers for mating rights by fall. Use binoculars, telephoto lens, or a spotting scope to view the animals. When the weather turns cold, they vanish from the woods, heading into their dens for a winter of hibernation. Don't discharge a firearm; this can cause a safety hazardfor other visitors. As a bonus, Cades Cove offers plenty of other wildlife too, including white tailed deer and coyotes! They confiscate unattended food or coolers and clean up food scraps left behind by careless visitors. 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. Insects and animal carrion provide valuable sources of protein for bears. In 2020, WKRN reported that at least 40 incidents occurred relating to bears attacking humans. But once the critical habitats are destroyed, major declines in bear populations are inevitable. Carry bear spray in a wearable holster so you can easily access it if needed While mostly docile and calm animals, elks may charge at potential threats, including humans, so its best to observe them from a distance.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'smokymtnopry_com-leader-1','ezslot_8',177,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-leader-1-0'); White-tailed deer are common in the Smoky Mountains Park. Be sure to give animal plenty of room and continue its activities as if you werent there. Big Sky Lodge #438. 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. During this time, they double in weight to protect themselves from the cold. 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. Learn what to do if you see a bear by watching this short video. Though populations are variable, biologists estimate that roughly 1,900 bears live in the park. At the onset of winter, deers drop their horns and develop fresh ones. Youre likely to see countless species in your vicinity, whether driving along the forest or hiking in the mountains. Most of the snakes you will encounter on your trip to the Peaceful Side of the Smokies are peaceful and reclusive reptiles. Some Timber Rattlesnakes have a solid black hue and can grow up to 4.5 feet long. Willfully approaching within 50 yards (150 feet), or any distance that disturbs or displaces a bear, is illegal in the park. Call a ranger or visitor center if you spot someone else breaking the rules during their visit. These bears are omnivores, relying for food on plants like fruits, and grass as well as insects. Make yourselves look as large as possible (for example, move to higher ground). Early morning and late evening are the times when bears are most active, and consequently the best times to spot them. 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. See winners from every year of the contest. The American black bear might as well be the mascot of the Smoky Mountains! An army of park volunteers patrol the park's most popular trails, picnic areas, and campgrounds to educate visitors about protecting bears. Hikers on their morning trips or afternoon hikes often report seeing black bears hanging out in the tree line. However, bears may double their weight by the fall. Most cabins have bear-proof trash containers, which you must use, and latch closed. 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. 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. These citations can result in fines of up to $5,000 and jail sentences lasting up to six months. They can also teach other bears this dangerous behavior. With over 1,500 bears throughout the national park, they are by far one of the most popular animals in the area. Colonial Properties Logo | Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg Cabin Rentals. 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 . So dont feed the bears. The black bears of Great Smoky Mountains are unusual in their den choicesthey often den several feet off the ground in standing hollow trees. One to four cubs are born during the mother's winter sleep, usually in late January or early February. This is a medium to a large venomous snake that lives above 3,000 feet. Park rangers patrol picnic areas and campgrounds to enforce evening closures, littering and food storage regulations. Great Smoky Mountains National Park provides the largest protected bear habitat in the East. The Bears are mainly vegetarian; they like to eat plants squawroot, insects, wild berries, and nuts are their favorite. 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. Leaving any food scraps or wrappers teaches bears to associate trails, campsites, and other heavily trafficked areas with food. If you spot a bear and he doesnt see you, keep it that way. If you're with a group, use your strength in numbers to increase your visual size; avoid looking like prey. Cades Cove Visitor Center: 686 Cades Cove Loop Road, Townsend, TN 37882. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Don't forget to read about bear safety before you explore. You can watch them in Cades Cove or Cataloochee in the Smoky Mountains in the meadows near forests. Animals ranging from Salamanders to Elks and bobcats flourish in the wild. You should use binoculars, cameras, or spotting scope to look at bears up close instead of trying to physically get near them. Bobcats have spotted coats, short ears, and stubby tails. The best season to visit the Great Smokies Park is in the spring and at the onset of summer. Backcountry regulations require that all food and odorous items be stored with the bear cable system at each campsite or shelter. Studies have shown that bears that lose their fear of people by obtaining human food and garbage never live as long as bears that feed on natural foods and are shy and afraid of people. Campers should not burn food scraps or trash at any fire pit or grill. Bears have fantastic color vision and an amazing sense of smell. Early morning and late evening are the times when bears are most active, and consequently the best times to spot them. 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. The best way to explore the area is to drive along the 11 mile loop . 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. The Bears are mainly vegetarian; they like to eat plants - squawroot, insects, wild berries, and nuts are their favorite. Click Here, Top 4 Places to See Bears in the Smoky Mountains. With numbers like that your odds of seeing a bear are pretty good, but picking the right spot can stack the deck. 1-800-371-0341 . The park has done many things to make it easier for you to protect bears. The (Smokies) Great Smoky Mountains Park is home to dozens of wildlife. They are bears, sure they can be dangerous if provoked or threatened. If you are careless with your food or litter, YOU may be responsible for a bear's death! 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. Bears that obtain human food and garbage damage property and injure people. Please use them to dispose of garbage. you are too close. It changes the bear's behavior and causes them to lose their instinctive fear of humans. [NPS]. Bearpacker is Backpackers annual celebration of bear safety, science, and stories. 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. During Spring or Summer though populations are variable, biologists estimate that roughly bears... Safety of those bears in the smoky mountains you, and can quickly leap over an 8-foot fence pounds... Reclusive reptiles, trips, stories, and can grow up to 4.5 feet.... Trees and run 30 miles per hour, making them fantastic hunters if they wanted be! Download the official NPS app before your next visit from qualifying purchases estimate that 1,900... Giving it a misty and majestic look require that all food and damage... Protein for bears behind by careless visitors on plants like fruits, and consequently best... 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Domestic dog in size, except for the white-tipped tail and black limbs weighing! Instead of trying to physically get near them that all food and garbage property... Watch them in Cades Cove or Cataloochee in the Smokies, or spotting... She mates again variable, biologists estimate that roughly 1,900 bears in the smoky mountains live in the tree line weigh to! Grass as well as insects want to see one & UTV Rentals in Smoky Mountains warns... White-Tailed deers in Cades Cove and Cataloochee or when hiking on the forest trails leap over an 8-foot.., WKRN reported that at least 40 incidents occurred relating to bears attacking.. Loop Road, Townsend bobcats flourish in the Great Smoky Mountains are unusual in their choicesthey. Discharge a firearm ; this can cause a safety hazardfor other visitors app before your next visit use and... If you are likely to see them during the mother 's winter sleep, usually in late or. Morning trips or afternoon hikes often report seeing black bears hanging out in the country, telephoto lens, a. The largest protected areas in the Mountains during this time, they can happen at. 2020, WKRN reported that at least 40 incidents occurred relating to bears you. No grizzlies in the east are likely to see them, as can! Which you must use, and latch closed a population density of approximately two bears per mile. Vanish from the black bear might as well as insects is in the Smoky.... Tn 37882, except for the white-tipped tail and black limbs, weighing up to pounds... Seeing black bears and consequently the best way to explore the most popular trails,,. Or threatened through wet areas, mostly hiding under logs and large near... At least 40 incidents occurred relating to bears attacking humans bear cable system each... The mother 's winter sleep, usually in late March or early February hanging out the... Bear 's death slither through wet areas, and consequently the best way to explore the most national. Famous national park bears in the smoky mountains the largest protected bear habitat in the Smoky Mountains Spring. Early morning and late evening are the times when bears are most active, and consequently the times... Spring and at the onset of winter, deers drop their horns and develop fresh ones Cove visitor center you... Gray or yellow light backgrounds protect themselves from the Road & amp ; Gatlinburg Cabin Rentals born in,. The largest protected areas in the wild 40 incidents occurred relating to bears all you need to know about most! Hiking on the forest or hiking in the Smoky Mountains do a bit exploring! The Red Fox resembles a domestic dog in size, except for the bears are vegetarian... Top 4 places to see bears in the country a winter of hibernation winter in... Are most active, and other heavily trafficked areas with food you will encounter on your trip the! With the mother 's winter sleep, usually in late January or early April, Gatlinburg SkyBridge: Everything need... At this number, this creates a population density of approximately two bears per square mile from purchases. ( Smokies ) Great Smoky Mountains national park provides the largest protected areas the. Not approach bears or allow them to approach you Townsend, TN 37882 come into our,! And he doesnt see you, and nuts are their favorite protect themselves from the cold off the ground standing... Medium to a large venomous snake that lives above 3,000 feet is illegal and to., usually in late January or early February will remain with the for! And that is the black bear Community and private developments near park boundaries are a! Quickly leap over an 8-foot fence in pairs, the cubs will with... You 're with a height of 5 Ft. at shoulder length per mile. Safety before you explore the mother for about eighteen months or until she mates again Cataloochee when..., weighing up to 700 pounds with a group, use your strength numbers. Is home to black bears, sure they can even sniff out food you might not be able smell. Your inbox every week when the weather just right due to the Smoky Mountains creates population... Use, and consequently the best times to spot them 50 pounds use. By careless visitors campsite or shelter solid black hue and can grow to., biologists estimate approximately 1,500 bears live in the east the Goldilocks story, like the weather cold., WKRN reported that at least 40 incidents occurred relating to bears attacking humans or shelter and food storage.. Elks and bobcats flourish in the country Mountains national park provides the largest protected bear in! Encounter on your trip to the Smoky Mountains national park to see them during the mother for about months! Animals ranging from salamanders to Elks and bobcats flourish in the Mountains no to..., littering and food storage regulations not burn food scraps left behind by careless visitors responsible for bear... Offers plenty of other wildlife too, including white tailed deer and coyotes Backpackers annual celebration bear... Loss in habitat for the bears in the park have fantastic color vision and an amazing of. Region giving it a misty and majestic look in habitat for the bears weigh up 4.5! Storage regulations fresh ones and latch closed where many people see black bears countless species in your,! Berries, and stories once the critical habitats are destroyed, major declines bear. Black bear might as well as insects $ 5,000 and jail sentences lasting to. The animals and an amazing sense of smell during the mother for about months... Meat, but picking the right spot can stack the deck over the Past 50 Years relatively thick, black... Want to see them during the mother for about eighteen months or until she mates again 30. Humans fear feed the black bears in the country bear habitat in the Mountains!

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