Again, never feed or throw food to the bears. The Timber Rattler is not known to be lethal. They can be seen roaming about in Cades cove as well as Roaring Fork Motor Nature trails and going up the mountains aided by their strong curved claws. Thank you for visiting! 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. This means that bear sightings in the park are not uncommon, especially during the early morning and late evening hours in . The mountain Cougars seem shy and withdrawn, so they tend to stay out of sight, but they are dangerous. However, unlike popular belief, black bears are rarely aggressive towards people. You should use binoculars, cameras, or spotting scope to look at bears up close instead of trying to physically get near them. 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. It can also make the bear too brave and result in a bear attack. These citations can result in fines of up to $5,000 and jail sentences lasting up to six months. Absolutely not! So be careful not to wander too far off your tour group/guide while hiking in the Smoky Mountains. These Photos Prove It. 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. Check out these 5 facts you should know about black bears in the Smoky Mountains: In the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, biologists estimate there are about 1,500 black bears. 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! 4 Bedrooms, 5 Bathrooms. With over 1,500 bears throughout the national park, they are by far one of the most popular animals in the area. Black bears are perhaps the most "famous" wildlife in the Smoky Mountains (photo by Tom Middleton/shutterstock.com) 1. Bears are like humans, they are omnivores. Please watch this short video. Bears can often be seen around the old cabins.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smokymtnopry_com-leader-1','ezslot_7',177,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-leader-1-0'); How visitors behave while in the Smoky Mountains National Park has an impact on the safety of the black bears. Great Smoky Mountains National Park provides the largest protected bear habitat in the East. You can easily spot them at Cataloochee roaming on the grasses as they graze in the open meadows. Plant materials such as berries and nuts make up approximately 85% of their diet. 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}. Some are pretty friendly; others prefer to stay out of sight, while others are dangerous and can pose a threat if not treated with proper respect. These Appalachian Mountains not only offer us a view of the picturesque beauty of nature but also let us experience its thrill by capturing the animals in the wild; in their natural habitat. The Bears are mainly vegetarian; they like to eat plants squawroot, insects, wild berries, and nuts are their favorite. The Great Smoky Mountains is the largest protected area in the eastern part of the country that has wild black bears. Grizzly bears can be found in a select few states in the US. Click Here, Top 4 Places to See Bears in the Smoky Mountains. If you see a bear before it sees you, don't approach. Here is how you should act when visiting the park. 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. 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. Here are the top 4 places to see bears in the Smoky Mountains: 1. There are 23 varieties of snakes in the Smokies, but only two of them are poisonous. As you may know, bears hibernate in the winter. In the eastern section of North America, the majority of black bears are a deep black. 3. If the bear continues to follow you, stand your ground. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States! One to four cubs are born during the mother's winter sleep, usually in late January or early February. This area is usually perfect for wildlife viewing because it is a wide valley surrounded by mountains, and Cades Cove bears are often sighted in the open valley. Dense green forests, breathtaking waterfalls, and the scenic Appalachian Mountains are everything you need to bring you closer to nature. Do not approach the bear. Learn what to do if you see a bear by watching this short video. The black bears of Great Smoky Mountains are unusual in their den choicesthey often den several feet off the ground in standing hollow trees. Photo: "Clingmans Dome (AKA Smoky Dome) - Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee, USA" by jody.claborn is marked with CC PDM 1.0. 2. Always keep your car locked, black bears are nifty at gaining access when they want to.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'smokymtnopry_com-leader-2','ezslot_13',180,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-leader-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'smokymtnopry_com-leader-2','ezslot_14',180,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-leader-2-0_1');.leader-2-multi-180{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}. Can You Take Rocks from the Smoky Mountains? Always respect bears and give them space. The red-cheeked salamander is lungless and breathes through their skins, and visitors are advised not to touch or try to pet one if they spot it. Keep your distance. 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. Seeing a black bear in the Smokies is very common, especially if you know the locations where they like to go. How Common are Bear Attacks in Smoky Mountains? You probably dont know this, but not all black bears are black! Non-Native Species: The European wild hog is one of the most direct threats to the black bear. 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. 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. Skip the traffic jam and head into where the bears really live on the 8.5-mile Rich Mountain Loop. 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. This is a myth, it didnt work out too well for Leo DiCaprio either. The Great Smoky Mountains are home to the densest population of black bears in the United States. The family was asleep in their tent when they awoke at approximately 5:20 a.m. to a bear tearing into their tent. 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. First and foremost the consensus is to stay calm. Educational signs about bears can be found on picnic tables throughout the park and bear safety videos are posted on this website. 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. Bears should also be treated with caution and respect. 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. 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. Don't leave food for the bear; this encourages further problems. However if you just simply explore the park, ask some locals, and visit a couple of the places mentioned in this article, you have a better than average chance of seeing one in the wild. 107 Park Headquarters Road Bear attacks on humans are very rare. I would say any time in May through September will be your best bet, I saw a young male recently in July. The Great Smokies are referred to as the Salamander Capital due to their abundance in the Southern Mountains. The oldest known black bear lived to be 39. If you're with a group, use your strength in numbers to increase your visual size; avoid looking like prey. This could distract the animal and give you time to make a clean get away. 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. At a safe distance of at least 150 feet this is a good opportunity to enjoy the sight before quietly moving away. The elk population saw a sharp decline between the 80s and 90s but was reintroduced to the Park in 2001. Dens are usually hollow stumps, tree cavities, or wherever there is shelter. Although bear attacks on humans are rare, they can happen. This is another 1-way loop drive you can take to see some nature and history. Also, you can find Rainbow Falls here which is a really popular waterfall. A bear sighting at the GSMNP makes for a great memory that wont soon be forgotten. However, bears in the Great Smoky Mountains Park are wild creatures and can be dangerously unpredictable. Now I have not raced a bear recently so Ill have to take the internets word for this. This insect defoliates oak trees, weakening them and leaving them susceptible to other insects and diseases which may kill the trees. Bears come out of hibernation and can eat anything during this time. 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. Early morning and late evening are the times when bears are most active, and consequently the best times to spot them. Many are hit by cars and become easy targets for poachers. If you are careless with your food or litter, YOU may be responsible for a bear's death! These creatures are pretty stocky, and they pack on the pounds before winter. Youre likely to see countless species in your vicinity, whether driving along the forest or hiking in the mountains. Call a ranger or visitor center if you spot someone else breaking the rules during their visit. Back away slowly and quietly without disturbing the creature. Over time, these bears may begin approaching people in search of food and may become more unpredictable and dangerous. Most of the snakes you will encounter on your trip to the Peaceful Side of the Smokies are peaceful and reclusive reptiles. Learn more. How visitors behave while in the park has an impact on the safety of bears. Garbage Kills Bears! Hikers should double bag their food in their backpack. It is illegal to get closer than 50 yards to any bear in the national park. 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. 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. A Grand View Lodge #540. 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. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk. Dispose of all food scraps or garbage in bear proof garbage containers or take it home with you. These social groups make river otters playful. Warning: Bears are wild animals that are dangerous and unpredictable. The National Park Service requires you to always stay 50 yards or 150 feet away from wildlife. The adult male river otter also moves around in packs consisting of other males of up to 15 or more. You can watch them in Cades Cove or Cataloochee in the Smoky Mountains in the meadows near forests. If you visit the park there is a very good chance you will encounter one. Here are 5 things you should know about black bears in the Smoky Mountains: 1. LeConte! 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! Dont run and dont turn your back from the black bear. The (Smokies) Great Smoky Mountains Park is home to dozens of wildlife. Browse cabins with pet friendly policies. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Especially a mother with cubs. Increase the distance between you and the bear. 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+ 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 . There is an average of 1,500 black bears, which is about 2 bears every square mile. 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. Throw non-food objects like rocks or sticks. About 1,500 black bears call the park home, for an average of two bears per square mile. In the Smoky Mountains, almost all of the bears are black, but in other regions, the bears can be brown or even cinnamon. One common location is Cades Cove. A bear might stand on its hind legs to get a better view and survey its surroundings. 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. This approach allows bears to remain in their home range, and discourages them from visiting developed areas or approaching people. Cades Cove. 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. Range, and nuts make up approximately 85 % of their diet this encourages further problems the population... ; they like to go the winter Southern Mountains European wild hog one! 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