Black bears love Cades Cove because it has a suitable ecosystem and a variety of food sources. 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. How Common are Bear Attacks in Smoky Mountains? Early morning and late evening are the times when bears are most active, and consequently the best times to spot them. 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. The females are much smaller, weighing around only 100-120 lbs. These creatures are pretty stocky, and they pack on the pounds before winter. Please watch this short video. LeConte! 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. In the Smoky Mountains, almost all of the bears are black, but in other regions, the bears can be brown or even cinnamon. They are immensely athletic, run at incredible speeds, and can quickly leap over an 8-foot fence. At a safe distance of at least 150 feet this is a good opportunity to enjoy the sight before quietly moving away. Everyone wants to see a black bear while they are visiting, and we want to share some interesting things about these beautiful creatures! Treat bear encounters with extreme caution! A Guide to the Road to Nowhere, Smoky Mountains. Increase the distance between you and the bear. They are timid, nocturnal cats; you most likely wont see them at all during the day. It is estimated that about 1,500 black bears live in the national park. Wildlife Informer is reader-supported. The idea is to "make yourself big" and scare the bear away. They are wild animals and can be unpredictable. With a population density of 2 bears per square mile, it's highly likely you'll run into one of these creatures while you're exploring the Smokies. Though populations are variable, biologists estimate that roughly 1,900 bears live in the park. 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. Again, never feed or throw food to the bears. 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. Otters skillfully wade through the water at great speed using their tail in search of prey. A Wondrous Diversity of Life. Here are the top 4 places to see bears in the Smoky Mountains: Cades Cove is one of the most popular destinations in see black bears in the Smoky Mountains, and the area is easily accessible with the 11 mile loop road. These Photos Prove It. 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. Consider traveling with a group, as groups can be noisier and easier to detect. The Smoky Mountain area is one of the few places in the United States where wild black bears can be found living in their natural habitat. 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. The American black bear might as well be the mascot of the Smoky Mountains! 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. This is taken very seriously in the Smokies and I suggest you take it seriously as well. 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. In 2020, WKRN reported that at least 40 incidents occurred relating to bears attacking humans. Feeding bears in the Smokies by the way is a big no-no and illegal. 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. An army of park volunteers patrol the park's most popular trails, picnic areas, and campgrounds to educate visitors about protecting bears. Bearpacker is Backpackers annual celebration of bear safety, science, and stories. 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. Fight back with anything you have at your disposal, make loud noises. Join Outside+ to get access to exclusive content, 1,000s of training plans, and more. 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. NPS photo. We all know bears hibernate in the winter. Please use them to dispose of garbage. Here are the top 4 places to see bears in the Smoky Mountains: 1. A Grand View Lodge #540. Its hard to say whos more excited about the blueberries crowding this peak every August, the hikers or the bears. Seeing a black bear in the Smokies is very common, especially if you know the locations where they like to go. These bears pose a risk to public safety. LeConte! 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. The bear is demanding more space. 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}. Bears have color vision and a keen sense of smell. Although extremely rare, attacks on humans have occurred, inflicting serious injuries and death. Humans are discouraged from feeding them because it reduces their lifespan significantly. 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. Learn more. The main thing you should take away from this is that you cannot outrun a bear. You may notice some brown fur around the black fur, too. Warning: Bears are wild animals that are dangerous and unpredictable. One common location is Cades Cove. If you want to see black bears during your visit, we recommend heading to the Smoky Mountains during Spring or Summer. You may think black bears in the Smoky Mountains only eat . Since the national park is 800 sq. The Great Smoky Mountains largest animal, the elk, weighs up to 700 pounds with a height of 5 Ft. at shoulder length. Most of these incidents were related to hungry bears attacking humans for their food. About 85 percent of their diet is berries, plants, and nuts. Before the center opened, news crews . There are around 1500-1600 black bears living in the Smoky Mountains National Park. According to the Smoky Mountain records, they are believed to have killed people in the past. Black bears double their weight in the fall months. Everyone wants to know where you are likely to see black bears in the Smoky Mountains. It can also make the bear too brave and result in a bear attack. So pack accordingly. 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. If you love to hike, you might even see black bears along the trails. If a bear charges at you, they say not to run. 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! Make yourselves look as large as possible (for example, move to higher ground). Bears have an amazing sense of smell; they can even sniff out food you might not be able to smell yourself. Provided that you escape the encounter, immediately report it to a park ranger or the Wildlife Resources Office. Can You Take Rocks from the Smoky Mountains? You can drive around on the loop and possibly see them passing through fields or even see them near the historic buildings or along the creek. See winners from every year of the contest. They also feast on dead animals and prey on deer. Back away slowly and quietly without disturbing the creature. For protein, black bears will eat Insects and animal carrion. It can really vary based on how available food is but generally black bears will go into hibernation sometime around September October and remain dormant through April. They live in social units mostly a mother and her young ones until they mature. 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. The icing on the cake is the presence of over 20,000 different species, which is any nature enthusiasts dream come true. If you travel to Gatlinburg expecting to see black bears everywhere you go, you may be disappointed. More black bears live within the national park than anywhere else in the country. This means that bear sightings in the park are not uncommon, especially during the early morning and late evening hours in . 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. Do not approach within 50 yards or close enough to disturb the bear. Commonly born in pairs, the cubs will remain with the mother for about eighteen months or until she mates again. Many people think black bears in the Smoky Mountains are carnivores, but they are actually omnivores! At the onset of winter, deers drop their horns and develop fresh ones. This is a medium to a large venomous snake that lives above 3,000 feet. 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. In fact, it's so uncommon that it can be difficult to find many statistics on the subject. Females give birth to litters averaging 1-10 young in late summer. During this time, they double in weight to protect themselves from the cold. 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. Their diet mostly consists of plants like berries and nuts, but they do seek animals and insects as a source of protein. You are more likely to see them during the spring-summer months at sunrise and after sunset. Most of the snakes you will encounter on your trip to the Peaceful Side of the Smokies are peaceful and reclusive reptiles. This massive park stretches over 522,427 acres of mountains, lush forests, streams, and valleys. Bobcats have spotted coats, short ears, and stubby tails. " The black bear is the symbol of the Smokies ," says wildlife biologist Bill Stiver. In some areas the number of bears that have to be trapped and moved away has decreased by ten fold! 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. Take care of your own safety: Consider carrying bear spray, make noise when passing around blind corners or through thick brush, and observe from a distance. Grizzly bears can only be found in a few states in the US, including Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. If your presence causes the bear to change its behavior (stops feeding, changes its travel direction, watches you, etc.) With over 1,500 bears throughout the national park, they are by far one of the most popular animals in the area. However, unlike popular belief, black bears are rarely aggressive towards people. They cant be found anywhere near Tennessee or North Carolina where the Smoky Mountains are located. Use binoculars, telephoto lens, or a spotting scope to view the animals. Dont make sudden movements that could startle or disturb the bear. Learn More About Black Bear Research in the Park. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk. Bears just like their space and mind their business, so just allow them that and all should be well! 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. Wildlife managers actively monitor for bear activity and use innovative and proactive techniques to keep bears shy, secretive, and afraid of people. He was obviously begging for food, someone must have been dropping him snacks. When it comes to dealing with bears in the Smokies, common sense is key. Bears in the Smokies are unusual in that they often den high above the ground in standing hollow trees. The best time to encounter Bears is in the spring and summer. If a bear approaches, stand your ground, clap loudly, wave your arms around and yell. In this article, we have lined up some of the most common animals in the Smoky Mountains in no particular order.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smokymtnopry_com-box-4','ezslot_4',174,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-box-4-0'); Nearly 1,500 black bears live in the Smoky Mountains national park. Learn what to do if you see a bear by watching this short video. 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. Copperheads are shy and tend to hide from open view. While seeing these creatures is never guaranteed, there are places where you are more likely to see them. They provide spectacular views from waterfalls to lush forests and a way to look closely into the wilderness. Food can be kept inside the cabin, just as long as the windows and doors are kept closed. The best time to spot wildlife is at dawn when they come out of hiding to drink from the creeks or look for prey. The park is one of the largest protected areas where black bears live in the wild in the eastern United States. Bears attacks are usually caused by food, as they can get very hungry and desperate for food. Consider hanging items at least 10 feet up or investing in a bear-proof cooler or storage container. However, if you are ever attacked you should not play dead. 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. Violation of this federal regulation can result in fines and arrest. According to bear.org, black bears hibernate for up to 7.5 months a year. 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. They confiscate unattended food or coolers and clean up food scraps left behind by careless visitors. You can watch them in Cades Cove or Cataloochee in the Smoky Mountains in the meadows near forests. Use the food storage cables to store your food and garbage when camping. 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