Use binoculars, telephoto lens, or a spotting scope to view the animals. In the rare case where a bear comes towards you, do not run! 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. Hence, make sure to keep your eyes and ears open to spot them and prevent any accidents when you hike. So dont feed the bears. During this time, they double in weight to protect themselves from the cold. In fact, it's so uncommon that it can be difficult to find many statistics on the subject. Some Timber Rattlesnakes have a solid black hue and can grow up to 4.5 feet long. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 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. Being too close may promote aggressive behavior from the bear such as running toward you, making loud noises, or swatting the ground. Bear Safety: Rule #1 Keep your distance. Not only could bear's food source of acorns be affected, but some of the prime denning spots in old growth trees may be lost. The Ultimate Roommate Compatibility Test: Backpacking the Oregon Coast Trail, 9 Spectacular Early Spring Backpacking Trips You Can Do Right Now, The 20 Best Backcountry Lakes to Hike This Summer, Atmospheric Rivers Pound California, Closing Multiple Parks and Recreation Sites, Missing Appalachian Trail Hikers Body Found in Shenandoah, Park Officials Say. You can learn more about hibernation here. Increase the distance between you and the bear. For more information please read our privacy policy. Whether youre a first-time visitor or a frequent guest, test Smoky Mountains and Pigeon Forgecampgrounds come in many forms. 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. In the year 2000, the Chicago Tribune reported that a woman was killed by a black bear within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, about 10 miles away from Gatlinburg. One common location is Cades Cove. Females give birth to litters averaging 1-10 young in late summer. Violation of this federal regulation can result in fines and arrest. I would say any time in May through September will be your best bet, I saw a young male recently in July. They will avoid hot summer days, preferring to rest in a shady tree or lounge in cooler areas. WildlifeInformer.com is your #1 source for free information about all types of wildlife and exotic pets. As you may know, bears hibernate in the winter. So pack accordingly. Learn what to do if you see a bear by watching this short video. The best time to spot wildlife is at dawn when they come out of hiding to drink from the creeks or look for prey. Want to get listed and grow your business? 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. It is preferable not to hike alone. At this number, this creates a population density of two bears per square mile. Another non-native species, the gypsy moth, is expanding its range toward the park. At mile 5.9, turn right on the Crooked Arm Ridge trail to head back to the parking lot. Commonly known as Bucks in the region, they grow uneven horns every spring; used to fight other deers for mating rights by fall. The mountain Cougars seem shy and withdrawn, so they tend to stay out of sight, but they are dangerous. 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. They confiscate unattended food or coolers and clean up food scraps left behind by careless visitors. Cades Cove. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Although extremely rare, attacks on humans have occurred, inflicting serious injuries and death. Wild berries like blackberries, blueberries, and huckleberries grow throughout the valley and are easy to harvest by bears. The family was asleep in their tent when they awoke at approximately 5:20 a.m. to a bear tearing into their tent. However loss of habitat has resulted in a significant reduction in this range. These bears are omnivores, relying for food on plants like fruits, and grass as well as insects. 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 is a medium to a large venomous snake that lives above 3,000 feet. You can easily spot them at Cataloochee roaming on the grasses as they graze in the open meadows. Others wander in terrestrial environments, including eerie caves in the high mountain forest. The black bear is one of the most popular animals for visitors to spot in Tennessees Smoky Mountains! Don't run, but slowly back away, watching the bear. These three trails are a good place to start. 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. Weight can range from 200 to 600 pounds. Bears do not truly hibernate, but enter long periods of sleep. 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. First and foremost the consensus is to stay calm. Cades Cove is a popular place where many people see black bears. 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 also strictly enforce regulations that prohibit approaching, harassing, disturbing or feeding bears. 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. When the weather turns cold, they vanish from the woods, heading into their dens for a winter of hibernation. Black bears love Cades Cove because it has a suitable ecosystem and a variety of food sources. Bears have color vision and a keen sense of smell. Remember: if it changes its behavior, youre too close. 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. Absolutely not! The (Smokies) Great Smoky Mountains Park is home to dozens of wildlife. Check the "Bear Closures" and "Bear Warnings" section of the Temporary Closures page before planning a hike in the park. They live in social units mostly a mother and her young ones until they mature. 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. There are many places because they are literally all over the place. Please watch this short video. Can You Take Rocks from the Smoky Mountains? Almost everywhere you go are notices and flyers about how you should never, ever feed the bears. Many are hit by cars and become easy targets for poachers. The Bears are mainly vegetarian; they like to eat plants squawroot, insects, wild berries, and nuts are their favorite. Throw non-food objects like rocks or sticks. Often, they must be euthanized. 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? 865-436-7318, EXT 320. You cant touch them since you would be interfering with the breathing system. 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. A Grand View Lodge #540. Hence, depending on your luck, you may spot a bear! There are hundreds of miles of marked trails in the Great Smoky Mountains; stay on them and be aware of your surroundings. In the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, biologists estimate there are about 1,500 black bears. 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. It is relatively thick, with black or brown cross bands with chestnut, gray or yellow light backgrounds. 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! Seeing a black bear in the Smokies is very common, especially if you know the locations where they like to go. So on your next trip, be sure to carry binoculars and a camera, keep a safe distance from the bears and you will certainly have the trip of a lifetime! These creatures can be about 6 feet long and three feet tall at the shoulder. Do not approach within 50 yards or close enough to disturb the bear. 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. As cute and cuddly as bears may appear, please remember they are wild animals and can be very dangerous when they feel threatened. Black bears double their weight in the fall months. Make yourselves look as large as possible (for example, move to higher ground). Campers should not burn food scraps or trash at any fire pit or grill. If you love to hike, you might even see black bears along the trails. If you see a bear before it sees you, don't approach. Gatlinburg However, if you are ever attacked you should not play dead. Dont run and dont turn your back from the black bear. They also tend to sleep for lengthy periods, although not hibernating in the true sense, as they may come out of their dens on warmer days. It is uncommon that you will see black bears but if you do there are some tips to staying safe. Photo: "Clingmans Dome (AKA Smoky Dome) - Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee, USA" by jody.claborn is marked with CC PDM 1.0. Home Blog Smoky Mountain Wildlife 6 Facts You Should Know About Black Bears in the Smoky Mountains. Treat bear encounters with extreme caution! Mule Deer Vs. Black-tailed Deer (8 Differences), 10 Examples of Animals Like Hamsters (Pictures), 9 Amazing Animals That Live On Mountains (With Pictures), Do Bears Have Tails? Its a local saying. Another place to see a bear is Ober Gatlinburg. This is a myth, it didnt work out too well for Leo DiCaprio either. Do not approach bears or allow them to approach you! About 85% of their diet is from plants, though. How visitors behave while in the park has an impact on the safety of bears. LeConte! You should yell or throw a rock; they usually run away. Poaching activities can be somewhat curtailed, and bear populations can eventually rebound from the losses. We all know bears hibernate in the winter. 11 Common Animals in the Great Smoky Mountains, 8 Best ATV & UTV Rentals in Smoky Mountains 2023. Willfully approaching a bear within 150 feet is illegal in the park. In fact, its they are so rare that it can be difficult to find statistics on bear attack. Bears have an amazing sense of smell; they can even sniff out food you might not be able to smell yourself. Wildlife managers actively monitor for bear activity and use innovative and proactive techniques to keep bears shy, secretive, and afraid of people. Mating usually takes place in July. Its a 5.4 mile round trip hike and is rated as moderately strenuous. 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! The park is one of the largest protected areas where black bears live in the wild in the eastern United States. Some bears in the park have even been documented to weigh over 600 pounds! A three-year-old girl and mother both sustained superficial lacerations . Allow 2-4 hours time for this excursion, maybe more if you plan on doing a bit of exploring or having a picnic perhaps. 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! Bears that obtain human food and garbage damage property and injure people. 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! Do not approach the black bear and dont the bear approach you, Act natural if the bear is at a distance, eating or is walking past you, Dont get too close as this could encourage aggressive behavior, Dont run away from the bear, slowly back away and dont take your eyes off the bear. Animals around the Cades Cove include black bears, deer, coyotes and many more. 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. 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. They are wild animals and can be unpredictable. Black bears can live anywhere from 12-15 years. The Smokies are also rich in wildlife with over 412 different types of animals residing here. Hikers on their morning trips or afternoon hikes often report seeing black bears hanging out in the tree line. With numbers like that your odds of seeing a bear are pretty good, but picking the right spot can stack the deck. Coyotes grow to about 4 feet in length and weigh up to 50 pounds. So it is best to just do the right thing and go the other way. This is for both your safety and the bears safety! Stay calm. Other Threats to Bears This is the only Mountain lion in the Smoky Mountains. Especially a mother with cubs. 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? I think if you are sensible about bear encounters, keep your distance, and follow the guidelines in the link above, it is not something you would ever have to seriously worry about. For protein, black bears will eat Insects and animal carrion. If the bear continues to follow you, stand your ground. 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. Source: @carlosfineartphoto Feeding bears or allowing them access to human food and garbage causes a number of problems: For these reasons, park rangers issue citations for littering, feeding bears, and for improper food storage. 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. However, bears in the Great Smoky Mountains Park are wild creatures and can be dangerously unpredictable. Most of these incidents were related to hungry bears attacking humans for their food. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the largest protected areas in the east of the United States. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina. 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. as adults. 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. Another one of the top places to see bears in the Smoky Mountains is along Newfound Gap Road, which is also known as Highway 441. A Wondrous Diversity of Life. Black bears can be seen throughout the year except rarely during the winter months. Watch. They are deadly snakes, so do not approach or attempt to kill if you see one. As a precaution, you can also carry bear pepper spray for your protection, but be sure not to mishandle it. It is estimated that about 1,500 black bears live in the national park. The oldest known black bear lived to be 39. Although their bite is not lethal, it causes intense pain. Another spot where bear sightings are commonly reported is Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. Fight back with anything you have at your disposal, make loud noises. The symbol of the Smokies, the American Black Bear, is perhaps the most famous resident of the park. Female black bears in the Smoky Mountains average around 100 pounds, while the males hover around 250 pounds. It is estimated that around 1,500 bears live inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Keep an eye out for tracks, scat, digs, and trees that bears have rubbed. Here are some easy tips to remember when hiking, picnicking, camping or visiting The Smoky Mountains. Before the center opened, news crews . There are 412 types of animals present in these mountains, But are there bears in the smoky mountains? Bears inhabit all elevations of the park. Also, you can find Rainbow Falls here which is a really popular waterfall. Before their hibernation, they can double their body weight! 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+ If you brought it with you, then pack it out! Remember, "a fed bear is a dead bear". They are immensely athletic, run at incredible speeds, and can quickly leap over an 8-foot fence. It is home to black bears, who inhabit the elevations of the park. 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. Bear proof dumpsters or trash cans can be found in all campgrounds and picnic areas. This could result in a person being injured and the bear being euthanized. 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! This massive park stretches over 522,427 acres of mountains, lush forests, streams, and valleys. However, in the fall, their weight almost doubles. Bears attacks are usually caused by food, as they can get very hungry and desperate for food. Sign up for Outside+ today. Don't discharge a firearm; this can cause a safety hazardfor other visitors. Black bears are perhaps the most "famous" wildlife in the Smoky Mountains (photo by Tom Middleton/shutterstock.com) 1. Many people think black bears in the Smoky Mountains are carnivores, but they are actually omnivores! Another place where many bear sightings are reported is Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. 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. There are around 1500-1600 black bears living in the Smoky Mountains National Park. Coyotes are somewhat timid and afraid of humans at first glance, but can be dangerous if you cozy up to them. The drive also includes scenic overlooks, hiking trails, picnic areas and even a waterfall that can be seen from the road! Start from the Gregory Ridge Trailhead, passing backcountry site 12 at mile 2 (make a. to extend your trip from a day to a weekend). The black bears of Great Smoky Mountains are unusual in their den choicesthey often den several feet off the ground in standing hollow trees. The best time to see elks is at dawn or dusk, after a long night of rest and bright and early when they roam about looking for fresh wet pastures in the fords. Keep your distance. Do not run away from black bears as this may trigger a chase response. The park is one of the largest protected areas where black bears live in the wild in the eastern United States. The Timber Rattler is not known to be lethal. They can also teach other bears this dangerous behavior. Keeping your distance prevents the bears from becoming disturbed, and keeps you and the bears safe. Otters skillfully wade through the water at great speed using their tail in search of prey. If you travel to Gatlinburg expecting to see black bears everywhere you go, you may be disappointed. Many visitors to Great Smoky Mountains National Park hope to catch at least one glimpse of the parks famous black bear! 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