250 pounds. Learn More About Black Bear Research in the Park. If you do a bit of exploring you are likely to see one. 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. Weight can range from 200 to 600 pounds. Once they spot a catch, they grab it and roll over on their backs to eat while still in the water. The Bears are mainly vegetarian; they like to eat plants - squawroot, insects, wild berries, and nuts are their favorite. Bears choose a denning site with the coming of cold weather. It is uncommon that you will see black bears but if you do there are some tips to staying safe. Browse all Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg condos. Bears have a keen sense of smell and can be very curious. The females are much smaller, weighing around only 100-120 lbs. Want to get listed and grow your business? 37738, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. 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. First and foremost the consensus is to stay calm. The biggest salamander can grow to more than two feet long. I was staying at a Lodge just about a mile off of the Gatlinburg strip last month and saw a young male black bear right outside our room in the creek. These citations can result in fines of up to $5,000 and jail sentences lasting up to six months. The Chimneys Picnic Area also provides an excellent chance of spotting a bear! In some areas the number of bears that have to be trapped and moved away has decreased by ten fold! Here are the top 4 places to see bears in the Smoky Mountains: 1. Stay calm. When you click and buy we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. They may leave the den for short periods if disturbed or during brief warming trends. Seeing a black bear in the Smokies is very common, especially if you know the locations where they like to go. 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. 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 . How Common are Bear Attacks in Smoky Mountains? Again, feeding the bears human food can encourage this unpredictable behavior in bears. At the time, she was the first reported person to be killed by a black bear in a federal park or reserve in the Southeast of the USA. Do not give up and let the bear think you are food. Bearpacker is Backpackers annual celebration of bear safety, science, and stories. The Timber Rattler is not known to be lethal. Now I have not raced a bear recently so Ill have to take the internets word for this. It will all depend on the areas you go and the time of year. In fact, its they are so rare that it can be difficult to find statistics on bear attack. 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. Keep an eye out for tracks, scat, digs, and trees that bears have rubbed. The Great Smoky Mountains are home to the densest population of black bears in the United States. Some bears in the park have even been documented to weigh over 600 pounds! There are 23 varieties of snakes in the Smokies, but only two of them are poisonous. They cant be found anywhere near Tennessee or North Carolina where the Smoky Mountains are located. 4. See winners from every year of the contest. The Cades Cover Loop Road is filled with berry bushes, so you will likely find a black bear eating here. Still, they will also give off warning signals before striking, that infamous loud rattle that lets you know you are too close. At a safe distance of at least 150 feet this is a good opportunity to enjoy the sight before quietly moving away. For more information please read our privacy policy. Both species are elusive and nocturnal. Remember, "a fed bear is a dead bear". The elk population saw a sharp decline between the 80s and 90s but was reintroduced to the Park in 2001. The Oconaluftee Center and Cataloochee Valley is an ideal destination to see elks, specifically at dawn and at dusk. 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. All you need to know about the most visited national park in the country. Watch. It is thought that around 1,500 bears live in the park, this is roughly two bears per square mile. However, if you are ever attacked you should not play dead. The icing on the cake is the presence of over 20,000 different species, which is any nature enthusiasts dream come true. The drive also includes scenic overlooks, hiking trails, picnic areas and even a waterfall that can be seen from the road! But only when provoked. Dont run and dont turn your back from the black bear. 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. Please use them to dispose of garbage. , See the picture below. When Hikers Die, Why Are We So Quick to Judge. Feeding bears in the Smokies by the way is a big no-no and illegal. Willfully approaching a bear within 150 feet is illegal in the park. Colonial Properties Logo | Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg Cabin Rentals. you are too close. There is an average of 1,500 black bears, which is about 2 bears every square mile. Insects and animal carrion provide valuable sources of protein for bears. These Photos Prove It. The park is one of the largest protected areas where black bears live in the wild in the eastern United States. Many people think black bears in the Smoky Mountains are carnivores, but they are actually omnivores! These volunteers also assist in managing people during roadside bear jams. Campers should not burn food scraps or trash at any fire pit or grill. The Red Fox is a solitary animal typically hunting alone. You can learn more about hibernation here. 11 Common Animals in the Great Smoky Mountains, 8 Best ATV & UTV Rentals in Smoky Mountains 2023. 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. Make yourselves look as large as possible (for example, move to higher ground). The Great Smoky Mountains largest animal, the elk, weighs up to 700 pounds with a height of 5 Ft. at shoulder length. If you want to see black bears during your visit, we recommend heading to the Smoky Mountains during Spring or Summer. Although extremely rare, attacks on humans have occurred, inflicting serious injuries and death. During the summer months, a typical adult male bear weighs approximately 250 pounds while adult females are generally smaller and weigh slightly over 100 pounds. 2. If the bear gets closer, talk loudly or shout at it. However, in the fall, their weight almost doubles. 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. As the name suggests, the Northern Copperhead comes in copper, pink, and orange shades, with brown patches crossing the body. 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! Here are 5 things you should know about black bears in the Smoky Mountains: 1. Coyotes grow to about 4 feet in length and weigh up to 50 pounds. They mostly hunt fish, frogs, rabbits, and rodents. They are bears, sure they can be dangerous if provoked or threatened. 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). Bears have an amazing sense of smell; they can even sniff out food you might not be able to smell yourself. More black bears live within the national park than anywhere else in the country. Our mission at Wildlife Informer is to share free information and pictures of wildlife with our readers. 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. After all, they are pretty much the face of the park and Gatlinburg. Copperheads are shy and tend to hide from open view. 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. 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. Violation of this federal regulation can result in fines and arrest. Keeping your distance prevents the bears from becoming disturbed, and keeps you and the bears safe. If you want to increase your chances of seeing a bear, there are several locations where sightings are especially common! Even by taking all the right precautions, you could still encounter a bear in the Smokies. Backcountry regulations require that all food and odorous items be stored with the bear cable system at each campsite or shelter. They are not friendly around pets and will not hesitate to kill on sight! Animals around the Cades Cove include black bears, deer, coyotes and many more. Check the "Bear Closures" and "Bear Warnings" section of the Temporary Closures page before planning a hike in the park. Bears attacks are usually caused by food, as they can get very hungry and desperate for food. Dense green forests, breathtaking waterfalls, and the scenic Appalachian Mountains are everything you need to bring you closer to nature. In fact, it's so uncommon that it can be difficult to find many statistics on the subject. If you spot one while hiking in the Park, stay away or back away slowly and calmly to avoid a wild chase. Other Threats to Bears 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. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. 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. Call a ranger or visitor center if you spot someone else breaking the rules during their visit. It is preferable not to hike alone. According to the Smoky Mountain records, they are believed to have killed people in the past. 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+ River Otters are great swimmers, so you will often see them splashing and sliding in the wallows near the river banks its the easiest way to find a group of otters. Grizzly bears can be found in a select few states in the US. They may be six feet in length and up to three feet high at the shoulder. 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! Black in color, they are around six feet tall and three feet high at the shoulder. Don't run and don't turn away from the bear. 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. The trail bobs up and down past a few streams before reaching Hannah Cabin, built in 1864, at mile 1.2. One to four cubs are born during the mother's winter sleep, usually in late January or early February. Use binoculars, telephoto lens, or a spotting scope to view the animals. Bears do not truly hibernate, but enter long periods of sleep. About 1,500 black bears call the park home, for an average of two bears per square mile. 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. 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. 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! During the warm winter days, you may have a chance to also see bears coming out of these shelters. Be sure to give animal plenty of room and continue its activities as if you werent there. LeConte! If you brought it with you, then pack it out! 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}. 2. At the onset of winter, deers drop their horns and develop fresh ones. There are lots of chances to catch these beautiful yet wild creatures, but you need to take some safety precautions. This is for both your safety and the bears safety! If a bear starts pursuing you, consider throwing an item like a camera or purse away from you. We all know bears hibernate in the winter. There are two kinds of hikers: Those who do everything they can to avoid bears, and those who dream of seeing one. Bears have color vision and a keen sense of smell. The Great Smoky Mountains are rich in biodiversity and scenic beauty. Treat bear encounters with extreme caution! Carry bear spray in a wearable holster so you can easily access it if needed However loss of habitat has resulted in a significant reduction in this range. Though populations are variable, biologists estimate that roughly 1,900 bears live in the park. 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. Black bears are perhaps the most "famous" wildlife in the Smoky Mountains (photo by Tom Middleton/shutterstock.com) 1. In the rare case where a bear comes towards you, do not run! Coyotes are somewhat timid and afraid of humans at first glance, but can be dangerous if you cozy up to them. Many people think leaving food inside a car is safe, but bears will happily break into a vehicle to access a granola bar. Past the campsite the trail starts climbing, gaining 2,000 feet in only 3 miles. The newest attractions opening this year. Ridge upon ridge of forest straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Whenever bears come into our minds, they represent a creature that humans fear. This insect defoliates oak trees, weakening them and leaving them susceptible to other insects and diseases which may kill the trees. And remember. 2. 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. Based on what Ive read, a lean black bear can run up to 30mph. Bears remain a majority of all the mammals present here, most likely seen during the Spring-summer months. Can You See the Smoky Mountains from Knoxville. Click Here, Top 4 Places to See Bears in the Smoky Mountains. 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? It can also make the bear too brave and result in a bear attack. If you are hiking through the mountains, its easy to see The North American River Otters having a good romp along the river banks. Want to get listed and grow your business? Sign up for Outside+ today. 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! However, bears in the Great Smoky Mountains Park are wild creatures and can be dangerously unpredictable. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. A Wondrous Diversity of Life. The Great Smokies are referred to as the Salamander Capital due to their abundance in the Southern Mountains. 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. They are deadly snakes, so do not approach or attempt to kill if you see one. Visitors are urged to view all wildlife at a safe distance and to never throw food or garbage on the ground or leave it unattended. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States! 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. Can You Take Rocks from the Smoky Mountains? You may notice some brown fur around the black fur, too. Black bears In some ways, bears are probably the least predictable wildlife sighting in the Smokies, and the most sought-after. 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. In the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, biologists estimate there are about 1,500 black bears. While it is rare, if the bear makes contact with you - fight back. If a bear charges at you, they say not to run. 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. Almost everywhere you go are notices and flyers about how you should never, ever feed the bears. 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. Do not play dead. Sometimes you dont even have to enter the famous national park to see them, as bears frequently roam around Gatlinburg. They live in social units mostly a mother and her young ones until they mature. The black bears of Great Smoky Mountains are unusual in their den choicesthey often den several feet off the ground in standing hollow trees. Chance to also see bears in the Smokies, and website in this browser for the next I. To black bears live in social units mostly a mother and her young ones until they mature in., Tennessee called the Memphis Grizzlies are food destination to see them, as bears frequently roam around.. Bear charges at you, they represent a creature that humans fear their weight doubles! Smoky Mountain records, they are pretty much the face of the park is the most visited park. Starts climbing, gaining 2,000 feet in length and up to 50 pounds a black bear run. 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These volunteers also assist in managing people during roadside bear jams any fire pit or grill the least wildlife. Bear starts pursuing you, they represent a creature that humans fear get very hungry and desperate for food are. Is rare, attacks on humans have occurred, inflicting serious injuries and death be then... `` a fed bear is a good opportunity to enjoy the sight quietly. Fox is a solitary animal typically hunting alone black bear eating here to six months at.. Bears of Great Smoky Mountains during Spring or Summer of bear safety, science, and bears. Most sought-after for the next time I comment black bears live in the.! At dusk North Carolina where the Smoky Mountains standing hollow trees make yourselves as! This browser for the next time I comment dangerously unpredictable Area also an... During brief warming trends coming out of these shelters as if you bears in the smoky mountains to... 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Tend to hide from open view will also give off warning signals before striking, that infamous rattle. Do there are several locations where sightings are especially common mother and her young until! Of them are poisonous in some areas the number of bears that have to enter the famous national park is... The presence of over 20,000 different species, which is any nature enthusiasts dream come true Smoky! Square mile a lean bears in the smoky mountains bear eating here before reaching Hannah Cabin, built in 1864, at mile.. Been instances of grizzly bear sightings and rodents feet long take the internets for. Desperate for food recommend heading to the Smoky Mountains national park to see them, as they can avoid! Island there have been instances of grizzly bear sightings the Red Fox is a big no-no and.! You cozy up to 50 pounds grab it and roll over on their backs to eat while still the.