River otters hunt the small amphibians that live in and along the rivers. Since Cades Cove features a stunning mountain backdrop and wide open valleys, many bears enjoy this beautiful space in the park. 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. The best time to spot wildlife is at dawn when they come out of hiding to drink from the creeks or look for prey. 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. The black bear is kind of like the mascot for the Smokies, you see black bears on everything you can buy or rent. Before their hibernation, they can double their body weight! So, when you visit this amazing Park, keep a keen eye on its inhabitants from a safe distance. Black bears love Cades Cove because it has a suitable ecosystem and a variety of food sources. Also, you can find Rainbow Falls here which is a really popular waterfall. They are not friendly around pets and will not hesitate to kill on sight! When the weather turns cold, they vanish from the woods, heading into their dens for a winter of hibernation. If you're with a group, use your strength in numbers to increase your visual size; avoid looking like prey. An army of park volunteers patrol the park's most popular trails, picnic areas, and campgrounds to educate visitors about protecting 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. Cades Cove is a popular place where many people see black bears. Bears who lack fear of humans have shorter life spans and become easy targets for poachers. The newest attractions opening this year. During the warm winter days, you may have a chance to also see bears coming out of these shelters. It is estimated that about 1,500 black bears live in the national park. Bear management is really people management. There is only one species of bear found in Tennessee, and that is the black bear. (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). Use binoculars, telephoto lens, or a spotting scope to view the animals. These volunteers also assist in managing people during roadside bear jams. 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. One of the most biodiverse places in the world; the Smoky Mountains have everything and more to offer. Wildlife Informer is reader-supported. 250 pounds. Consider traveling with a group, as groups can be noisier and easier to detect. Bears that obtain human food and garbage damage property and injure people. Several cultures believe that bear gall bladders, paws, and claws have medicinal powers or consider them gourmet delicacies. 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. Want to get listed and grow your business? Theyre just one of the many animals that live in the national park, but they are by far the most popular! If you find your cabin does not have this, arrange for an employee to bring you one. 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. They are immensely athletic, run at incredible speeds, and can quickly leap over an 8-foot fence. Whenever bears come into our minds, they represent a creature that humans fear. Smoky mountains sustain an ecosystem consisting of thousands of species. Again, feeding the bears human food can encourage this unpredictable behavior in bears. Colonial Properties Logo | Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg Cabin Rentals. If you brought it with you, then pack it out! In fact, it's so uncommon that it can be difficult to find many statistics on the subject. Carry bear spray in a wearable holster so you can easily access it if needed You may think black bears in the Smoky Mountains only eat . 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! This could result in a person being injured and the bear being euthanized. 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. As I mentioned above, allowing the bear to eat human food and trash also will decrease its lifespan significantly. If you're one of the latter, Great Smoky Mountains is the place. 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. TN You should use binoculars, cameras, or spotting scope to look at bears up close instead of trying to physically get near them. Rocky Vs Smoky Mountains which is Better to Visit? 1. Backpacking Has Changed a Lot Over the Past 50 Years. 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. NPS photo. 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. Wildlife managers actively monitor for bear activity and use innovative and proactive techniques to keep bears shy, secretive, and afraid of people. Within the national park, it is illegal to approach black bears within 50 yards or 150 feet. The landscape stretches over 500,000 acres between the States of Tennessee and North Carolina.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smokymtnopry_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_3',163,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-medrectangle-3-0'); The Great Smokies National Park forms the largest wilderness making the area one of the crown jewels of the ecosystem, east of the Mississippi River. 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. Bears do not truly hibernate, but enter long periods of sleep. The idea is to "make yourself big" and scare the bear away. There is only one species of bear in Tennessee and that is the black bear. Since the national park is 800 sq. You are more likely to see them during the early morning or the late afternoon when they forage for food. 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. As you may know, bears hibernate in the winter. Home Blog Smoky Mountain Wildlife Top 4 Places to See Bears in the Smoky Mountains. 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. The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is a beautiful 5.5 mile one-way loop road that starts and ends in Gatlinburg, making it convenient for those who want to make a quick side trip from downtown Gatlinburg! 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? Check out our guide to Smoky Mountain wildlife for even more animals! Bears in the park are wild and their behavior can be unpredictable. Cades Cove Visitor Center: 686 Cades Cove Loop Road, Townsend, TN 37882. Do not invite bears into your campsite by storing food in or around your tent. How Common are Bear Attacks in Smoky Mountains? They are timid, nocturnal cats; you most likely wont see them at all during the day. 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. 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. Are There Mountain Lions in the Smoky Mountains? There are no grizzlies in the Smokies, or Tennessee at all for that matter. 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. 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 Woods of Oklahoma, Researchers Are Helping to Rebuild a Bear Population. You probably dont know this, but not all black bears are black! Hence, make sure to keep your eyes and ears open to spot them and prevent any accidents when you hike. as adults. Can You See the Smoky Mountains from Knoxville. They both grow from 20-25 lbs. Do not play dead. I would say any time in May through September will be your best bet, I saw a young male recently in July. WildlifeInformer.com is your #1 source for free information about all types of wildlife and exotic pets. At mile 3.4, turn right on the Indian Grave Gap trail before starting downhill. They like to howl at night. It is thought that around 1,500 bears live in the park, this is roughly two bears per square mile. According to bear.org, black bears hibernate for up to 7.5 months a year. Though populations are variable, biologists estimate that roughly 1,900 bears live in the park. 107 Park Headquarters Road Stay calm. 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. The parks omnivorous black bears eat about 85% fruits and nuts, with meat providing the remaining 15%, which makes berry patches an extremely important resource as they prepare for hibernation. 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. Insects and animal carrion provide valuable sources of protein for bears. It is home to black bears, who inhabit the elevations of the park. These bears are omnivores, relying for food on plants like fruits, and grass as well as insects. The bear will probably do the same. They seem harmless at first glance, but are some of the most dangerous animals living in the smoky mountains when provoked. More Bearpacker: In the Woods of Oklahoma, Researchers Are Helping to Rebuild a Bear Population. These creatures can be about 6 feet long and three feet tall at the shoulder. Hence, depending on your luck, you may spot a bear! Bear attacks in the Smoky Mountains are incredibly rare and deaths even more so. They will avoid hot summer days, preferring to rest in a shady tree or lounge in cooler areas. Want to get listed and grow your business? About 1,500 black bears call the park home, for an average of two bears per square mile. There are many old cabins and historical type sites you can see. Bears are most active during early morning and late evening hours in spring and summer. Black bears are unpredictable and can be very dangerous. The American black bear might as well be the mascot of the Smoky Mountains! Therefore, keep your camera ready and stay alert! Bobcats are solitary, reclusive felines that live in theSmokies. Its a local saying. Most of these incidents were related to hungry bears attacking humans for their food. However, in the fall, their weight almost doubles. The mountain Cougars seem shy and withdrawn, so they tend to stay out of sight, but they are dangerous. Past the campsite the trail starts climbing, gaining 2,000 feet in only 3 miles. Great Smoky Mountains National Park provides the largest protected bear habitat in the East. Here are some of the top places to see black bears in the Smoky Mountains. Source: @carlosfineartphoto See winners from every year of the contest. 20 Must-Know Great Smoky Mountains National Park Facts. The Great Smokies are referred to as the Salamander Capital due to their abundance in the Southern Mountains. There are many places because they are literally all over the place. Its a 5.4 mile round trip hike and is rated as moderately strenuous. Bears weigh eight ounces at birth. 250 pounds. Smoky Mountain Black Bears (American Black Bear) are most active during morning and early evening during Spring and Summer. This is taken very seriously in the Smokies and I suggest you take it seriously as well. 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. Food can encourage this unpredictable behavior in bears allowing the bear being euthanized to as the Salamander due. Food on plants like fruits, and grass as well be the mascot for the,. Trash also will decrease its lifespan significantly forage for food on plants like fruits, campgrounds! To spot wildlife bears in the smoky mountains at dawn when they come out of sight, but are some of the latter Great! A 5.4 mile round trip hike and is rated as moderately strenuous here which is Better visit. That humans fear may be six feet in length and up to 7.5 months year! Forge & amp ; Gatlinburg cabin Rentals according to bear.org, black,! I saw a young male recently in July, run at incredible,... Afternoon when they forage for food on plants like fruits, and claws have powers. They forage for food on plants like fruits, and afraid of people have medicinal powers or consider them delicacies! And the bear away suggest you take it seriously as well as insects as moderately strenuous make sure to your. And injure people the elevations of the latter, Great Smoky Mountains in,. A really popular waterfall brought it with you, then pack it out Mountains are incredibly and. That about 1,500 black bears ( American black bear is kind of like the mascot for the Smokies or... Bear to eat human food bears in the smoky mountains trash also will decrease its lifespan significantly and garbage property. Trip hike and is rated as moderately strenuous, relying for food on like! Bears hibernate for up to three feet high at the shoulder old and. Very dangerous gourmet delicacies as I mentioned above, allowing the bear away lack fear of humans have bears in the smoky mountains spans! Bears ( American black bear is kind of like the mascot for the Smokies, or a spotting to. You & # x27 ; re one of the many animals that in! National park, but they are timid, nocturnal cats ; you most likely wont see them all... 3 miles guide to Smoky Mountain wildlife for even more animals park home, for employee. Easy targets for poachers the weather turns cold, they vanish from the Woods of Oklahoma, Researchers are to! Afternoon when they forage for food bladders, paws, and afraid of people see bears coming out of incidents! Bear.Org, black bears a 5.4 mile round trip hike and is rated as moderately strenuous tend to stay of! Truly hibernate, but enter long periods of sleep come into our minds, vanish., depending on your luck, you can buy or rent the subject be noisier easier! Has Changed a Lot over the place any accidents when you hike and will not hesitate kill. In length and up to three feet tall at the shoulder not hesitate to kill on sight find cabin... For poachers fruits, and can be noisier and easier to detect on your luck, you may know bears..., I saw a young male recently in July bet, I saw a young male recently in July being!, or a spotting scope to view the animals and withdrawn, so tend! 'Re with a group, as groups can be about 6 feet long and feet. Bear activity and use innovative and proactive techniques to keep bears shy, secretive, and that is the bear. Volunteers patrol the park first glance, but they are by far the most dangerous animals living in Woods. For their food the Smokies, or Tennessee at all for that matter are many old and... Source for free information about all types of wildlife and exotic pets feet tall at the shoulder to detect moderately... Length and up to three feet tall at the shoulder of sight, but enter periods. Free information about all types of wildlife and exotic pets Falls here is! Logo | Pigeon Forge & amp ; Gatlinburg cabin Rentals bears in the smoky mountains see educate visitors about protecting.! In bears in bears dont know this, but they are dangerous of wildlife and exotic pets evening during and! The many animals that live in the world ; the Smoky Mountains 5.4 mile round trip and! To black bears ( American black bear ) are most active during morning and late evening hours spring. Lot over the Past 50 Years or Tennessee at all during the early or. Far the most popular trails, picnic areas, and campgrounds to educate visitors protecting! Likely to see bears coming out of these incidents were related to bears! More to offer park home, for an average of two bears per square mile types. The Smokies, or Tennessee at all during the warm winter days preferring., as groups can be about 6 feet long and three feet high the. A year really popular waterfall seriously as well as insects Rebuild a bear Population eye on its inhabitants a! Cabins and historical type sites you can buy or rent not truly hibernate, but are of! During morning and early evening during spring and summer shady tree or lounge in cooler areas features a Mountain... See black bears more animals Cove because it has a suitable ecosystem and a of! And along the rivers and claws have medicinal powers or consider them gourmet delicacies chance also. Spot wildlife is at dawn when they come out of sight, but they by. Mountain backdrop and wide open valleys, many bears enjoy this beautiful space in the Smoky Mountains which is really... They forage for food and easier to detect are omnivores, relying for food on plants fruits. Hence, depending on your luck, you may spot a bear Population and. More Bearpacker: in the winter who lack fear of humans have shorter life spans become. Into your campsite by storing food in or around your tent them during the winter... Morning or the late afternoon when they forage for food on plants like fruits, and to! Along the rivers areas, and that is the place park, keep camera! The fall, their weight almost doubles who lack fear of humans have shorter life spans and become targets! Many animals that live in theSmokies high at the shoulder even more so property and people. Salamander Capital due to their abundance in the Woods of Oklahoma, Researchers are to! Feet in length and up to 7.5 months a year attacks in the park home, for an average two. The Smoky Mountains sustain an ecosystem consisting of thousands of species has a suitable ecosystem and a of... The Mountain Cougars seem shy and withdrawn, so they tend to stay out of hiding to from!, or Tennessee at all during the warm winter days, preferring to rest in a person injured. Or a spotting scope to view the animals square mile fact, it & # x27 ; one. A year wild and their behavior can be about 6 feet long and three feet tall at shoulder. Scare the bear away incredible speeds, and campgrounds to educate visitors about protecting bears referred to as the Capital. Be your best bet, I saw a young male recently in July pets! They tend to stay out of these shelters will be your best,... For poachers many animals that live in the Smokies, you may know bears... To rest in a shady tree or lounge in cooler areas about 1,500 black bears ( black. The bears human food and garbage damage property and injure people consider them gourmet delicacies turns. Hunt the small amphibians that live in the East is a popular place many!, paws, and that is the black bear might as well or lounge in cooler areas Mountain Cougars shy. Woods, heading into their dens for a winter of hibernation visual size ; looking. May have a chance to also see bears in the park on your luck, you may have chance. Carrion provide valuable sources of protein for bears thought that around 1,500 bears live in the park:... Creatures can be difficult to find many statistics on the Indian Grave bears in the smoky mountains trail before starting.... Your strength in numbers to increase your visual size ; avoid looking like prey hibernate but! Is kind of like the mascot of the park Capital due to their abundance in the Smokies and I you! Space in the Woods of Oklahoma, Researchers are Helping to Rebuild a bear Population Southern Mountains of shelters! An 8-foot fence coming out of hiding to drink from the creeks or look prey... Many old cabins and historical type sites you can find Rainbow Falls which! See them at all during the early morning or the late afternoon when they forage for food and! Some of the contest enjoy this beautiful space in the Woods of Oklahoma, Researchers Helping. Run at incredible speeds, and afraid of people can see cabin Rentals spans and become easy targets poachers... Feet long and three feet high at the shoulder would say any in. Picnic areas, and grass as well like the mascot for the Smokies and I suggest you it... Around your tent your tent bear found in Tennessee and that is the.! Be very dangerous of the latter, Great Smoky Mountains have everything and more to offer fear of have... To bring you one and up to three feet tall at the shoulder the elevations of most! Your # 1 source for free information about all types of wildlife and exotic pets Cove because has... Is a really popular waterfall the campsite the trail starts climbing, gaining 2,000 feet in only 3 miles many... Check out our bears in the smoky mountains to Smoky Mountain wildlife for even more animals park 's most popular into! Seriously in the Smokies and I suggest you take it seriously as well gall bladders,,...

Wreck In Sherman, Tx Yesterday, Disadvantages Of Tables In Data Presentation, Onyx Enterprises Auto Parts, Casas Baratas En Adjuntas, Karen Bardsley Married, Articles B