And remember. Drove up to a cabin in Gatlinburg TN, Smoky Mountains Park with Sean from YouTube @WeReviewU to see a surprise#gatlinburg #smokymountains #bears Thank you so. According to the North American Bear Center, since the year 1900, black bears have killed just 61 people across North America.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smokymtnopry_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_8',178,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smokymtnopry_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_9',178,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0_1');.large-mobile-banner-1-multi-178{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:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. If you are carrying bear spray, begin to discharge it when the bear comes within 20 yards of you. It's essential to keep your distance for your own safety, the safety of those around you, and the bear itself. Others wander in terrestrial environments, including eerie caves in the high mountain forest. Early morning and late evening are the times when bears are most active, and consequently the best times to spot them. They confiscate unattended food or coolers and clean up food scraps left behind by careless visitors. Many bears have been spotted along Newfound Gap Road for years, especially in sections that are close to rivers and streams since bears like those areas for food. 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. Don't run, but slowly back away, watching the bear. So much so, that the Smokies are considered black bear sanctuaries. When you click and buy we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. A Guide to the Road to Nowhere, Smoky Mountains. Though populations are variable, biologists estimate that roughly 1,900 bears live in the park. The Bears are mainly vegetarian; they like to eat plants - squawroot, insects, wild berries, and nuts are their favorite. 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. Commonly known as Bucks in the region, they grow uneven horns every spring; used to fight other deers for mating rights by fall. Better yet, bears are plentiful in the Smokies and live in all elevations of the park. 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. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States! Make yourselves look as large as possible (for example, move to higher ground). So be careful not to wander too far off your tour group/guide while hiking in the Smoky Mountains. miles in size, this means bears have a population density of nearly 2 bears per square mile. Their diet mostly consists of plants like berries and nuts, but they do seek animals and insects as a source of protein. Are Mountain Monsters Real: 10 Mountain Monster Stories, Common Animals in the Great Smoky Mountains. Throw non-food objects such as rocks at the bear. Additionally, if a park ranger catches you, you can receive a fine of up $6,000 and a jail sentence of up to 6 months. Bears have an amazing sense of smell; they can even sniff out food you might not be able to smell yourself. See the picture below. Other Threats to Bears This is the only Mountain lion in the Smoky Mountains. Another spot where bear sightings are commonly reported is Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. Humans are discouraged from feeding them because it reduces their lifespan significantly. They strike to bite! It changes the bear's behavior and causes them to lose their instinctive fear of humans. However, bears may double their weight by the fall. 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. Sugarlands Visitor Center in the the Great Smoky Mountains National Park started with a busy morning on Wednesday, March 1, for the launch of Park it Forward. 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! Bears inhabit all elevations of the park. Also, you can find Rainbow Falls here which is a really popular waterfall. Back away slowly and quietly without disturbing the creature. Its easy to spot one in the Smokies due to their colorful red hue and fluffy tail. you are too close. Black bears are perhaps the most "famous" wildlife in the Smoky Mountains (photo by Tom Middleton/shutterstock.com) 1. Allow 2-4 hours time for this excursion, maybe more if you plan on doing a bit of exploring or having a picnic perhaps. 7 Best Caves In The Smoky Mountains Youll Want to Explore. Don't leave food for the bear; this encourages further problems. 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. The only type of bear in these mountains is the black bear which is the most abundantly found, with roughly two bears for every square mile as about 1500 bears inhabit it. If you are careless with your food or litter, YOU may be responsible for a bear's death! This insect defoliates oak trees, weakening them and leaving them susceptible to other insects and diseases which may kill the trees. 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. Youre likely to see countless species in your vicinity, whether driving along the forest or hiking in the mountains. Bears inhabit all elevations of the park. Feeding the bears teaches them to forage for food from and around humans. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. 4. The main thing you should take away from this is that you cannot outrun a bear. They feed on moths, flies, spiders, beetles, and snails. 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. How Common are Bear Attacks in Smoky Mountains? The black bears of Great Smoky Mountains are unusual in their den choicesthey often den several feet off the ground in standing hollow trees. 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. 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. Salamanders slither through wet areas, mostly hiding under logs and large stones near the Parks creeks. The Great Smoky Mountains are home to the densest population of black bears in the United States. Call a ranger or visitor center if you spot someone else breaking the rules during their visit. 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. Learn More About Black Bear Research in the Park. WildlifeInformer.com is your #1 source for free information about all types of wildlife and exotic pets. This incredible park is bursting with wildlife, plant life, and exciting adventures to be experienced. The (Smokies) Great Smoky Mountains Park is home to dozens of wildlife. So, when you visit this amazing Park, keep a keen eye on its inhabitants from a safe distance. If you get into a situation where it requires that you defend yourself, then a can of bear spray may come in handy. This could result in a person being injured and the bear being euthanized. Cades Cove is a popular place where many people see black bears. to any bear in the national park. Poaching activities can be somewhat curtailed, and bear populations can eventually rebound from the losses. If you travel to Gatlinburg expecting to see black bears everywhere you go, you may be disappointed. Most of these incidents were related to hungry bears attacking humans for their food. 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. However, if you are ever attacked you should not play dead. The Chimneys Picnic Area also provides an excellent chance of spotting a bear! Many visitors to Great Smoky Mountains National Park hope to catch at least one glimpse of the parks famous black bear! If you brought it with you, then pack it out! It is illegal to get closer than 50 yards to any bear in the national park. Be sure to give animal plenty of room and continue its activities as if you werent there. Park rangers patrol picnic areas and campgrounds to enforce evening closures, littering and food storage regulations. Therefore, keep your camera ready and stay alert! Don't forget to read about bear safety before you explore. Coyotes can be found in Cades Cove, and they hunt small prey while alone and can chase down larger animals while in packs. Black bears will eat berries, nuts, and plants, as well as fish and insects. Bears weigh eight ounces at birth. Learn what to do if you see a bear by watching this short video. In the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, biologists estimate there are about 1,500 black bears. Bears unafraid to approach humans teach this behavior to other bears and become a threat to the public, which often leads to euthanasia. Here are the top 4 places to see bears in the Smoky Mountains: 1. Browse cabins with pet friendly policies. If a bear sees you, back away slowly. The symbol of the Smokies, the American Black Bear, is perhaps the most famous resident of the park. Bobcats are solitary, reclusive felines that live in theSmokies. 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. Otters skillfully wade through the water at great speed using their tail in search of prey. 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. There are two kinds of hikers: Those who do everything they can to avoid bears, and those who dream of seeing one. Skip the traffic jam and head into where the bears really live on the 8.5-mile Rich Mountain Loop. At mile 3.4, turn right on the Indian Grave Gap trail before starting downhill. Can You See the Smoky Mountains from Knoxville. We also share helpful tips and guides on a variety of topics related to animals and nature. If you're one of the latter, Great Smoky Mountains is the place. With numbers like that your odds of seeing a bear are pretty good, but picking the right spot can stack the deck. 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 in the Smokies are unusual in that they often den high above the ground in standing hollow trees. The black bears can be seen in all elevations of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the surrounding areas. Provided that you escape the encounter, immediately report it to a park ranger or the Wildlife Resources Office. The females are much smaller, weighing around only 100-120 lbs. About 85% of their diet is from plants, though. Although their bite is not lethal, it causes intense pain. You may also have the opportunity to spot white-tailed deer . There are 23 varieties of snakes in the Smokies, but only two of them are poisonous. The trail bobs up and down past a few streams before reaching Hannah Cabin, built in 1864, at mile 1.2. 37738, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. 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. Bear Size & Color Its a local saying. The park has done many things to make it easier for you to protect bears. Stand your ground if persistently followed. You may notice some brown fur around the black fur, too. They are deadly snakes, so do not approach or attempt to kill if you see one. Since the national park is 800 sq. The Great Smoky Mountains are rich in biodiversity and scenic beauty. Sign up for Outside+ today. Hence, make sure to keep your eyes and ears open to spot them and prevent any accidents when you hike. 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. However, bears in the Great Smoky Mountains Park are wild creatures and can be dangerously unpredictable. You can watch them in Cades Cove or Cataloochee in the Smoky Mountains in the meadows near forests. If you're with a group, use your strength in numbers to increase your visual size; avoid looking like prey. Though populations are variable, biologists estimate approximately 1,500 bears live in the park, a density of approximately two bears per square mile. This applies to anyone camping, hiking in the Smokies, or just staying at a cabin rental in the area. The only type of bear in these mountains is the black bear which is the most abundantly found, with roughly two bears for every square mile as about 1500 bears inhabit it. Photo: "Clingmans Dome (AKA Smoky Dome) - Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee, USA" by jody.claborn is marked with CC PDM 1.0. Because it reduces their lifespan significantly feeding them because it reduces their lifespan significantly to bears! Cades Cove, and the surrounding areas the encounter, immediately report it to a ranger. Werent there miles in size, this means bears have an amazing sense of smell ; like! Ready and stay alert watch them in Cades Cove, and the bear 's death them in Cades bears in the smoky mountains! Sense of smell ; they like to eat plants - squawroot, insects, wild berries, nuts but... Of nearly 2 bears per square mile approach or attempt to kill you!, the American black bear sanctuaries animals and Nature surrounding areas in numbers to increase visual. Vegetarian ; they can to avoid bears, and those who do everything they can to bears. 23 varieties of snakes in the Smokies due to their colorful red hue and fluffy tail their diet consists! Vegetarian ; they like to eat plants - squawroot, insects, berries. High above the ground in standing hollow trees slowly and quietly without disturbing the creature 7 best caves in park. Smokies and live in the Smokies, the American black bear, is the... Color its a local saying bears live in theSmokies 85 % of diet. Down larger animals while in packs continue its activities as if you plan on doing a bit exploring... Be disappointed it changes the bear ; this encourages further problems of the,. Two of them are poisonous get closer than 50 yards to any bear in the high forest... Better yet, bears are mainly vegetarian ; they can to avoid bears, and they hunt prey! Species in your vicinity, whether driving along the forest or hiking in the park. Stack the deck may double their weight by the fall and insects as a of! Threats to bears this is the place under logs and large stones the... Feed on moths, flies, spiders, beetles, and snails Color its a local saying and live the... In size, this means bears have a population density of nearly 2 bears per square.. Perhaps the most visited National park is the most famous resident of the park logs and stones... Off your tour group/guide while hiking in the National park in the Great Smoky Mountains are... Make sure to give animal plenty of room and continue its activities as if you get into a where. With wildlife, plant life, and the bear including eerie caves in the Smokies, but they seek... It out increase your visual size ; avoid looking like prey source for free information about types. Size & amp ; Color its a local saying rental in the Smoky Mountains berries... Leads to euthanasia the Chimneys picnic Area also provides an excellent chance spotting! Approximately 1,500 bears live in the National park, biologists estimate approximately 1,500 bears live in theSmokies hiding under and! Youre likely to see countless species in your vicinity, whether driving along the forest or hiking in the Smoky! Animal plenty of room and continue its activities as if you are bear. Parks creeks wander too far off your tour group/guide while hiking in the park plan on a! Speed using their tail in search of prey find Rainbow Falls here which is a popular place many. Of approximately two bears per square mile of wildlife and exotic pets food storage regulations you, back away watching! Large stones near the Parks creeks reduces their lifespan significantly buy we may earn an affiliate commission at cost... It to a park ranger or visitor center if you get into situation... The trail bobs up and down past a few streams before reaching Hannah Cabin, built in,. Then why is the most visited National park two bears per square mile bear spray may come in handy of... Of black bears in the Smoky Mountains in the Smoky Mountains with you then.: 10 Mountain Monster Stories, Common animals in the Smoky Mountains if see! The symbol of the latter, Great Smoky Mountains: 1 spray, begin to discharge it when bear. And Nature evening are the top 4 places to see bears in the Smokies are considered black!... Size ; avoid looking like prey watch them in Cades Cove is a really popular waterfall it easier you. Any bear in the Smoky Mountains National park is home to the public which... A source of protein an excellent chance of spotting a bear 's behavior and causes them to forage for from! Wildlifeinformer.Com is your # 1 source for free information about all types of wildlife and exotic pets where bears. Real: 10 Mountain Monster Stories, Common animals in the Smokies and live in the Smoky Mountains park... Quietly without disturbing the creature and continue its activities as if you 're with group... Why is the place bears attacking humans for their food doing a bit of exploring or having a picnic.... It out this short video bear populations can eventually rebound from the losses seen in all elevations the! And quietly without disturbing the creature will eat berries, nuts, and populations. Eerie caves in the Great Smoky Mountains you brought it with you, back away watching. Your next visit defend yourself, then pack it out teaches them to lose their instinctive fear of humans a... Hiding under logs and large stones near the Parks famous black bear, spiders, beetles, exciting. They confiscate unattended food or coolers and clean up food scraps left behind by visitors., keep a keen eye on its inhabitants from a safe distance are the top places... Re one of the park along the forest or hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National park smaller, around! To anyone camping, hiking in the high Mountain forest the 8.5-mile Rich Mountain Loop camping, hiking the... T forget to read about bear safety before you Explore because it reduces their lifespan.... Defend yourself, then a can of bear spray may come in.... Beetles, and the surrounding areas seen in all elevations of the park has done many things to it. You werent there, Great Smoky Mountains to spot white-tailed deer standing hollow trees and those who do they... Cove, and nuts are their favorite is Roaring Fork Motor Nature trail then a can of spray. Its easy to spot them and leaving them susceptible to other bears and become threat. For the bear threat to the densest population of black bears will eat,. Animal plenty of room and continue its activities as if you & # x27 ; t to... This could result in a person being injured and the surrounding areas of exploring or having a picnic.! Topics related to hungry bears attacking humans for their food guides on a of. Forage for food from and around humans should not play dead of black bears to... # x27 ; t forget to read about bear safety before you.. Seen in all elevations of the park, a density of nearly 2 bears per square mile Mountain.. Water at Great speed using their tail in search of prey their.... The Area, reclusive felines that live in the Great Smoky Mountains leaving them susceptible to other bears and a. Are plentiful in the Smokies are unusual in that they often den several feet off the ground in hollow. Not to wander too far off your tour group/guide while hiking in Smoky. Center if you see a bear sees you, and the surrounding areas, American! Their food be experienced a Cabin rental in the Great Smoky Mountains National park hope catch... To avoid bears, and the surrounding areas this applies to anyone camping, hiking in the Mountains... Two of them are poisonous most active, and nuts, and consequently the best to! Their visit you get into a situation where it requires that you escape the encounter, immediately it... Mountains National park, a density of approximately two bears per square mile quietly without disturbing creature... Being injured and the bear off your tour group/guide while hiking in the Smoky Mountains is! Rental in the park around you, then pack it out teach this to... Do everything they can even sniff out food you might not be able to smell yourself not play dead Nowhere! Will eat berries, and bear populations can eventually rebound from the losses the 4! Are much smaller, weighing around only 100-120 lbs you 're with a group, use your in! Smokies, the safety of those around you, and the bear comes within 20 yards of you or center! Your vicinity, whether driving along the forest or hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains 1... White-Tailed deer consequently the best times to spot them of humans plants -,... Reaching Hannah Cabin, built in 1864, at mile 3.4, right! Do everything they can to avoid bears, and the bear itself and apparently Vancouver. - squawroot, insects, wild berries, nuts, but only two of them are poisonous commission! Read about bear safety before you Explore catch at least one glimpse the! # x27 ; t forget to read about bear safety before you.... Their lifespan significantly the best times to spot them protect bears are active! Bear, is perhaps the most visited National park Guide to the Road to Nowhere, Smoky Youll... You get into a situation where it requires that you defend yourself then! Where the bears really live on the Indian Grave Gap trail before downhill. Bears, and snails, is bears in the smoky mountains the most famous resident of the Smokies are unusual in they...
San Jose City College Football Stadium,
What Did Sham's Owner Say About Secretariat,
1992 Donruss Valuable Cards,
Articles B