The black bear is kind of like the mascot for the Smokies, you see black bears on everything you can buy or rent. NPS photo. Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk. Consider traveling with a group, as groups can be noisier and easier to detect. 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. Bears have an amazing sense of smell; they can even sniff out food you might not be able to smell yourself. With numbers like that your odds of seeing a bear are pretty good, but picking the right spot can stack the deck. Past the campsite the trail starts climbing, gaining 2,000 feet in only 3 miles. They are wild animals and can be unpredictable. 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. It feeds on small game but can also eat human food if offered. 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? These Photos Prove It. So much so, that the Smokies are considered black bear sanctuaries. These citations can result in fines of up to $5,000 and jail sentences lasting up to six months. Animals ranging from Salamanders to Elks and bobcats flourish in the wild. These creatures live around creeks and rivers in the Smoky Mountains Park. 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! There are no grizzlies in the Smokies, or Tennessee at all for that matter. Both species are elusive and nocturnal. If you want to see black bears during your visit, we recommend heading to the Smoky Mountains during Spring or Summer. Before the center opened, news crews . When it comes to bear sightings, the best time to drive along the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is during the early morning or evening hours. 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. Bears can live 12-15 years or more, however bears which have had access to human foods and garbage have a life expectancy of only half that time. However if you just simply explore the park, ask some locals, and visit a couple of the places mentioned in this article, you have a better than average chance of seeing one in the wild. The park's Resource Education staff provides information about bears at visitor centers, in the park's newspaper, and at evening programs. Although bear attacks on humans are rare, they can happen. Hikers should double bag their food in their backpack. Poaching: Unfortunately, the lure of high profits on international markets encourages the poaching of black bears. Do not approach bears or allow them to approach you! In fact, it's so uncommon that it can be difficult to find many statistics on the subject. Non-Native Species: The European wild hog is one of the most direct threats to the black bear. The Oconaluftee Center and Cataloochee Valley is an ideal destination to see elks, specifically at dawn and at dusk. See winners from every year of the contest. There is an average of 1,500 black bears, which is about 2 bears every square mile. Nearly 1,500 black bears live in the Smoky Mountains national park. The oldest known black bear lived to be 39. Absolutely not. Feeding the bears teaches them to forage for food from and around humans. Bobcats are solitary, reclusive felines that live in theSmokies. A bear sighting at the GSMNP makes for a great memory that wont soon be forgotten. Wild apples dot the fields of this historic town and the surrounding woods, providing a valuable food source for several different wildlife species, including bears. 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. Bears that obtain human food and garbage damage property and injure people. Copperheads are shy and tend to hide from open view. It is uncommon that you will see black bears but if you do there are some tips to staying safe. Head left at the junction with Crooked Arm Ridge trail at mile .5, keeping an eye out for mountain laurel blooming among the hardwoods. 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. There are no grizzly bears in the Smoky Mountains, or in the entirety of Tennessee. 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. Bears in the Smokies are unusual in that they often den high above the ground in standing hollow trees. Cades Cove Visitor Center: 686 Cades Cove Loop Road, Townsend, TN 37882. Most of these incidents were related to hungry bears attacking humans for their food. The Red Fox resembles a domestic dog in size, except for the white-tipped tail and black limbs, weighing up to 24 pounds. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the largest protected areas in the east of the United States. The (Smokies) Great Smoky Mountains Park is home to dozens of wildlife. When you click and buy we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. During summer months, some of the busiest picnic areas close at 8:00 PM so these areas can be thoroughly cleaned before dark and any food scraps or trash left by careless visitors can be removed. Black bears love Cades Cove because it has a suitable ecosystem and a variety of food sources. So it is best to just do the right thing and go the other way. Our Gatlinburg cabins sit only a few minutes from the national park, meaning you won't have to drive very far to see the black bears! In addition, they are good tree climbers, can swim very well, and can run 30 miles per hour. They can be seen roaming about in Cades cove as well as Roaring Fork Motor Nature trails and going up the mountains aided by their strong curved claws. Bear management is really people management. Warning: Bears are wild animals that are dangerous and unpredictable. The symbol of the Smokies, the American Black Bear, is perhaps the most famous resident of the park. This is the only Mountain lion in the Smoky Mountains. Consider hanging items at least 10 feet up or investing in a bear-proof cooler or storage container. Bobcats have spotted coats, short ears, and stubby tails. It is illegal and irresponsible to feed the black bears in the Smoky Mountains. Black bears In some ways, bears are probably the least predictable wildlife sighting in the Smokies, and the most sought-after. Cades Cove. The mountain Cougars seem shy and withdrawn, so they tend to stay out of sight, but they are dangerous. These bears are omnivores, relying for food on plants like fruits, and grass as well as insects. This is taken very seriously in the Smokies and I suggest you take it seriously as well. The Timber Rattler has the most toxic venom of the two species. 250 pounds. You can also find animals roaming in the Park around the Cades Cove at dusk the best time to view wildlife in the Great Smoky Mountains. The American black bear might as well be the mascot of the Smoky Mountains! This incredible park is bursting with wildlife, plant life, and exciting adventures to be experienced. These creatures are pretty stocky, and they pack on the pounds before winter. The bear will probably do the same. Most cabins have bear-proof trash containers, which you must use, and latch closed. Skip the traffic jam and head into where the bears really live on the 8.5-mile Rich Mountain Loop. 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. The bear is demanding more space. 1. Don't forget to read about bear safety before you explore. There is only one species of bear in Tennessee and that is the black bear. So, when you visit this amazing Park, keep a keen eye on its inhabitants from a safe distance. Want to get listed and grow your business? Call a ranger or visitor center if you spot someone else breaking the rules during their visit. They are omnivores. In fact, its they are so rare that it can be difficult to find statistics on bear attack. You can easily spot them at Cataloochee roaming on the grasses as they graze in the open meadows. It's essential to keep your distance for your own safety, the safety of those around you, and the bear itself. If a bear just leisurely approaches you at your campsite or while you are out hiking, you should scare it off with loud noises like Get out of here bear! Something like that. 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. Colonial Properties Logo | Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg Cabin Rentals. Everyone wants to know where you are likely to see black bears in the Smoky Mountains. Don't run and don't turn away from the bear. In many cases, a startled bear is an aggressive bear. We all know bears hibernate in the winter. You can find white-tailed deers in Cades Cove and Cataloochee or when hiking on the forest trails. Its a 5.4 mile round trip hike and is rated as moderately strenuous. In the eastern section of North America, the majority of black bears are a deep black. A Grand View Lodge #540. (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). 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! Many people think black bears in the Smoky Mountains are carnivores, but they are actually omnivores! So pack accordingly. This could result in a person being injured and the bear being euthanized. Its hard to say whos more excited about the blueberries crowding this peak every August, the hikers or the bears. Stand your ground if persistently followed. At a safe distance of at least 150 feet this is a good opportunity to enjoy the sight before quietly moving away. Increase the distance between you and the bear. 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. If you visit the park there is a very good chance you will encounter one. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The adult male river otter also moves around in packs consisting of other males of up to 15 or more. Backcountry regulations require that all food and odorous items be stored with the bear cable system at each campsite or shelter. They are bears, sure they can be dangerous if provoked or threatened. If a bear approaches, stand your ground, clap loudly, wave your arms around and yell. If you do a bit of exploring you are likely to see one. Sign up for Outside+ today. These bears will be in captivity so its probably not what you were hoping for, its just not the same but if you had no luck on seeing a bear in the wild and everyone is bummed about no bear sightings you may want to consider this as an option. Black in color, they are around six feet tall and three feet high at the shoulder. A bear might stand on its hind legs to get a better view and survey its surroundings. Here are the top 4 places to see bears in the Smoky Mountains: Cades Cove is one of the most popular destinations in see black bears in the Smoky Mountains, and the area is easily accessible with the 11 mile loop road. Bears are like humans, they are omnivores. At speeds of 30 mph, black bears can outrun, outclimb, and outswim humans. The elk population saw a sharp decline between the 80s and 90s but was reintroduced to the Park in 2001. You may notice some brown fur around the black fur, too. [NPS]. River otters hunt the small amphibians that live in and along the rivers. Hence, make sure to keep your eyes and ears open to spot them and prevent any accidents when you hike. Bear Safety: Rule #1 Keep your distance. The Smoky Mountains are so called due to the lasting fog present around the region giving it a misty and majestic look. 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. 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. Use binoculars, telephoto lens, or a spotting scope to view the animals. When you think of the Smoky Mountains, you probably also think of black bears. Absolutely not! Commonly born in pairs, the cubs will remain with the mother for about eighteen months or until she mates again. More Bearpacker: In the Woods of Oklahoma, Researchers Are Helping to Rebuild a Bear Population. 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? Click Here, Top 4 Places to See Bears in the Smoky Mountains. Browse cabins with pet friendly policies. They will approach people's cars, campsites, and cabins searching for food. 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. For protein, black bears will eat Insects and animal carrion. The park is one of the largest protected areas where black bears live in the wild in the eastern United States. 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