Before their hibernation, they can double their body weight! 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. However, bears in the Great Smoky Mountains Park are wild creatures and can be dangerously unpredictable. 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 . 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! 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. The Great Smoky Mountains is the largest protected area in the eastern part of the country that has wild black bears. They also eat lizards, crayfish and fish. 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+ So pack accordingly. 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. Look no further than Five Little Bears! Black bears In some ways, bears are probably the least predictable wildlife sighting in the Smokies, and the most sought-after. 865-436-7318, EXT 321. Urban Encroachment: Community and private developments near park boundaries are causing a loss in habitat for the bears. These pervasive intruders feed on the acorns and other foods that are mainstays of bear diets. 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}. 2. Nearly 1,500 black bears live in the Smoky Mountains national park. With over 1,500 bears throughout the national park, they are by far one of the most popular animals in the area. Browse cabins with pet friendly policies. As I mentioned above, allowing the bear to eat human food and trash also will decrease its lifespan significantly. They grow up to 36 inches in length and have a copious body.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smokymtnopry_com-leader-2','ezslot_11',170,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-leader-2-0'); Generally, copperheads live on rocky, woody hillsides; they like to hide under leaf litter or large moist rocks in the Smoky Mountains. Sign up for Outside+ today. Youre likely to see countless species in your vicinity, whether driving along the forest or hiking in the mountains. Several cultures believe that bear gall bladders, paws, and claws have medicinal powers or consider them gourmet delicacies. All you need to know about the most visited national park in the country. If you're one of the latter, Great Smoky Mountains is the place. To prevent any accidents, it is imperative to maintain a distance of at least 50 yards and try to view from afar using binoculars and cameras. 1-800-371-0341 . Hikers on their morning trips or afternoon hikes often report seeing black bears hanging out in the tree line. to any bear in the national park. Here are the top 4 places to see bears in the Smoky Mountains: 1. It is illegal to get. Want to know about other wildlife you might see while youre here? One to four cubs are born during the mother's winter sleep, usually in late January or early February. The oldest known black bear lived to be 39. 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. Past the campsite the trail starts climbing, gaining 2,000 feet in only 3 miles. Many are hit by cars and become easy targets for poachers. 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. Can You See the Smoky Mountains from Knoxville. 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. At mile 3.4, turn right on the Indian Grave Gap trail before starting downhill. They are more frequently sighted in the Tennessee region of the Smoky Mountains. Now you know even more about black bears in the Smoky Mountains! Commonly born in pairs, the cubs will remain with the mother for about eighteen months or until she mates again. When the weather turns cold, they vanish from the woods, heading into their dens for a winter of hibernation. Great Smoky Mountains National Park provides the largest protected bear habitat in the East. They are wild animals and can be unpredictable. 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 icing on the cake is the presence of over 20,000 different species, which is any nature enthusiasts dream come true. Rangers often remind visitors that though these animals are cute and fluffy, they can be aggressive and behave unpredictably - especially when there are cubs to protect. According to bear.org, black bears hibernate for up to 7.5 months a year. Colonial Properties Logo | Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg Cabin Rentals. Its easy to spot one in the Smokies due to their colorful red hue and fluffy tail. Black bears can be seen throughout the year except rarely during the winter months. They may be six feet in length and up to three feet high at the shoulder. A standing bear isnt necessarily showing signs of aggression. Always keep your car locked, black bears are nifty at gaining access when they want to.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'smokymtnopry_com-leader-2','ezslot_13',180,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-leader-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'smokymtnopry_com-leader-2','ezslot_14',180,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-leader-2-0_1');.leader-2-multi-180{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}. Willfully approaching a bear within 150 feet is illegal in the park. At a safe distance of at least 150 feet this is a good opportunity to enjoy the sight before quietly moving away. Educational signs about bears can be found on picnic tables throughout the park and bear safety videos are posted on this website. Rocky Vs Smoky Mountains which is Better to Visit? They provide spectacular views from waterfalls to lush forests and a way to look closely into the wilderness. However, if you are ever attacked you should not play dead. 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. These three trails are a good place to start. 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. Thank you for visiting! WildlifeInformer.com is your #1 source for free information about all types of wildlife and exotic pets. They feed on mice, small birds, snakes, frogs, and insects. The park is one of the largest protected areas where black bears live in the wild in the eastern United States. Although their bite is not lethal, it causes intense pain. Wildlife Informer is reader-supported. Head left at the junction with Crooked Arm Ridge trail at mile .5, keeping an eye out for mountain laurel blooming among the hardwoods. 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. If a bear charges at you, they say not to run. See the picture below. Bears eat extra to double their weight by the fall since they sleep for so many months so they dont have to wake up and try to find food in the winter. They can climb trees and run 30 miles per hour, making them fantastic hunters if they wanted to be. Always respect bears and give them space. Don't run, but slowly back away, watching the bear. Another place where many bear sightings are reported is Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. The Bears are mainly vegetarian; they like to eat plants squawroot, insects, wild berries, and nuts are their favorite. 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. Garbage Kills Bears! 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. Eastern Cougars are large, brown or gray cats weighing approximately 140 pounds, and stand between 5-8 Ft. tall as adults. 4. If you do a bit of exploring you are likely to see one. Therefore, keep your camera ready and stay alert! 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. The best time to spot wildlife is at dawn when they come out of hiding to drink from the creeks or look for prey. You may notice some brown fur around the black fur, too. Coyotes can be found in Cades Cove, and they hunt small prey while alone and can chase down larger animals while in packs. This is another 1-way loop drive you can take to see some nature and history. Join Outside+ to get access to exclusive content, 1,000s of training plans, and more. There is only one species of bear found in Tennessee, and that is the black bear. Some Timber Rattlesnakes have a solid black hue and can grow up to 4.5 feet long. The females are much smaller, weighing around only 100-120 lbs. Black bears in the Smokies are black in color, but in other parts of the country they may be brown or cinnamon. If youre one of the latter, Great Smoky Mountains is the place. Food sources like berries and wild apples, access to water, and good denning sites all increase the chances of spotting one of the Smokies bruins on your hike. How Common are Bear Attacks in Smoky Mountains? Looking for a fun way to enjoy your next family vacation, book a Smoky Mountain cabin rental with a game room for a truly unforgettable experience. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Great Smoky Mountains largest animal, the elk, weighs up to 700 pounds with a height of 5 Ft. at shoulder length. Again, never feed or throw food to the bears. Cades Cove is a popular place where many people see black bears. Are Mountain Monsters Real: 10 Mountain Monster Stories, Common Animals in the Great Smoky Mountains. The Timber Rattler has the most toxic venom of the two species. Want to get listed and grow your business? If you love to hike, you might even see black bears along the trails. Feeding bears is illegal in the Smoky Mountains.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smokymtnopry_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_7',176,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); Also Read: How Common are Bear Attacks in Smoky Mountains? Once they spot a catch, they grab it and roll over on their backs to eat while still in the water. Coyotes grow to about 4 feet in length and weigh up to 50 pounds. When Hikers Die, Why Are We So Quick to Judge. 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! A total of 750,000 black bears reside in North America but are only responsible for less than one death per year, showing that it is very uncommon for them to attack you unprovoked. The symbol of the Smokies, the American Black Bear, is perhaps the most famous resident of the park. Violation of this federal regulation can result in fines and arrest. Act together as a group if you have companions. When you visit the Great Smoky Mountains, be sure to use the provided bear-proof dumpsters and garbage cans. Plant materials such as berries and nuts make up approximately 85% of their diet. Can You Take Rocks from the Smoky Mountains? 865-436-7318, EXT 320. Please watch this short video. Since Cades Cove features a stunning mountain backdrop and wide open valleys, many bears enjoy this beautiful space in the park. 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. 7 Best Caves In The Smoky Mountains Youll Want to Explore. 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. If you are planning a trip to the Smokies, you may be wondering when the best time to see bears in the Smoky Mountains is. 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! 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! You can easily spot them at Cataloochee roaming on the grasses as they graze in the open meadows. Don't run and don't turn away from the bear. Fawns are born in spring and are adorned with spots to help camouflage them from predators in their early months of life. Here are some easy tips to remember when hiking, picnicking, camping or visiting The Smoky Mountains. 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. Although extremely rare, attacks on humans have occurred, inflicting serious injuries and death. Black bears can live anywhere from 12-15 years. If you want to see Salamanders up close in the Smokies, visit the creek side hikes, or walk along damp forest tracks in the Park: use good binoculars to zoom in on these slippery creatures in perfect view. In the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, biologists estimate there are about 1,500 black bears. , Bears who lack fear of humans have shorter life spans and become easy targets for poachers. miles in size, this means bears have a population density of nearly 2 bears per square mile. At this number, this creates a population density of two bears per square mile. The Smokies are also rich in wildlife with over 412 different types of animals residing here. Backpacking Has Changed a Lot Over the Past 50 Years. 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? Bears inhabit all elevations of the park. 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. 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. As a bonus, Cades Cove offers plenty of other wildlife too, including white tailed deer and coyotes! Bears do not truly hibernate, but enter long periods of sleep. Dont make sudden movements that could startle or disturb the bear. Cades Cove is one of the best places for bear-spotting in the park, but most visitors only see it from the road, slogging through slow-moving lines of cars full of tourists. Click Here, Top 4 Places to See Bears in the Smoky Mountains. 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. While this certainly adds to the appeal of those who want to observe these animals from a safe distance in the wild, it can also be dangerous for those who don't understand bears in the Smoky Mountains.If you see black bears in the Smoky Mountains during . Another spot where bear sightings are commonly reported is Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. Copperheads are shy and tend to hide from open view. Make your presence known. It is home to black bears, who inhabit the elevations of the park. Cades Cove. They dwell in the woods and meadows, where they browse on grass and other forest foliage. Throw non-food objects such as rocks at the bear. You should yell or throw a rock; they usually run away. 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. This area is usually perfect for wildlife viewing because it is a wide valley surrounded by mountains, and Cades Cove bears are often sighted in the open valley. On colder days, bears will wake up and wander away for a little bit before heading back to their den to sleep.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smokymtnopry_com-banner-1','ezslot_5',175,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-banner-1-0'); If you want to see black bears up close, the best way to do it is via binoculars, a telephoto lens, or a spotting scope. Wildlife and exotic pets color, but in other parts of the largest protected areas where black bears hibernate up. Any nature enthusiasts dream come true Visit the Great Smoky Mountains which is to. Other parts of the latter, Great Smoky Mountains Youll want to Explore biologists estimate there about. Place to start largest animal, the elk, weighs up to 7.5 months a year Timber! 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