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. 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. Its on many peoples bucket list and they are easy to spot, if you go the right time of year. Violation of this federal regulation can result in fines and arrest. you are too close. Salamanders slither through wet areas, mostly hiding under logs and large stones near the Parks creeks. Based on what Ive read, a lean black bear can run up to 30mph. You should yell or throw a rock; they usually run away. The black bears of Great Smoky Mountains are unusual in their den choicesthey often den several feet off the ground in standing hollow trees. There is only one species of bear found in Tennessee, and that is the black bear. Its easy to spot one in the Smokies due to their colorful red hue and fluffy tail. These Photos Prove It. There is only one species of bear in Tennessee and that is the black bear. 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. Use binoculars, telephoto lens, or a spotting scope to view the animals. TN The most recent bear attack in Great Smoky Mountain National Park involved a family of five and their dog camping in the park's Elkmont Campground on June 12. Wildlife managers actively monitor for bear activity and use innovative and proactive techniques to keep bears shy, secretive, and afraid of people. Stay safe in black bear country! In this article, we have lined up some of the most common animals in the Smoky Mountains in no particular order.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smokymtnopry_com-box-4','ezslot_4',174,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-box-4-0'); Nearly 1,500 black bears live in the Smoky Mountains national park. This is a medium to a large venomous snake that lives above 3,000 feet. In fact, it's so uncommon that it can be difficult to find many statistics on the subject. 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. If a bear persistently follows or approaches you, without vocalizing, or paw swatting: If the bear's behavior indicates that it is after your food and you are physically attacked: If the bear shows no interest in your food and you are physically attacked, the bear may consider you as prey: Help protect others, report all bear incidents to a park ranger immediately. Proceed while continuing to observe the bear. 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. If you are hiking through the mountains, its easy to see The North American River Otters having a good romp along the river banks. Most of the time bears will flee when they encounter humans, however in the national park these bears are protected and are probably pretty bold. Grizzly bears can be found in a select few states in the US. The black bear is kind of like the mascot for the Smokies, you see black bears on everything you can buy or rent. " The black bear is the symbol of the Smokies ," says wildlife biologist Bill Stiver. Although bear attacks on humans are rare, they can happen. This is another 1-way loop drive you can take to see some nature and history. I would say any time in May through September will be your best bet, I saw a young male recently in July. Black bears In some ways, bears are probably the least predictable wildlife sighting in the Smokies, and the most sought-after. Bear management is really people management. One of the most important things to remember if you are lucky enough spot a bear is to keep a safe distance of at least 150 feet (50 yards) and do not approach. In addition, bears that venture outside park boundaries into neighboring communities may encounter human food and become unpredictable, dangerous, and a threat to human safety. If you're one of the latter, Great Smoky Mountains is the place. These creatures live around creeks and rivers in the Smoky Mountains Park. 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. They live in social units mostly a mother and her young ones until they mature. Bears have an amazing sense of smell; they can even sniff out food you might not be able to smell yourself. If . If you want to increase your chances of seeing a bear, there are several locations where sightings are especially common! 1. 865-436-7318, EXT 321. If one is spotted "running toward you, making loud noises, or. In her children's book, Frances Figart writes about two best friends, a bear and a deer, who grow up in the Great Smoky Mountains listening to stories about a time their families could move freely . Bears weigh eight ounces at birth. 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. Smoky mountains sustain an ecosystem consisting of thousands of species. Once they spot a catch, they grab it and roll over on their backs to eat while still in the water. 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. Keep an eye out for tracks, scat, digs, and trees that bears have rubbed. If you find your cabin does not have this, arrange for an employee to bring you one. 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. At speeds of 30 mph, black bears can outrun, outclimb, and outswim humans. The latest gear, trips, stories, and more, beamed to your inbox every week. 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. This massive park stretches over 522,427 acres of mountains, lush forests, streams, and valleys. An army of park volunteers patrol the park's most popular trails, picnic areas, and campgrounds to educate visitors about protecting bears. The Red Fox resembles a domestic dog in size, except for the white-tipped tail and black limbs, weighing up to 24 pounds. To begin planning your stay, give us a call at (800) 953-5655 and book your vacation with one of our vacation specialists! 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. Early morning and late evening are the times when bears are most active, and consequently the best times to spot them. The Gray Fox differs from the red ones with their black-tipped tail, unlike the red foxes with a white tail. 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. Explore the most visited national park in the country. Provided that you escape the encounter, immediately report it to a park ranger or the Wildlife Resources Office. Black bears in the mountains dont actually hibernate in the winter months, but they do sleep for longer periods of time when it gets cold. If you love to hike, you might even see black bears along the trails. Now you know even more about black bears in the Smoky Mountains! There are 412 types of animals present in these mountains, But are there bears in the smoky mountains? When visitors head to the Smoky Mountains, it is common they stay in one of their authentic cabins. 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. 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. With numbers like that your odds of seeing a bear are pretty good, but picking the right spot can stack the deck. 20 Must-Know Great Smoky Mountains National Park Facts. 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. Coyotes adapt quickly to new environments and prefer to hunt at night. Source: @carlosfineartphoto Act together as a group if you have companions. Colonial Properties Logo | Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg Cabin Rentals. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. About 1,500 black bears call the park home, for an average of two bears per square mile. Back away slowly and quietly without disturbing the creature. Home Blog Smoky Mountain Wildlife 6 Facts You Should Know About Black Bears in the Smoky Mountains. 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. Many are hit by cars and become easy targets for poachers. 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. If you're with a group, use your strength in numbers to increase your visual size; avoid looking like prey. Above all, keep your distance from bears! Feeding the bears teaches them to forage for food from and around humans. Every time we looked off of our balcony there he was. One common location is Cades Cove. Dispose of all food scraps or garbage in bear proof garbage containers or take it home with you. We also share helpful tips and guides on a variety of topics related to animals and nature. 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. Want to get listed and grow your business? A Guide to the Road to Nowhere, Smoky Mountains. Want to know about other wildlife you might see while youre here? Throw non-food objects such as rocks at the bear. If you visit the park there is a very good chance you will encounter one. Home Blog Smoky Mountain Wildlife Top 4 Places to See Bears in the Smoky Mountains. Males may weigh around 250 lbs in the summertime, but can double their weight in the fall when they are fattening up for winter. The park is one of the largest protected areas where black bears live in the wild in the eastern United States. Learn more. After all, they are pretty much the face of the park and Gatlinburg. Keep your distance. 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). When the weather turns cold, they vanish from the woods, heading into their dens for a winter of hibernation. 3. But once the critical habitats are destroyed, major declines in bear populations are inevitable. Several cultures believe that bear gall bladders, paws, and claws have medicinal powers or consider them gourmet delicacies. You cant touch them since you would be interfering with the breathing system. Dense green forests, breathtaking waterfalls, and the scenic Appalachian Mountains are everything you need to bring you closer to nature. This could distract the animal and give you time to make a clean get away. Bears can often be seen around the old cabins.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smokymtnopry_com-leader-1','ezslot_7',177,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-leader-1-0'); How visitors behave while in the Smoky Mountains National Park has an impact on the safety of the black bears. Its an 11 mile loop to circle the cove, you will see many other tourists driving through here in the busy season trying to catch a glimpse of black bears and other wildlife. Thank you for visiting! Bears over 600 pounds have been documented in the park. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the largest protected areas in the east of the United States. It will all depend on the areas you go and the time of year. At speeds of 30 mph, black bears can outrun, outclimb, and outswim humans. There are no grizzly bears in the Smoky Mountains, or in the entirety of Tennessee. LeConte! However, in the fall, their weight almost doubles. The trail bobs up and down past a few streams before reaching Hannah Cabin, built in 1864, at mile 1.2. According to bear.org, black bears hibernate for up to 7.5 months a year. Another place where many bear sightings are reported is Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. 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. This 1-way loop drive is filled with historical sights and stunning nature. 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. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. Hence, depending on your luck, you may spot a bear! Keep this fact in mind when planning your hikes and activities. Humans are discouraged from feeding them because it reduces their lifespan significantly. This is for both your safety and the bears safety! Urban Encroachment: Community and private developments near park boundaries are causing a loss in habitat for the bears. Female black bears in the Smoky Mountains average around 100 pounds, while the males hover around 250 pounds. There are lots of chances to catch these beautiful yet wild creatures, but you need to take some safety precautions. Remember: if it changes its behavior, youre too close. Learn More About Black Bear Research in the Park. How Common are Bear Attacks in Smoky Mountains? 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. 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. Many people think leaving food inside a car is safe, but bears will happily break into a vehicle to access a granola bar. Absolutely not. The Great Smokies are referred to as the Salamander Capital due to their abundance in the Southern Mountains. Smell yourself and give you time to make a clean get away might even see black in!, digs, and that is the black bears in the entirety of Tennessee them to for! Least predictable wildlife sighting in the entirety of Tennessee are everything you buy. Will all depend on the subject can take to see bears in some ways, bears most! 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