It is home to black bears, who inhabit the elevations of the park. Bear attacks on humans are very rare. 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. 2. If you spot a bear and he doesnt see you, keep it that way. Bears choose a denning site with the coming of cold weather. Stay calm. The biggest salamander can grow to more than two feet long. 37738, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Learn More About Black Bear Research in the Park. Learn more. 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. Here are some easy tips to remember when hiking, picnicking, camping or visiting The Smoky Mountains. Allow 2-4 hours time for this excursion, maybe more if you plan on doing a bit of exploring or having a picnic perhaps. Want to know about other wildlife you might see while youre here? According to a range of knowledgeable sources, the best place to see black bears when visiting the Smoky Mountains is in Cades Cove, a spot just a few miles from Gatlinburg and Townsend, Tennessee.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smokymtnopry_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_6',176,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smokymtnopry_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); They generally like to spend time in remote, highly wooded areas. , The loop road is not only a great place to spot bears in the Smoky Moutains, but its also famous for fantastic hiking trails, historical structures, rushing streams and majestic waterfalls! 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. 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. You should use binoculars, cameras, or spotting scope to look at bears up close instead of trying to physically get near them. Even by taking all the right precautions, you could still encounter a bear in the Smokies. When it comes to dealing with bears in the Smokies, common sense is key. About 1,500 black bears call the park home, for an average of two bears per square mile. River otters hunt the small amphibians that live in and along the rivers. Try to protect others as safely as you can. They usually keep to themselves, and rarely attack unprovoked, so as long as you maintain a distance and observe with binoculars and cameras, you are set to have an incredible experience without mishaps! 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. Animals ranging from Salamanders to Elks and bobcats flourish in the wild. 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. The Great Smoky Mountains largest animal, the elk, weighs up to 700 pounds with a height of 5 Ft. at shoulder length. 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? Stay safe in black bear country! The park has done many things to make it easier for you to protect bears. There are hundreds of miles of marked trails in the Great Smoky Mountains; stay on them and be aware of your surroundings. Record weight for black bears is up to 600 pounds! In fact, it's so uncommon that it can be difficult to find many statistics on the subject. There are many places because they are literally all over the place. It is estimated that about 1,500 black bears live in the national park. These Photos Prove It. We also share helpful tips and guides on a variety of topics related to animals and nature. So much so, that the Smokies are considered black bear sanctuaries. They can live at any elevation in the park, so you could see them near cabins in the woods or as you hike to the summit of Mt. Fawns are born in spring and are adorned with spots to help camouflage them from predators in their early months of life. Still, they will also give off warning signals before striking, that infamous loud rattle that lets you know you are too close. These bears pose a risk to public safety. The adult male river otter also moves around in packs consisting of other males of up to 15 or more. The black bears of Great Smoky Mountains are unusual in their den choicesthey often den several feet off the ground in standing hollow trees. Join Outside+ to get access to exclusive content, 1,000s of training plans, and more. Both female and male bears may have more than one mate during the summer. Males may weigh around 250 lbs in the summertime, but can double their weight in the fall when they are fattening up for winter. 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. It will all depend on the areas you go and the time of year. These volunteers also assist in managing people during roadside bear jams. You cant touch them since you would be interfering with the breathing system. Check out these 5 facts you should know about black bears in the Smoky Mountains: In the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, biologists estimate there are about 1,500 black bears. The Red Fox resembles a domestic dog in size, except for the white-tipped tail and black limbs, weighing up to 24 pounds. Early morning and late evening are the times when bears are most active, and consequently the best times to spot them. When you click and buy we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. But once the critical habitats are destroyed, major declines in bear populations are inevitable. Good luck and be safe! Bear management is really people management. 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. The Great Smoky Mountains website warns parkgoers to avoid coming within 50 feet of black bears, which are native to the region. A Wondrous Diversity of Life. Can You See the Smoky Mountains from Knoxville. 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. At this number, this creates a population density of two bears per square mile. First and foremost the consensus is to stay calm. All you need to know about the most visited national park in the country. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. Absolutely not! However loss of habitat has resulted in a significant reduction in this range. With numbers like that your odds of seeing a bear are pretty good, but picking the right spot can stack the deck. 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. Coyotes grow to about 4 feet in length and weigh up to 50 pounds. At some campsites, telephone poles were flown into remote backcountry areas because the trees around the campsites were too small to set up an effective cable system! Do not invite bears into your campsite by storing food in or around your tent. 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. This means that bear sightings in the park are not uncommon, especially during the early morning and late evening hours in . Bobcats have spotted coats, short ears, and stubby tails. Want to get listed and grow your business? Commonly known as Bucks in the region, they grow uneven horns every spring; used to fight other deers for mating rights by fall. It feeds on small game but can also eat human food if offered. Are There Mountain Lions in the Smoky Mountains? Past the campsite the trail starts climbing, gaining 2,000 feet in only 3 miles. This approach allows bears to remain in their home range, and discourages them from visiting developed areas or approaching people. However, bears in the Great Smoky Mountains Park are wild creatures and can be dangerously unpredictable. If you love to hike, you might even see black bears along the trails. See winners from every year of the contest. Hikers on their morning trips or afternoon hikes often report seeing black bears hanging out in the tree line. There are no grizzlies in the Smokies, or Tennessee at all for that matter. Want to get listed and grow your business? Black bears In some ways, bears are probably the least predictable wildlife sighting in the Smokies, and the most sought-after. Commonly born in pairs, the cubs will remain with the mother for about eighteen months or until she mates again. The American black bear might as well be the mascot of the Smoky Mountains! 7 Best Caves In The Smoky Mountains Youll Want to Explore. One to four cubs are born during the mother's winter sleep, usually in late January or early February. Want to get listed and grow your business? Humans are discouraged from feeding them because it reduces their lifespan significantly. 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. Black bears can be seen throughout the year except rarely during the winter months. 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}. If the bear gets closer, talk loudly or shout at it. Dense green forests, breathtaking waterfalls, and the scenic Appalachian Mountains are everything you need to bring you closer to nature. Spotting a bear in the Smokies can be a wonderful experience, but its important to remember that these majestic creatures can also be dangerous - and we can be dangerous to them. Use binoculars, telephoto lens, or a spotting scope to view the animals. The Chimneys Picnic Area also provides an excellent chance of spotting a bear! Bears are most active during early morning and late evening hours in spring and summer. Since Cades Cove features a stunning mountain backdrop and wide open valleys, many bears enjoy this beautiful space in the park. More Bearpacker: In the Woods of Oklahoma, Researchers Are Helping to Rebuild a Bear Population. 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. These Appalachian Mountains not only offer us a view of the picturesque beauty of nature but also let us experience its thrill by capturing the animals in the wild; in their natural habitat. Use binoculars, telephoto lens, or a spotting scope to view the animals. Keep an eye out for tracks, scat, digs, and trees that bears have rubbed. 11 Common Animals in the Great Smoky Mountains, 8 Best ATV & UTV Rentals in Smoky Mountains 2023. 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. As cute and cuddly as bears may appear, please remember they are wild animals and can be very dangerous when they feel threatened. Bears, like humans, are omnivores. They also feast on dead animals and prey on deer. There are around 1500-1600 black bears living in the Smoky Mountains National Park. Another great place to see bears in the Smoky Mountains is in the Cades Cove section of the national park. Call a ranger or visitor center if you spot someone else breaking the rules during their visit. If you are careless with your food or litter, YOU may be responsible for a bear's death! In addition, they are good tree climbers, can swim very well, and can run 30 miles per hour. This is a myth, it didnt work out too well for Leo DiCaprio either. Cades Cove is a popular place where many people see black bears. Learn what to do if you see a bear by watching this short video. The black bears can be seen in all elevations of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the surrounding areas. Bears in the Smokies are unusual in that they often den high above the ground in standing hollow trees.
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bears in the smoky mountains