Rocky Vs Smoky Mountains which is Better to Visit? 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! Don't run and don't turn away from the bear. The key to staying safe while staying at your cabins is to keep food and trash outside of your vehicle. 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. The black bear is kind of like the mascot for the Smokies, you see black bears on everything you can buy or rent. 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. 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. Also, you can find Rainbow Falls here which is a really popular waterfall. 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. The bear will probably do the same. 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). This is the only Mountain lion in the Smoky Mountains. Here are some tips on what to do if you encourage a black bear in the Smoky Mountains: If a black bear follows or approaches you, without vocalizing or paw swatting: Please dont worry if you do see a bear as attacks are very rare, and deaths are incredibly uncommon! One of the most biodiverse places in the world; the Smoky Mountains have everything and more to offer. Want to get listed and grow your business? To begin planning your stay, give us a call at (800) 953-5655 and book your vacation with one of our vacation specialists! Bears remain a majority of all the mammals present here, most likely seen during the Spring-summer months. 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. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States! The park is one of the largest protected areas where black bears live in the wild in the eastern United States. Don't discharge a firearm; this can cause a safety hazardfor other visitors. Most of the snakes you will encounter on your trip to the Peaceful Side of the Smokies are peaceful and reclusive reptiles. Male black bears can weigh about 250 pounds on average, while a female black bear weighs about 100 pounds. Mating usually takes place in July. Bear attacks on humans are very rare. Black in color, they are around six feet tall and three feet high at the shoulder. 250 pounds. Many people think leaving food inside a car is safe, but bears will happily break into a vehicle to access a granola bar. This could result in a person being injured and the bear being euthanized. As I mentioned above, allowing the bear to eat human food and trash also will decrease its lifespan significantly. If you do a bit of exploring you are likely to see one. Once they spot a catch, they grab it and roll over on their backs to eat while still in the water. If youre one of the latter, Great Smoky Mountains is the place. Although their bite is not lethal, it causes intense pain. 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. Dont run and dont turn your back from the black bear. These Photos Prove It. Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. Black bears love Cades Cove because it has a suitable ecosystem and a variety of food sources. Commonly known as Bucks in the region, they grow uneven horns every spring; used to fight other deers for mating rights by fall. Spotting a bear in the Smokies can be a wonderful experience, but it's important to remember that these majestic creatures can also be dangerous - and we can be dangerous to them. The newest attractions opening this year. For more information please read our privacy policy. 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. Check out our guide to Smoky Mountain wildlife for even more animals! At mile 5.9, turn right on the Crooked Arm Ridge trail to head back to the parking lot. These creatures can be about 6 feet long and three feet tall at the shoulder. The oldest known black bear lived to be 39. A bear sighting at the GSMNP makes for a great memory that wont soon be forgotten. Nearly 1,500 black bears live in the Smoky Mountains national park. Now I have not raced a bear recently so Ill have to take the internets word for this. Its on many peoples bucket list and they are easy to spot, if you go the right time of year. However, bears in the Great Smoky Mountains Park are wild creatures and can be dangerously unpredictable. Another place where many bear sightings are reported is Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. Black bears double their weight in the fall months. Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont Store: 9275 Tremont Road, Townsend . 250 pounds. At this number, this creates a population density of two bears per square mile. However, unlike popular belief, black bears are rarely aggressive towards people. Home Blog Smoky Mountain Wildlife Top 4 Places to See Bears in the Smoky Mountains. If you are carrying bear spray, begin to discharge it when the bear comes within 20 yards of you. Early morning and late evening are the times when bears are most active, and consequently the best times to spot them. 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. How Many Days Should You Stay in Gatlinburg, TN? However loss of habitat has resulted in a significant reduction in this range. They live in social units mostly a mother and her young ones until they mature. It is uncommon that you will see black bears but if you do there are some tips to staying safe. 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. In 2020, WKRN reported that at least 40 incidents occurred relating to bears attacking humans. WildlifeInformer.com is your #1 source for free information about all types of wildlife and exotic pets. Hikers should double bag their food in their backpack. The Timber Rattler has the most toxic venom of the two species. , Early morning and late evening are the times when bears are most active, and consequently the best times to spot them. 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. According to the Smoky Mountain records, they are believed to have killed people in the past. Black bears are perhaps the most "famous" wildlife in the Smoky Mountains (photo by Tom Middleton/shutterstock.com) 1. Violation of this federal regulation can result in fines and arrest. Females with newly born cubs usually emerge from their winter dens in late March or early April. Poaching: Unfortunately, the lure of high profits on international markets encourages the poaching of black bears. Our mission at Wildlife Informer is to share free information and pictures of wildlife with our readers. Dens are usually hollow stumps, tree cavities, or wherever there is shelter. Both species are elusive and nocturnal. Cades Cove. At the onset of winter, deers drop their horns and develop fresh ones. When visitors head to the Smoky Mountains, it is common they stay in one of their authentic cabins. Do not play dead. 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. 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. Everyone wants to see a black bear while they are visiting, and we want to share some interesting things about these beautiful creatures! Bears in the park are wild and their behavior can be unpredictable. Stand your ground if persistently followed. You can watch them in Cades Cove or Cataloochee in the Smoky Mountains in the meadows near forests. They grow to a max weight of 70 pounds and 3 Ft. long. There are around 1500-1600 black bears living in the Smoky Mountains National Park. 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 . They seem harmless at first glance, but are some of the most dangerous animals living in the smoky mountains when provoked. There are lots of chances to catch these beautiful yet wild creatures, but you need to take some safety precautions. So pack accordingly. Grizzly bears can be found in a select few states in the US. About 85% of their diet is from plants, though. 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. Skip the traffic jam and head into where the bears really live on the 8.5-mile Rich Mountain Loop. So dont feed the bears. Though populations are variable, biologists estimate that roughly 1,900 bears live in the park. Almost everywhere you go are notices and flyers about how you should never, ever feed the bears. One to four cubs are born during the mother's winter sleep, usually in late January or early February. One of the top places to see bears in the Smoky Mountains is at Cades Cove, a broad valley surrounded by mountains that offers some of the best opportunities for wildlife viewing in the national park! Please watch this short video. You can learn more about hibernation here. Some bears in the park have even been documented to weigh over 600 pounds! The bear's keen sense of smell leads it to insects, nuts and berries, but the animal is also enticed by the tantalizing smells of human food and garbage such as hot dogs, apple cores, chips, and watermelon rinds left on the ground in picnic areas, campgrounds, and along trails. 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. Copperheads are shy and tend to hide from open view. The Great Smoky Mountains are home to the densest population of black bears in the United States. There is only one species of bear in Tennessee and that is the black bear. Bears are like humans, they are omnivores. Warning: Bears are wild animals that are dangerous and unpredictable. It will all depend on the areas you go and the time of year. Animals ranging from Salamanders to Elks and bobcats flourish in the wild. Learn More About Black Bear Research in the Park. 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. 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. Click Here, 6 Facts You Should Know About Black Bears in the Smoky Mountains. Learn what to do if you see a bear by watching this short video. The icing on the cake is the presence of over 20,000 different species, which is any nature enthusiasts dream come true. Above all, keep your distance from bears! Back away slowly and quietly without disturbing the creature. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the largest protected areas in the east of the United States. Create a personalized feed and bookmark your favorites. Smoky mountains sustain an ecosystem consisting of thousands of species. The black bear is one of the most popular animals for visitors to spot in Tennessees Smoky Mountains! As you walk through the national park, you will see lots of notices and flyers that will remind you of the perils of feeding the bears. Not only do these bears have a shorter lifespan from eating human food; they are much more likely to be euthanized for attacking humans. If you travel to Gatlinburg expecting to see black bears everywhere you go, you may be disappointed. Grizzly bears can only be found in a few states in the US, including Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. The Bears are mainly vegetarian; they like to eat plants - squawroot, insects, wild berries, and nuts are their favorite. 4 Bedrooms, 5 Bathrooms. Poaching activities can be somewhat curtailed, and bear populations can eventually rebound from the losses. " The black bear is the symbol of the Smokies ," says wildlife biologist Bill Stiver. There is only one species of bear found in Tennessee, and that is the black bear. The idea is to "make yourself big" and scare the bear away. As cute and cuddly as bears may appear, please remember they are wild animals and can be very dangerous when they feel threatened. In the eastern section of North America, the majority of black bears are a deep black. A standing bear isnt necessarily showing signs of aggression. If you want to see black bears during your visit, we recommend heading to the Smoky Mountains during Spring or Summer. Hence, make sure to keep your eyes and ears open to spot them and prevent any accidents when you hike. This charming four-bedroom, five-bathroom cabin has plenty of space for . The National Park Service requires you to always stay 50 yards or 150 feet away from wildlife. If you are careless with your food or litter, YOU may be responsible for a bear's death! They also eat lizards, crayfish and fish. It's essential to keep your distance for your own safety, the safety of those around you, and the bear itself. 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