Black bear sightings are becoming increasingly popular in downtown Gatlinburg. With more than 1,500 black bears who call the Smoky Mountains home, it’s not uncommon to see a black bear when you visit the area. If you do encounter a bear when staying at our hotel or exploring the area, it’s important for both your safety and the bear’s safety that you know what to do and follow certain guidelines. To protect you and the bear, we’re sharing what to do when you encounter a black bear in Gatlinburg:
1. Never feed the bear.
The number one rule when you see a bear in Gatlinburg is not to feed it. We always say, “A fed bear is a dead bear.” You might think that feeding a bear will cause it to appreciate you and be more friendly, but that’s not the case. When a bear is fed, it learns to overcome its instinctive fear of humans. They will no longer be afraid to approach humans and are more likely to be aggressive. This also includes unintentional feeding. Make sure you secure trashcans and dumpsters, don’t leave food or food trash sitting out in the open, and remove all food and trash from your vehicles. If you witness someone feeding a black bear, it’s important to report the incident to authorities before the bear becomes a problem.
2. Never run from the bear.
When you spot a black bear in Gatlinburg, your first instinct may tell you to run. However, you never want to run from a bear. Running may trigger the bear to chase after you. You should always back away slowly in the opposite direction, keeping your eyes on the bear at all times. You never want to approach the bear for any reason. It’s best to move away quietly and leave the area.
3. Give the bear a clear escape route.
Another mistake people make when they encounter a black bear in Gatlinburg is crowding around it. You never want to corner a bear or make it feel trapped. Be sure that you leave a clear escape route for the bear. If you encounter them inside a building, you’ll want to leave all doors open as you back away from the bear.
4. Keep a safe distance from the bear.
You always want to keep a safe distance from the bear. Do not walk towards it, make it feel trapped, or reach out to it. You want to stay at least 150 feet away from the bear at all times. If you’re too close, back away slowly in the other direction. If a black bear approaches you, it’s important to stand your ground and only back away when the bear stops its approach. The key is to make yourself look big, make loud noises, clap your hands, and back away. In the rare event that a black bear makes contact with you, you’ll want to fight back with anything you have, from sticks, to bear spray, to kicking.
About Black Bears in Gatlinburg
When you stay at our downtown Gatlinburg hotel, there is a chance that you may spot a black bear during your visit. We love our Smoky Mountain black bears and want to do everything in our power to protect them and allow them to live peaceful lives in the area they call home. We ask that all guests and visitors take the necessary precautions to protect the bears and themselves. Please keep all cars locked and empty of food, don’t feed the bears, and don’t come in contact with the bears. By preparing yourselves on what to do if you encounter a black bear in Gatlinburg and the steps to take to avoid harming the bears, you’re allowing the bears to live freely in their home.
Black bears are beautiful creatures, and we know how exciting it is to spot them during your vacation! However, you have to remember that black bears are wild animals, and their behavior can be unpredictable. In order to continue to make black bear sightings an exciting experience for all, we must follow black bear safety tips and help protect our Smoky Mountain wildlife.
Places to Spot Black Bears in Gatlinburg
If you're hoping for a guaranteed sighting of a black bear in Gatlinburg, we recommend visiting Ober Mountain's Wildlife Habitat. It's home to a black bear family, including BJ, Holly, and Chief, and you'll also get to see other animals, like river otters, bobcats, and birds of prey. You'll also have a great chance of spotting black bears when you take a drive along the Cades Cove Loop Road or the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail!
Learn more about the top animals you can see in the Smoky Mountains when you visit.
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