June is one of the busiest times in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, not just for visitors but also for the park’s estimated 1,500 black bears. With more people and wildlife sharing the same spaces, understanding basic bear safety before your visit is more important than ever.
Spotting a bear in the Smokies can be an unforgettable experience, but it’s important to remember they are wild animals. Respecting their space and knowing how to respond helps keep both you and the bears safe.
Keep Your Distance
Keep your distance from bears at all times. While they may look calm or even curious, black bears are wild animals and can behave unpredictably, especially when food or cubs are involved.Park rangers recommend giving bears plenty of space and never approaching for a closer look or photo. If your presence causes a bear to stop what it’s doing, watch you, or change direction, you are too close.
Keeping your distance protects you, others around you, and the bear itself.
WARNING: Willfully approaching a black bear within 50 yards (150 feet), or any distance that disturbs or displaces a bear, is illegal in the park. Violation of this federal regulation can result in fines and arrest. Use binoculars, telephoto lens, or a spotting scope to view the animals. [NPS]
Do Not Feed The Bears
Feeding bears, even unintentionally, teaches them to associate people with food. This leads to bears approaching cars, campsites, and cabins in search of an easy meal. Food conditioned bears become more dangerous and unpredictable, and in many cases, must be relocated or euthanized. Keeping food secured and never feeding bears helps protect both visitors and wildlife.
While this may seem obvious, it’s still something rangers see far too often in busy areas like Cades Cove and the Cherokee Orchard area. Feeding bears, even unintentionally, teaches them to rely on humans for food.
Over time, this leads bears to approach cars, campsites, and cabins in search of an easy meal. These food-conditioned bears are more dangerous, more unpredictable, and far more likely to be euthanized for public safety.
Leave No Trace Of Food/Trash
It may seem harmless to toss an apple core or leftover food outdoors, but even small scraps can attract bears. Food, wrappers, and other scented items left behind teach bears to associate trails, campsites, and busy areas with an easy food source. Whether you’re hiking, camping, or staying in a cabin, always dispose of trash in bear-proof containers and pack out anything you bring with you. Remember, a fed bear is a dangerous bear.
If you know you are going to be exploring the outdoors ahead of time, plan on bringing something appropriate to contain your trash. Hikers should double bag their food in their backpack. Campers should not burn food scraps or trash at any fire pit or grill. If you brought it with you, then pack it out!
Picnic & Camping Precautions
Avoid attracting bears to your campsite by keeping all food and scented items properly stored. Bears have a powerful sense of smell and are easily drawn to anything with an odor, including food, trash, toiletries, and cooking gear. Store items in a locked vehicle when possible or use bear-proof containers. Backcountry regulations require that all food and odorous items be stored with the bear cable system at each campsite or shelter.
If You Encounter A Bear
If you see a bear before it notices you, do not approach. Observe from a safe distance, then quietly move away. If a bear sees you, remain calm and slowly back away while keeping it in view. Do not run, as this can trigger a chase response. If a bear approaches, stand your ground, make yourself appear larger, and use a firm voice or loud noises to scare it away. While rare, if a black bear makes contact, do not play dead. Fight back using anything available.
Trail & Backcountry Precautions
- Make your presence known. In many cases, a startled bear is an aggressive bear. Consider traveling with a group, as groups can be noisier and easier to detect.
- Bears are generally most active at dawn and dusk. Keep this fact in mind when planning your hikes and activities.
- There are hundreds of miles of marked trails in the Great Smoky Mountains; stay on them and be aware of your surroundings. Keep an eye out for tracks, scat, digs, and trees that bears have rubbed.
- Pets are not prohibited in the national park.
If You Encounter A Bear
- Stay calm. Don’t make sudden movements that could startle or disturb the bear.
- Be sure to give animal plenty of room and continue its activities as if you weren’t there. Remember: if it changes its behavior, you’re too close.
- If you spot a bear and he doesn’t see you, keep it that way. Back away slowly and quietly without disturbing the creature.
- A standing bear isn’t necessarily showing signs of aggression. A bear might stand on its hind legs to get a better view and survey its surroundings.
- If a bear starts pursuing you, consider throwing an item – like a camera or purse – away from you. This could distract the animal and give you time to make a clean get away.
- Make yourself look bigger to the bear. If you’re with a group, use your strength in numbers to increase your visual size; avoid looking like prey.
- Again, never feed or throw food to the bears. It’s a local saying: a fed bear is a dead bear.
