The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a popular destination for nature-lovers hoping to catch a glimpse of wildlife in their natural habitats. It also offers some of the best places to see bears in the Smoky Mountains. That’s a little surprise since the park is home to over 1,500 years and has the highest density of black bears in North America.
However, with the park covering over 500,000 acres of land, you’ll want to be intentional on where and when you visit to ensure a bear sighting. To help you narrow down your travel plans, here’s a list of 8 of the best places in the Smoky Mountains to see bears.
Best places to see bears in the Smoky Mountains
Get your binoculars ready because you don’t want to get too close when you catch a glimpse of bears at one of the following best bear-sighting spots. Remember, it’s illegal to be closer than 50 yards to a wild black bear!
1. Cades Cove
Cades Cove is one of the most popular spots to see bears in the Smoky Mountains. They enjoy the openness and the remote wooded environments in the area. People often see bears when hiking the trails in the area, including the Rich Mountain Loop Trail and Gregory Ridge Trail.
Summer in Cades Cove is well known to be bear time. However, you can also spot them in late spring and late fall. They are most likely to be wandering around searching for food in the early mornings or evenings. However, they may be hanging out 20 feet above ground in hollowed-out sections of large trees in the hot daytime.
Cades Cove Loop
Besides visiting Cades Cove to hike the trails, you can also explore the area by driving along the Cades Cove Loop. Being in your car lets you keep a safe distance from the bears as you watch them in their natural habitat. However, be aware of “bear jams” where traffic stops because of bear sightings.
Along the 11-mile loop, you are most likely to see the bears wandering along the creek, through fields, or near historic buildings. There are also plenty of food sources along the drive, such as blackberries and huckleberries, so make sure to keep an eye out when passing berry bushes.
2. Little River Road
This 18-mile road gets you from Gatlinburg to Cades Cove and is another route that offers chances to see wildlife, such as bears, by the roadside. The road curves along the Little River and there are plenty of stop-off points with waterfalls.
One hiking trail along Little River Road that is known for bear sightings is the 1.3 paved trail to Laurel Falls. Bears typically stay a safe distance from the trail path, wandering around and hunting for berries.
3. Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail
This motor nature trail is an 8-mile, one-way road taking you from downtown Gatlinburg to Roaring Fork. The area has lots of berries and nuts, making it a popular spot for bears to find food in the mornings, late afternoons, and evenings.
Make sure to drive slow (less than 5 miles per hour) and keep your eye on the trees for the best chance of seeing bears. You can often see cubs playing around in the trees while their parents forage for food.
4. Newfound Gap road
Another popular driving route for bear sightings is the 33-mile Newfound Gap Road, which is considered the lowest pass through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The road passes multiple rivers and streams where bears like to hang out by in search of food. You can also sometimes see them crossing the road to get to the waterbodies. For more information about the Smokies during your drive, you can pick up an auto tour guidebook from the visitor centers in the national park.
5. Cataloochee Valley
Although Cataloochee Valley is known for being home to a wild elk herd, it is also a popular location to spot bears. It’s a remote area in the park that offers a quiet place for bears to find food. The wide-open area with little tree cover also means you can usually see bears foraging from a safe distance. People hiking the 10.2-mile Little Cataloochee trail in the area have also reported bear sightings during their hike.
6. Bear-Foot Lodge
Located along the Little River and Smoky Mountain boundary, Bear-Foot Lodge is a 6-bedroom cabin you can rent that is known for bear sightings. The cabin is on a ridge where bears live at the bottom and the bears will frequently pass the cabin when crossing to the other side. Do be aware, though, that there have been reports of bears taking a dip in the hot tub on-site!
7. Ober Gatlinburg’s Wildlife Encounter
If you aren’t keen on seeing bears along your hiking trail or in your hot tub, you can always experience up-close viewings in a safer environment. Ober Gatlinburg’s Wildlife Encounter is home to a black bear family, including a couple with their two grown cubs. A visit here also lets you see other native animals such as bobcats, river otters, and birds of prey.
8. Three Bears General Store
Another bear-sighting experience location on your visit to the Smoky Mountains area is the Three Bears General Store in Pigeon Forge. This souvenir shop features a live bear habitat where you can see and feed the bears.
There is a great observation area from the two-level facility where you can see the three bears that have been in their care for over 25 years after being rescued by a hunting farm. You can also get fudge or ice cream and visit the Make-UR-Bear Factory to make your own bear take home.