Most guests visiting the Smoky Mountains hope to catch a glimpse of its most famous resident, the American Black Bear! It is estimated that there are 1,900 black bears in the Smokies, and you never know when you might spot one of these amazing animals! For example, you might randomly spot one while driving or spend your entire trip hiking without seeing a bear at all! If you have your heart set on seeing the black bear, there are several places that we recommend you visit! Here are the top 3 places where you can see bears in the Smoky Mountains:
1. Cades Cove Loop Road
While Great Smoky Mountains National Park is naturally the best option for seeing black bears in the wild, you can increase your odds by visiting the Cades Cove section of the park! This is a scenic valley surrounded on all sides by mountains, and an 11 mile one-way loop road circles through the area. Cades Cove is a popular destination for bear sightings because the flat terrain makes it easier for bears to travel and forage, and there are abundant food sources in the area. Consider arriving in the early morning hours for your best chances of seeing a bear, as this is when they tend to be out searching for food. Bring along a pair of binoculars too, as you never know what you might spot when scanning the surrounding valley!
2. Wildlife Habitat at Ober Mountain
Another one of the top places to see bears in the Smoky Mountains is the Wildlife Habitat at Ober Mountain! If you didn’t have any luck in the National Park, you’re guaranteed to see bears here at this privately funded, municipally sponsored zoo! The Wildlife Habitat is home to an adorable black bear family, including BJ, Holly, and Chief, so have your camera ready to capture them in action! During your visit, you also have the chance to see river otters, raccoons, flying squirrels, snakes, turtles, and lots of other critters! The zoo has been put in place to provide people with an up-close viewing of native wildlife in a safe environment, and no wild animals are ever captured for exhibition.
3. Bear Habitat at the Three Bears General Store
While the last place you’d expect to see a bear is in a souvenir shop in Pigeon Forge, that’s exactly what you’ll find in the Bear Habitat at the Three Bears General Store! This unique habitat brings you face-to-face with the American Black Bear for a fun, safe, and educational experience! You can even purchase some Bear Bites, which are a sweet treat for the bears! Just keep in mind that the bear food is sold during limited hours since the bears are under strict veterinarian guidelines. During your visit, you’ll also have the chance to learn about bear safety, including what to do (and not do) if you see a bear in the wild!
Now that you know where you can see bears in the Smoky Mountains, it’s time to plan your vacation at our large cabin rentals in the Smokies! We look forward to seeing you soon!
