Certainly the Black Bears of the Smokies are the stars of the show. The bears are still the #1 attraction in the Smoky Mountains. When people think of the Great Smoky Mountains, often one of the first things to come to mind is bears! Bears are seen in the National Park but also in areas around the park such as Chalet Village and Ski Mountain in Gatlinburg, the Wears Valley area of Sevierville, Townsend and many other areas.
The National Park is one of the largest protected areas in the Eastern United States where black bears can safely live in their natural habitat. There are approximately 1500 bears in the park. That means there are two bears per square mile!
Bear sightings are fairly common in the Park and surrounding areas, especially in the early morning or late afternoon. Spring and Summer are the best time to see the bears when the mothers will emerge with their cubs as they seek food. The babies remain with their moms until they are around 18 months old.
Please respect the bears if you see one. Do not disturb them, keep a safe distance and never feed them! Keep all food and garbage picked up and disposed of properly. Black bears are one of the treasures of the Smoky Mountains. Let’s keep them safe and healthy!
Anytime you are out bear photo hunting, be sure to stop by the Mountain Realty Group office. We are located at 3240 Wears Valley Rd., right next to the National Park and the new section of the Foothills Parkway! We would love to meet you and help you with your real estate needs. Our agents are knowledgeable, friendly and ready to help you buy or sell!
