Mating usually takes place in July. We would prefer afternoon (3p-5p Is there showers avalible in the campground. Its common knowledge that black bears can be seen all over Gatlinburg and the Smoky Mountains National Park, we were excited to see one right out in the creek outside of our hotel room. Best Places to See Bears in the Wild Near Gatlinburg Cades Cove Cades Cove is an 11-mile loop road in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that is home to lots of wildlife. 3. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Beautiful Drive and seen bear - Cades Cove - Tripadvisor There is also an elk herd in this part of the National Park, so you might get a bonus in the form of an elk sighting! Choose a day that has a chance of rain in the forecast which typically clears out the park and gives you an opportunity to take some moody landscape shots in the morning fog. Rent a few for the whole family at the Cades Cove Campground Store at only $7.50 per hour for adults and $4.50 per hour for kids. Saw bear, horses and wild Turkeys. I like going early in the day but I have seen bears at all hours there. We will be visiting Cades Cove the first week of January 2018. On a leisurely drive along the Cades Cove Loop Road, visitors can see historic buildings, stunning mountain scenery, a beautiful green meadow, and more wildlife than they can ever imagine! Your email address will not be published. Regardless if you get to see the elusive black bears or not, you will undoubtedly enjoy your time in the Smokies simply because of the other kinds of wildlife and all the wonderful natural beauty present there. Yes, the scenery was beautiful. Carry binoculars and scan the edge of the woods for the tell-tale shape of black bears. Ever feed a family dog from the table or give him food off your plate? At the gateway to the valley, there's a picnic area offering 81 sites between Abrams Creek and Green Branch Creek. It is said that bears who have had regular access to human food may only live for half of this time. But, equally important as the blooms is Cades Cove's history as Cherokee land. The Cades Cove Loop is an 11-mile paved loop that runs one way. If you purchase anything from the Quest Cabin Store, send us a direct email telling us what you ordered, and a cell phone image of you sporting our merchandise, so we can mention you in a future video!! If youre looking for a bear sighting while in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN, youre in luck! When is the best time of year to see wildlife such as bears in particular at Cades Cove? Do not give up and let the bear think you are food. The hours of operation vary depending on available sunlight throughout the year. Additionally, if a park ranger catches you, you can receive a fine of up $6,000 and a jail sentence of up to 6 months. With temperatures ranging between the mid-70s and 80s, it is certainly cooler than most places in summer, making it a great location to take an early morning cycle or a leisurely evening drive. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. Each tent offers luxe, souped-up king-size beds with plush linens and even ensuite bathrooms with hot showers. Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail You can read more about the Three Bears General Store here. We greatly appreciate your support and each and every one of our followers! Under Canvas Great Smoky Mountains sits just an hour's drive from Cades Cove and offers a unique accommodation choice. We arrived about 9:30am, and it was fairly busy. Cades Cove is one of the most beloved and popular destinations in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. And, after a long day of taking in the black-eyed Susan, you'll appreciate the opportunity to unwind with its variety of locally sourced culinary dishes and nightly fire pits. We hope you have a great time on your trip and get to see some amazing wildlife! Ive only made this drive a couple of times and havent been in a while but its definitely very neat and if you are a photographer you can get some good pics of nature and your family. Early morning (6 - 10 a.m.) and late afternoon ( 3 - 7 p.m.) are the best times for bear viewing in Cades Cove. Traffic! In addition to bears, Cades Cove is a great place to see wild turkey, deer, raccoons, and groundhogs. You should stand your ground and wave your arms in the air and make noises to deter the bear. Approximately 1,500 black bears live in the park; this is the largest population ever recorded in the Smokies. TripSavvy / Ellen Lindner. 17 Things to Do In Cades Cove - Brooke In Boots With luck on your side, you may even spot a few cubs keeping close to mama bear, as they would have ventured out of their den for the first time only a few months ago in spring. But follow some of the tips below and youll greatly increase your chances. There is only one species of bear in Tennessee and that is the black bear. If you are hoping to see deer, early in the morning and very late in the afternoon are the best times to spot them. If you want to be sure to see a black bear, this is one of the places to go. 1,500 black bears If you are looking to spot black bears, the best times are late afternoons. In general, anywhere in the park is a good place to see bears. In addition, our knowledge about black bears continues to grow, thanks to professors and researchers at the University of Tennessee who have been studying the black bears of the Smokies since 1968. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for National Park Service Arrowhead Zippo Lighter W/Leather Sheath Smokey bear USFS at the best online prices at eBay! Ranked #25 of 105 Attractions in Great Smoky Mountains National Park lablvr201. So pack accordingly. Dont want to lug your bike to the mountains? A bear sighting at the GSMNP makes for a great memory that wont soon be forgotten. One of our favorite spots in Cades Cove is the Pearl Harbor Tree. If you are planning a trip to the Smokies, you may be wondering when the best time to see bears in the Smoky Mountains is. This is taken very seriously in the Smokies and I suggest you take it seriously as well. Each with varying levels of rewards:Patreon https://www.patreon.com/questcapsuleHelp support the channel with a small PayPal donation to help our channel and our ability to bring new content to you grow! I prefer this time of year as the crowds are lower, the river and falls are full from the spring rains and have seen as many as 10 bears at the cove. The reason for this is somewhat of a mystery except for the fact that bears are not interested in being seen by humans. 6 Secret Spots in Cades Cove You Have to Explore - Visit My Smokies Also, be sure to like, share, and comment!Subscribe To Our Channel: https://www.youtube.com/questcapsuleDrop by The Quest Cabin Merchandise Store to see our latest collection of various designs of t-shirts, hoodies, home decor, organic tote bags, pint glasses, mugs, and other fun designs and products. February 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. It can also make the bear too brave and result in a bear attack. Since Cades Cove features a stunning mountain backdrop and wide open valleys, many bears enjoy this beautiful space in the park. Read more about black bears in the National Park here. Click Here, Top 4 Places to See Bears in the Smoky Mountains. Cades Code Loop. Though, if you cant muster up the strength at dawn, give dusk a try as the late afternoon and evening hours present another great opportunity to catch sight of a black bear. Spirit Bears: As with the grizzly bears, the best time to see the spirit bears is the summer when you can cruise the coast of B.C. The winter months are slower, and you have the chance to see snow in Cades Cove, as long as the roads are safe, which is a spectacular sight to see! Whales: In the summer you can see lots of different whale species, including humpbacks, orcas and beluga. Cades Cove is home to one of the largest populations of black bears and one of the easiest places to see them. The main thing you should take away from this is that you cannot outrun a bear. 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A rarity to be sure, bobcats are nocturnal and roam Cades Cove in silence while stalking their prey, so if you catch a glimpse of these graceful animals, treasure it for all time. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. The scenic driving tour through the Cades Cove Loop takes approximately two to four hours depending on traffic. In general, just using common sense is the best way to stay safe while viewing bears. If you visit the park there is a very good chance you will encounter one. Open areas like Cataloochee and Cades Cove offer some of the best opportunities to see white-tailed deer, elk, black bear, raccoon, turkeys, woodchucks, and other animals. September and early October are beautiful with the colorful fall foliage and crisp temperatures. However, this adorable black bear everyone was pushing gave people the impression that they were approachable, and people began trying to get up close and feed the bears. Home Blog Smoky Mountain Wildlife Top 4 Places to See Bears in the Smoky Mountains. #GreatSmokyMountains #Bear, 1. My only complaint is that I didn't get to see a bear, but that's the bear's fault, not Cades Cove. A dollar or two helps us more than you know and is ALWAYS much appreciated!PayPal https://paypal.me/questcapsuleFollow us on Social Media! Use the bathroom and make your kids do so before! With 360-degree views of the Great Smoky Mountains, abundant wildlife, waterfalls, and over a dozen historic structures, there are virtually endless things to do in Cades Cove. There are also pullouts along the way, so you can stop for a bit, write a tad in your journal, sketch a passing herd of white-tailed deer, and go on your merry way. At times, the traffic dies get backed up, especially when there is a bear sighting. November, January, February, and March are the slowest months of the year, with the exception of December picking back up. I travel in early May. We had been in the Cove for a little while and hadn't seen any bears yet, and my mom asked whereabouts they are generally located, and the woman's reply was simply, "Everywhere," like it was ridiculous that we hadn't been able to spot any yet. If a bear charges at you, they say not to run. Park ranger suggested that we go 2 hour before sunset to avoid traffic If you are on a wild bear chase around the loop, be patient. It is illegal and irresponsible to feed the bears. When it comes to bear sightings, the best time to drive along the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail is during the early morning or evening hours. If a bear makes a move towards you or makes loud noises or swats the ground, it is demanding more space. In addition to bears, Cades Cove is a great place to see wild turkey, deer, raccoons, and groundhogs. Since Cades Cove features a stunning mountain backdrop and wide open valleys, many bears enjoy this beautiful space in the park. Use a telefoto lens, binoculars, or a spotting scope to view bears. So it is best to just do the right thing and go the other way. Cades Cove: Beautiful Drive and seen bear - See 5,518 traveler reviews, 6,311 candid photos, and great deals for Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN, at Tripadvisor. This State Is One of the Best in the U.S. for a Spring Road Trip With 800,000 Miles of Wildflower-lined Highways, 25 Best Mother-daughter Trips Around the World, 12 Best Places to Go Camping in Colorado for an Incredible Outdoor Adventure in the Centennial State, This Small Town in North Carolina Has the Only Hot Springs in the State. Dont forget to grab a tour booklet at the entrance packed with information on the restored structures from the 1800s, nature trails, and local wildlife before you set off in pursuit of black bears at Cades Cove! Both female and male bears may have more than one mate during the summer. While traffic along the loop may be heavy, the slower pace will keep your photos picturesque and your memories strong. Its definitely worth a visit and you get to see amazing historic buildings as well. And people lose sight that this is still a wild animal and can be aggressive and dangerous. In front of us were 3 pick up trucks with 12 kids in the back with the tailgates down. In fact, there are around 1,500 black bears within the boundaries of the national park, and Cades Cove is the best place to catch a glimpse of this magnificent animal. They are bears, sure they can be dangerous if provoked or threatened. Is that a dog in the meadow? Introduction: My name is Dean Jakubowski Ret, I am a enthusiastic, friendly, homely, handsome, zealous, brainy, elegant person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you. Sunny skies, lush greenery, dense meadows, impulsive showers, rushing waters, grazing wildlife, foraging bearssummertime at Cades Cove, one of the most visited sites in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is beautiful to say the least. Early morning (6 10 a.m.) and late afternoon ( 3 7 p.m.) are the best times for bear viewing in Cades Cove. Its an 11 mile loop to circle the cove, you will see many other tourists driving through here in the busy season trying to catch a glimpse of black bears and other wildlife. Early morning (6 - 10 a.m.) and late afternoon ( 3 - 7 p.m.) are the best times for bear viewing in Cades Cove. November, January, February, and March are the slowest months of the year, with the exception of December picking back up. According to bear.org, black bears hibernate for up to 7.5 months a year. This is in the spring and summer months, and keep in mind that in winter the bears are hibernating so you wont see any bears in mid-to late December through about March. Plus, you might want to know when the best time to see wildlife is so you know when to visit. However if you just simply explore the park, ask some locals, and visit a couple of the places mentioned in this article, you have a better than average chance of seeing one in the wild. 12 years ago Save barbie keep in mind the daylight savings time will be on November 7th so it will get dark around 5:00ish not unless you go before Nov.7th. Bears inhabit all elevations of the park. What are the Best Times to Visit Cades Cove Marietta, Georgia 2 Votes Keep in mind that bears hibernate in the dead of winter. Explore the historic buildings! It's nestled in its own 82 acres of lush, wooded terrain. There have been reports of bears weight upwards of 600 lbs. There are many places because they are literally all over the place. It's one of the most popular spots for bear sightings. It really is a matter of luck. Cades Cove is a broad, lush, green valley surrounded by mountains that is one of the most popular destinations in the Great Smoky Mountains. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Thank you so much! Late April to October is peak visiting time for the area. Black bears are incredibly good climbers and sometimes even make their dens up high, so keep an eye on the treetops as well as the forest floor. Sometimes you can get caught in a "bear jam" and cars will not move. If youve never seen an elk in person youll be amazed at how large these majestic creatures are. This Little-known Valley in California Has Stunning Springtime Wildflowers and a Chic, Revamped Motel. Just use common sense and be respectful when viewing these beautiful animals! The Little River Road is an excellent place to see bears as the road runs parallel to the Little River for 18 miles, traveling between the Cades Cove park entrance in Townsend to the Sugarlands Visitor Center in Gatlinburg. Bears can be found throughout the park, but are easiest to spot in open areas such as Cades Cove and Cataloochee Valley. The drive was slow but enjoyable. While getting up early may not be your cup of tea, the wee morning hours are when black bears come out for breakfast. In spring you can expect to see beautiful spring flowers everywhere, and during the fall the mountains come alive with changing leaf colors. November 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. They have an amazing 5000 square foot habitat with a pond and waterfall, and each bear has an individual den. Back away slowly, give them their space, and never approach them for both your and their safety. If you want to see black bears, you should visit Cades Cove sometime between late spring and early fall. This is a really neat place to go and you can get tickets to their multiple attractions or just the wildlife encounter. Where is the best place to see bears in the Smokies? Even if stuck at the back of a Cades Cove bear jam.A CADES COVE State of Mind - SECRETS To Seeing Bears and ENJOYING Every Trip Around The Loop #cadescove #cadescovebears #cadescovetipsIf you enjoyed this content, please subscribe to our channel and join the Quest Capsule family. The city boasts impressive museums, fun things to do, a vibrant downtown area, and lively shopping and arts districts. However, this also means humans are less likely to see black bears. Get quick answers from Cades Cove staff and past visitors. It was The. The picnic site is open all year round, every day starting at sunrise. Where Is The Best Place to See Bears in Gatlinburg While driving along the loop road or stopping to stretch your legs for a short hike, keep your eyes open as you may get to see mother black bears with her cubs walking around! Now, more bears are truly wild and less likely to approach humans. There are several food items that can be found up there. These shoulder seasons have fewer tourists than summer, reasonably priced hotels, and the best weather and events of the year. Our familys favorite sighting was on the Laurel Falls Trail, where we saw a mother and two cubs further up the mountain (away from the trails), and that is not part of the Cades Cove Loop. Please zoom back in. Cades Cove Cades Cove is one of the most popular destinations in see black bears in the Smoky Mountains, and the area is easily accessible with the 11 mile loop road. By the time you get to where the bear was sighted, it has gone away. Cades Cove: Wildlife Safari in the Great Smoky Mountains Its a 5.4 mile round trip hike and is rated as moderately strenuous. gift shop we visited out of all the places we went to on our Smoky Mountain vacation. While you may not like traffic, fall is one of the best times to visit Cade Cove! Your email address will not be published. Many bears have been spotted along Newfound Gap Road for years, especially in sections that are close to rivers and streams since bears like those areas for food. This is also a great time to take pictures in the Cove. Preferred Foods: Nuts, acorns, fruit, insects, succulent greens. One animal you will most likely see is the white-tailed deer. Most of the National Park is wooded, but Cades Cove is in a valley and has open spaces, where bears cant hide as easily. Cades Cove is home to some of the absolute best parts of Smoky Mountains including historic cabins, sprawling meadows, deer, elk, and the park favorite - black bears. 13 BEARS ON CAPTIVATING CADES COVE LOOP, 5. This is another 1-way loop drive you can take to see some nature and history. Remember, many Black bears live in the area, so be mindful. 6 Reasons You Should Visit Cades Cove - Smoky Mountain Travel Guide Therefore, your odds are pretty good if you plan to spend any significant amount of time in the park! Bring binoculars! Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. Cades Cove Guide: What To Do And See - Discover the Great Smokies In January and February, the area can be humid and muggy, so the best months to visit are October, November, and March to May. The road goes parallel to an old abandoned logging railroad track. Between the traffic in Gatlinburg to get to the park, then the curvy 24 miles to get to Cades Cove, then getting in and it being stand still, barely moving car to car, and lots of people honking in frustration in a one way loop ugh! Besides the bears, we really love the underwater viewing area for the adorable river otters. In July and August, the visitor center opens at 9 am and closes at 7 pm. National Park Service Arrowhead Zippo Lighter W/Leather Sheath - eBay Black Bears, Cades Cove - YouTube It was planted the day of the attack by a man named Golman Myers, who heard of the attack on the radio and knew the . Having determined when they are probably laying hibernating and making themselves scarce you can assume that the best time to spot a black bear is going to be in the spring, summer or early fall. However, some bears are active at night to possibly avoid people or other bears. Thank you for visiting! This is a myth, it didnt work out too well for Leo DiCaprio either. Going to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in hopes of seeing bears is the first step, coming to Cades Cove with the right attitude, and good old-fashioned patience is the next.We've been coming to Cades Cove for years and love it every time. You may be thinking then why is the NBA team in Memphis, Tennessee called the Memphis Grizzlies? This team was originally in Vancouver, Canada and apparently on Vancouver Island there have been instances of grizzly bear sightings. June and July are the best months to visit Montreal in summer. This scenic 33 mile route travels through some of the highest elevations of the national park, so there are plenty of gorgeous mountain overlooks to enjoy too! Give it to him obviously, but dont run. Here, visitors find some of the best opportunities for wildlife viewing in the park. Pro tip: If you are traveling with anyone with a Tennessee or North Carolina fishing license, you can also make a fishing trip out of the day. There is approximately one bear per square mile in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, but your best chance to see the black bears are at Cades Cove. Tissfla is a website that writes about many topics of interest to you, it's a blog that shares knowledge and insights useful to everyone in many fields. While Cades Cove has much to offer year-round, black-bear sightings are why many tourists and locals pay a visit in summer, so weve prepared a list of top tips to help YOU spot a black bear! Where to See Bears in Gatlinburg (Guide for 2023) And seeing it all is rather inexpensive, as it costs just $5 for a daily parking tag at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Other bear safety tip scan be found here: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/nature/black-bears.htm. Glaze Drying Times: How Long Should Glaze Dry Before Firing? We were really glad to have seen bears, as this was our main reason for going to Cades Cove in the first place. Go in the morning(6 a.m. to 10 a.m.) or late afternoon(3 - 7 p.m.). Use your best judgment, give them plenty of space, and dont approach them. Cades Cove: Best place to see black bears! Exploring the entire area takes about two to four hours, depending on how many stops you make. The valley, located in the picturesque Great Smoky. According to the National Park Service, the best time to try and see them is May through August, giving you plenty of time to catch a glimpse. In fact, there are around 1,500 black bears within the boundaries of the national park, and Cades Cove is the best place to catch a glimpse of this magnificent animal. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. The bears at this unique store were rescued from a nearby hunting farm and have been cared for at the General Store for over 25 years. Cades Cove is known by many to be the best place in the Smokies to view wildlife. Chillicothe, Ohio When is the best time of year to see wildlife such as bears in particular at Cades Cove? Keep your distance from cubs, as the mama bear will be close by and may see you as a threat to her young. So, bring binoculars that way you can see them when theyre peeking at you. But even Cades Cove has times throughout the year that it becomes very busy. As I mentioned above, allowing the bear to eat human food and trash also will decrease its lifespan significantly. 2. We stopped there and took lots of family pictures.Before we saw any bears, though, we had come across one "Park Volunteer" who seemed a little put out to answer any questions. Though, if traveling slow isnt your game, choose to go on a weekday as the cove tends to become more crowded on the weekends. If you purchase through a link on my site, I may earn a commission. Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. You are zoomed out too far to see location pins. Spotting Black Bears in Cades Cove (2023) - tissfla.com What is the working principle of a centrifugal pump. If Cades Cove is known for anything, its known for the 11-mile loop road that surrounds the area feel free to traverse by bicycle, foot, or car. August starts to get pretty hot and the chance of rain increases this month. Pearl Harbor Tree. Wildlife Informer is reader-supported. You can expect traffic during any major holiday or holiday weekend. is like throughout the year so you can be prepared for your visit! Do not approach the bear. The popular Cades Cove is one of the best places to see black bears in the wild. This is large part due to the cut back of nuisance bears, the ones people condition to approach humans for food. 6 Essential Tips for Cades Cove Wildlife Viewing A self-guided tour booklet is offered at the road's entrance for travelers seeking a little assistance. The chances of seeing a bear in Gatlinburg are actually quite good! Every purchase you make supports the Quest Capsule Channel. Cades Cove is the most popular spot within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and it is something that you and your family are not going to want to miss out on. In this article, well tell you about the best places to go. Although you probably wont need to use it, the peace of mind and security of knowing you have it on your hip so you can enjoy your hiking, camping or swimming is priceless. We were all very pleased we stopped in. Late spring and early fall are particularly good times to visit if you're looking for bears. Oh my. Black Bears in Cades Cove - cades cove What Time Do Bears Come Out in Gatlinburg? These hours are reduced a bit in September and October, opening at 9 am and closing at 6:30 pm. Though not widely known, black bears are actually pretty decent swimmers, so dont be afraid to check out the nearby waters from a distance. We werent. If you do a bit of exploring you are likely to see one. There are no grizzlies in the Smokies, or Tennessee at all for that matter. It truly helps and allows us to explore new, interesting places and the time and efforts involved in creating new vlog content for you to enjoy! Here's how to plan a trip right now. Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful, Address: Apt. Its worth it when you do see one. Free shipping for many products! Spring has officially sprung in the Great Smoky Mountains. Enjoy viewing the bears from the two level observation facility. We met folks that absolutely love the Cades Loop and do it every year. Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you. Otherwise, the road is open to motor vehicles from sunrise to sunset daily. Best place to see black bears! - Review of Cades Cove, Great Smoky Shop Merch Store https://www.thequestcabin.comSupport us on Patreon with 3 Membership Tiers that help support the Quest Capsule Channel. That means sticking to the designated trails and paths, never picking flowers, and, if you can, try to visit during off-peak hours. We saw 7 bears this year in November. Best Time to See Bears in the Smoky Mountains - Wildlife Informer