The park protects the largest colony of the federally endangered Indiana myotis in the state of Tennessee. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. On this path, visitors have reported spotting an amazing variety of wildlife, including bears, wild turkeys, coyotes, and much more. Think that one potato chip won't hurt? 1 on our list for its incredible amenities (photo courtesy of VRBO), When I book a mountain cabin, I want to be up in the mountains, with a view and some privacy. To increase your luck of seeing wildlife, try to be as quiet as you can and never approach them too closely. The white-tailed deer is widespread and easily seen; its bigger relative, the elk, was hunted out of the Southern Appalachians by the mid-19th century and reintroduced to the park in 2001 and 2002. Drive this 11-mile loop (or better yet bike it in the summers on Wednesdays when its closed to car traffic) to see whitetail deer, woodpeckers, bears, or otters. The best way to experience the Smoky Mountains is to do what the original settlers and explorers did: hit the trails. Though populations are variable, biologists estimate approximately 1,500 bears live in the park, a density of approximately two bears per square mile. Sevierville Chamber of Commerce | Sevierville Convention & Visitors Bureau. Keep reading to learn more about these creatures: Although black bears can be active any time of day, they seem to be out more often during early morning and late evening. It's also a good idea to carry binoculars. It is also home to the famous 80-foot-tall waterfall named Laurel Falls. The non-native (aka exotic) ungulate is the feral hog or razorback, hybrid swine descended from escaped domestic pigs and Eurasian wild boar that were intentionally brought to America for hunting purposes. Females can weigh 500 pounds and stand nearly as tall as this pickup truck. Laurel Brand is a semi-paved family-friendly trail and is one of the most popular trails within the Great Smoky Mountains. Winter hiking is one of the best ways to see snow in the Smokies. Take care of your own safety: Consider carrying bear spray, make noise when passing around blind corners or through thick brush, and observe from a distance. If you see a bat at night, it is most likely a big brown bat, eastern red bat or tri-colored bat. This out-and-back hike - about 0 . My favorite national park to visit on the east coast lies along the southern stretch of Appalachian mountains, on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. Food sources like berries and wild apples, access to water, and good denning sites all increase the chances of spotting one of the Smokies bruins on your hike. He took his time, standing and posing, and pissing off fellow tourists trying to drive past him. They mostly eat rabbits and hares, but can also eat birds and rodents. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. . Female elk with calves have charged people in defense of their offspring. The two best places to sight bears are in Cades Cove, which is on the western side of the park, and Cataloochee Valley, which is on the parks east side. Hearing a chorus of wood frogs in late winter or early spring or the wild cry of a pileated woodpecker in the deep woods; watching a whitetail doe lead her spotted fawns across a Cades Cove meadow; marveling at a split-second glimpse of a black bear dashing across Rich Mountain Roadwildlife observations can be some of the most unforgettable experiences on a visit to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Two magnificent waterfalls, astonishing geological formations, and a pleasant swimming hole are all included in this trek. Any hikers should note that their skin's oil may interfere with the salamander's ability to absorb oxygen because they breathe through their skin. Well, thats another kettle of fish altogether. What makes them special? Remember that the Alum Cave Path is not pet-friendly, and for good reason: Black bears frequent the area. Move away from the animal until you reach a distance at which the animal feels comfortable once again and resumes whatever activity it was engaged in before you approached. These bears are most commonly spotted in the area between the trailhead and Arch Rock. In 2001, elk were released into Cataloochee Valley in an effort to reintroduce them to the park. Youll have a much better chance of seeing elk on the North Carolina side of the Smokies. She was born in the south and has spent most of the last few years exploring new states. Currently, theres no proof of an active mountain lion population in the Smokies, but this is a hot topic among some folks. The Great Smoky Mountains offer pristine hiking trails, recreation, breathtaking scenery, and best of all some of the best wildlife viewing within easy reach for all visitors. The Best Place to Seek Out Wildlife: Cades Cove Cades Cove is often cited as the best place to seek out wildlife in the Smokies because of its huge open meadows. Join Outside+ to get access to exclusive content, 1,000s of training plans, and more. Peaceful summer evenings exploring hidden gems, A Photojourney Through Providence Canyon: Georgias Hidden Gem, Glamping On Little Raccoon Key: Georgias Cutest Private Island, Hiking Rocky Mountain National Park in the Winter, Top Three Sunset Hikes In Colorado Springs. Below well outline three of the best spots in the Smokies to see wildlife. In the Smokies, this includes coyotes, red foxes and gray foxes. Much of the park is densely wooded which can make spotting local birds and deer tricky, but here you're almost guaranteed to catch a glimpse. Wildlife viewing is one of the most popular activities in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The trail is lovely to explore at any time of the year and is open all year. There have been significant expansions and improvements to Zoo Knoxville and it remains one of the best places in the world to see Red Pandas, which makes the trip from Pigeon Forge to Knoxville well worth it. If saving an animal's life is not enough incentive for you, did you know that feeding, approaching, or disturbing park wildlife is a violation of federal regulations and can result in fines and arrest? Elk are typically seen in Cataloochee Valley. The Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail passes by a number of old-growth trees, historic buildings, and breathtaking views of rushing mountain streams. The One Subscription to Fuel All Your Adventures. Animal sightings are less frequent over the summer during the middle of the day when the heat is high. To see elk in the park, head to Cataloochee in the southeastern section of the park. Black Bears The most popular animal people want to see is a black bear. It states that Willfully approaching within 50 yards (150 feet), or any distance that disturbs or displaces bear or elk is prohibited." Much of the park is densely wooded which can make spotting local birds and deer tricky, but here youre almost guaranteed to catch a glimpse. Deer are known to graze right after a rain and on foggy afternoons, so you have more of a chance of spotting them during those times. You can see a full checklist of fish species on the NPS website. During winter wildlife is more visible because deciduous trees have lost their leaves. Deer are in wide abundance in the Smokies. Expect everything from headwater streams to low-elevation rivers. There is plenty of wildlife to see along this 5.5-mile loop route in the Smoky Mountains. This works out for the better if youre a photographer whos okay with long walks, since youll have a higher chance of seeing wildlife without vehicle traffic in the valley! The gap is the lowest drivable pass through the park and the Newfound Gap Road climbs dramatically to within a half mile of Clingmans Dome, the highest peak in the Smokies. Elk can grow up to 700 pounds, making them one of the largest creatures in the national park. Simply turn over stones and logs in wet places near creeks throughout the park to see these fascinating creatures. Every year there is a viewing event held in Elkmont, this firefly-watching event is extremely popular, so make sure to get tickets in advance! They are often active in the early morning but can appear at any time. Most birds and squirrels are in the woods. Youll likely not see them in the evenings, as they roost in the trees. Plus, youll find all kinds of bugs. Another good place to explore is the Newfound Gap Road. You can see birds all year round in the Great Smokies, though visibility and variety tends to peak during the spring and fall migrations. The Great Smoky Mountains low elevations reveal Louisiana waterthrushes or eastern meadowlarks. The valley features spectacular views and several historic buildings that include a pair of churches, a school and a handful of homes. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate and a partner of other affiliate programs including Booking.com, CJ and Tripster, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases via links found in this article. Alum Cave Trail. When the weather turns cold, they vanish from the woods, heading into their dens for a winter of hibernation. Sep 22, 2014 Have you ever wondered how many bears are in the Smoky Mountains? We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Bear sightings in the Cove are slightly more random. Fortunately, the Great Smoky Mountains are part of the Appalachian Mountains, which is known as the salamander capital of the world. From the original Appalachian Trail to breathtaking wildflower walks, there are 150 Smoky Mountain trails covering 800 miles of pristine backcountry. With a diverse animal population, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the perfect place for animal lovers. To see this jaw-dropping display of lights, youll want to go around the end of May, beginning of June. A spotting scope is also a great tool, particularly for wildlife-watching from the car; you can prop it against a partly rolled-down window for a steadier view. These feral hogs are a major problem in the Southern Appalachians and across much of the Southeast, as theyre ecologically destructive. Cast your flies to native brook, wild rainbow and brown trout in several miles of fishable streams. While not ideal, Zoo Knoxville offers the black bears a more friendly enclosure with some room to run and play. , Dollywood's DreamMore Resort may be more expensive, but it does come with some impressive amenities (photo by Morgan Overholt/TheSmokies.com), So youre planning an East Tennessee vacation. Wildlife is more active when visitors are not. Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! They spend most of their time searching the ground for nuts, berries, and insects. Another perk of waking up at the crack of dawn? Youre forced out of your comfort zone and become quite good at small talk and making friends. Theres so much to see even just from the side of the road! What used to be a Cherokee hunting ground is now a short valley road with a church and a campground, and a favorite place to graze among elk. 2023 - SmokyMountains.com. Most of the parks caves provide critical bat habitat, but people are not allowed to enter the caves as human disturbance can negatively impact bats. Every spring, synchronous fireflies put on a show for those in the southern Appalachians. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. ). Because many animals are most active at night, it can be advantageous to look for wildlife during morning and evening. Get a free Great Smoky Mountains National Park trip planner for inspiring itineraries and essential information. Flickr Female elk in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee #1 in Great Smoky Mountains National Park Address: U.S. Route 441 Free, Sightseeing TYPE Half Day to Full Day In the Smoky Mountains, the bears seem to prefer 6 to 10 am and 3 to 7 pm, as these times are cooler and more peaceful during the spring and summer. Two black bears in a tree in Cades Cove. Cades Cove Since much of the national park is covered in dense forest, it can sometimes be challenging to spot Smoky Mountain wildlife. 2. One of the most popular reasons visitors go to Cataloochee Valley is to see the elk! With over 150 hike trails, there are so many options when it comes to where to visit. Its open to foot traffic and bike traffic only on hump day. Watch for any modification in an animal's behavior that indicates that you have approached too closely. That means its important to keep safety in mind when wildlife viewing.
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