Cades Cove is known by many to be the best place in the Smokies to view wildlife. Slowly back away with your eyes still on the bear. Explore the historic buildings! Use your best judgment, give them plenty of space, and dont approach them. 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! Use a telefoto lens, binoculars, or a spotting scope to view bears. 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!! 35 Top Things to Do in Tennessee - US News & World Report Because you dont want to get too close to the bears, binoculars are a great way to get that close look that you will inevitably desire. A CADES COVE State of Mind - SECRET To Seeing Bears and - YouTube While we cant guarantee that you will see a bear on your trip, we can say that your chances are pretty good if you go to the right place and time of day (especially early morning or late evening in the spring and summer months). If you see a bear on the trail, back away slowly and give the bear plenty of room to move off the trail. However, this also means humans are less likely to see black bears. 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. Should you find yourself asking this question, chances are youre looking at a coyote with round eyes, pointy ears, bushy tail, and all! We'll share some secrets of how to better your chances of enjoying your entire day spent out in the wilderness searching for bears and other wildlife. 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. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Black bears tend to be out foraging around these times, and an added perk is that the morning and/or evening light is divine. You can expect less traffic and to see more wildlife like deer and bears. In addition to bears, Cades Cove is a great place to see wild turkey, deer, raccoons, and groundhogs. The narrow, winding road of Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail encourages motorists to travel at a leisurely pace and sometimes yields sightings of bear and other wildlife. We were there last weekend (November 16-19) and we saw 5 bears during our drive through Cades Cove. It's nestled in its own 82 acres of lush, wooded terrain. Cades Code Loop. Every year, thousands of vacationers see black bears in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, mostly on the Tennessee side. The popular Cades Cove is one of the best places to see black bears in the wild. 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. However, we think your best chance is in Cades Cove or the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, a wonderful scenic drive that is well-known for amazing wildlife viewing. Common throughout the area, your best chance of seeing these guys is in the open fields. They have lots & lots of shirts, hoodies, hats, plush bears, and all kinds of gift items (mugs, keychains, magnets, snow globes, etc.). 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! The first set was just before the Overlook, up in the woods, and the second set was in a field after turning on the road towards Abram's Falls. This Little-known Valley in California Has Stunning Springtime Wildflowers and a Chic, Revamped Motel. 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. Most of the time bears will flee when they encounter humans, however in the national park these bears are protected and are probably pretty bold. There are many places because they are literally all over the place. 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. You can read more about the Three Bears General Store here. Cades Cove is an 11-mile loop road in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that is home to lots of wildlife. We will be visiting Cades Cove the first week of January 2018. 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. 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. 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. Late spring and early fall are particularly good times to visit if you're looking for bears. Late spring and early fall are particularly good times to visit if you're looking for bears. #GreatSmokyMountains #Bear, 3. 1. Cades Cove Guide: What To Do And See - Discover the Great Smokies It has some of the best hiking, fishing and wildlife viewing you'll find in the U.S. We're sharing the inside scoop with you so you can plan your next trip to the Smokies. We met folks that absolutely love the Cades Loop and do it every year. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. 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. While keeping a watchful eye out for black bears at Cades Cove, other wildlife will surely find you along the way. Most of the National Park is wooded, but Cades Cove is in a valley and has open spaces, where bears cant hide as easily. While getting up early may not be your cup of tea, the wee morning hours are when black bears come out for breakfast. Here, visitors find some of the best opportunities for wildlife viewing in the park. more. A self-guided tour booklet is offered at the road's entrance for travelers seeking a little assistance. The best time to see black bears is in the summer monthsspecifically May- Early September in a typical year. When is the best time of year to see wildlife - Cades Cove At the gateway to the valley, there's a picnic area offering 81 sites between Abrams Creek and Green Branch Creek. Back away slowly, give them their space, and never approach them for both your and their safety. No matter which way you decide to see them, it's important to remember that respecting the blooms while visiting is essential. This East Coast National Park Has Some of the Best Wildflower Fields in the U.S. With 862 Flower Species and an Extra-long Blooming Season, 23 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in California, The Best Time to Visit Colorado for Good Weather, Affordable Prices, and Fewer Crowds, This Scenic North Carolina Train Is the Best Way to Explore the Great Smoky Mountains, California's Largest State Park Has the Best Wildflower Super Blooms in the State, This Southern California Luxury Resort Has a Private Wildflower Bloom and Only Hotel Guests Can See It, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Just Increased Its Parking Prices What to Know for Your Next Trip, 10 Best National Parks to Drive Through for a Scenic Road Trip, This State Is Called the 'Great Trails State' Thanks to These Waterfall Treks, National Park Hikes, and a 700-mile Route From Mountains to Sea. The scenery was beautiful, and we were lucky enough to be able to spot two different mama bears with their three cubs apiece! Best Time to See Bears in the Smoky Mountains - Wildlife Informer The best opportunities for seeing bears are in late spring and early fall in the mornings from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and again in the early evenings from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. There's no guarantee that you'll see bears, but if you do, don't approach them. Bear at Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 4. All around Tennessee towns and parks sell t-shirts and hoodies with black bears on them, mugs with a charismatic bear on it. Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Things to Do, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN 37738-4102, 2 hour traffic jam with beautiful scenery, things to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 17 Things to Do In Cades Cove - Brooke In Boots Maybe next time! 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. Cades Cove Tennessee is a top spot for viewing wildlife because of its wide-open space. Read more about black bears in the National Park here. 2023 Cades Cove Loop Travel Guide | Park Ranger John Offers may be subject to change without notice. According to numerous sources, the best place to see black bears is in Cades Cove, a few miles from Gatlinburg and Townsend, Tennessee. It is said that bears who have had regular access to human food may only live for half of this time. Pearl Harbor Tree. Also, you can find Rainbow Falls here which is a really popular waterfall. Learn more. In January and February, the area can be humid and muggy, so the best months to visit are October, November, and March to May. However, some bears are active at night to possibly avoid people or other bears. The site also provides charcoal grills to smoke some delicious eats. - See 5,518 traveler reviews, 6,311 candid photos, and great deals for Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN, at Tripadvisor. Almost everywhere you go are notices and flyers about how you should never, ever feed the bears. is like throughout the year so you can be prepared for your visit! Just use common sense and be respectful when viewing these beautiful animals! They have a small concession stand inside as well, but the prices are exorbitant ($5.75 for a soft pretzel & cheese! It can really vary based on how available food is but generally black bears will go into hibernation sometime around September October and remain dormant through April. 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. Mountains. 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. Cades Cove is one of my all time favorite places to visit. Keep in mind that bears hibernate in the dead of winter. We finally got a real answer out of her -- the Overlook and near Abram's Falls -- which was why we made sure to go to both of those places.Be sure to stop by the gift shop on the way out. The black bear is kind of like the mascot for the Smokies, you see black bears on everything you can buy or rent. They have an amazing 5000 square foot habitat with a pond and waterfall, and each bear has an individual den. He was obviously begging for food, someone must have been dropping him snacks. But follow some of the tips below and youll greatly increase your chances. 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. Be ready for it to take an entire day! Daily Hours Cades Cove is open year round and daily, weather permitting. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Every time we looked off of our balcony there he was. 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. You can also visit Ober Gatlinburgs Wildlife Encounter, where youll have a guaranteed sighting, or Three Bears General Store in Pigeon Forge. First and foremost the consensus is to stay calm. Cades Cove One of our favorite spots in Cades Cove is the Pearl Harbor Tree. 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. 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. There have been reports of bears weight upwards of 600 lbs. 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! Early morning (6 - 10 a.m.) and late afternoon ( 3 - 7 p.m.) are the best times for bear viewing in Cades Cove. Do not give up and let the bear think you are food. As simple as this may be, it is probably the #1 tip as far as bear watching goes, so take your time, relax, breathe, and enjoy the journey. On an average, we saw one per drive. Since Cades Cove features a stunning mountain backdrop and wide open valleys, many bears enjoy this beautiful space in the park. Cades Cove: Wildlife Safari in the Great Smoky Mountains Bear sightings are most common in early morning and late evening when the bears are most active, so if you are wanting to catch a glimpse of a wild bear, the best times are as follows: Late afternoon about 2 hours before sunset. There are many old cabins and historical type sites you can see. 2. Want to get listed and grow your business? Yes, the black bear is a symbol of the Smokies.
