Cades Cove black bear information requested.

[Jamie Baker]

Could any of you kind folks give me, and everyone else reading this post, the intel on finding and seeing black bears in Cades Cove, Smokey Mountain National Park? Specific trails or areas where they are frequently seen. I'm looking at making a quick trip in the next month. Thank you in advance.

 

[Wes Peterson]

When you get there ask the rangers, they are usually more than happy to tell you where they are showing up at the time. They kinda move around so where they were for one person might not be where they are for another.

 

[Jamie Baker]

When you get there ask the rangers, they are usually more than happy to tell you where they are showing up at the time. They kinda move around so where they were for one person might not be where they are for another.

Good advice, thank you!

 

[Terry]

From a friend that visits yearly (I hope to soon) look up. Apparently the bears like to chill in the trees and often people don't see them. Have a great trip!

 

[jeffnles1]

we were there last week and saw 5 (3 in Cades Cove). No great photo ops though. A couple crossed the roads in front of us. Of the 3 in Cades Cove 2 crossed the road right in front of us but were moving fast into the tall grass to the left side of the road and one was back in the woods about the halfway point on the loop. Unfortunately, it was quite the circus. People were pulled off blocking the road, ranger was trying to get people moving along and they kept trying to get closer to the bear with their cell phones. From where we first hit the traffic to where people were crowding the ranger and the bear was about 1/4 mile and it took us about 20 minutes to actually move that far. By the time the rangers finally got people out of the middle of the road and we started moving the bear was still there. Honestly, we didn't stop or slow down just idled on by. It was not in a great photo spot and neither Leslie nor I wanted to add tot he circus of confusion. People were pulled off almost a quarter mile past the traffic jam walking back up the hill toward where the bear was. Honestly, it was kind of an amazingly sad mess.

I have nothing against cell phones, today's phones can produce some incredible photos but not the right equipment to capture bear. Also, I fully understand the excitement of seeing a bear and why people want to stop their cars and get a photo. I have no problem with that. I can even understand the "opening day" festive atmosphere surrounding the sighting. I will; however, never understand the way some of those idiots were behaving. Crazy.

 

[EricBowles]

There are several times and locations, but most of it is simply riding around and looking for bears or bear jams.

The general approach is to arrive early and before sunrise be in line to enter the park. As you approach peak color for leaves, that may mean arriving 60-90 minutes before sunrise. the best activity is early morning. Follow the loop road for several circuits depending on traffic.

In the late summer the bears are feeding in the wild cherry trees. The trees are in a number of areas and the bears climb high into the trees. There are wild cherry trees on the north nearest) side of Sparks Lane, the left side of the loop road about 400 yards past Sparks Lane near parking for the John Oliver Cabin, along Hyatt Lane, and on the loop road near the Elijah Oliver Cabin.

The other good locations are in or around nut trees in the fall. Black walnuts are a favorite food and are plentiful. You may also find bears high in oak trees eating acorns.

If you spot a bear jam, immediately pull over to the side of the road and park. Then walk ahead until you see the bears. Give the bears plenty of space - at least 50 yards. You can usually make a guess as to which direction the bears are trying to move and then move ahead so the bears will come to you. This works especially well when the bears are walking the opposite direction as traffic on the one-way loop road.

Always maintain a safe distance and allow the bears plenty of room to cross the road or move where they want. Bears are usually harmless in Cades Cove, but they can become agitated if they are struggling to cross a road or if they get separated from cubs.

Sometimes bears are seen on Rich Mountain Road as you leave Cades Cove. The road is a winding dirt road that exits the park. It's one way so once you start, you are committed to a 45 minute drive that exits west of Townsend. At peak color, it can be a faster exit than the massive traffic jams in the park.

Overcast days or diffused light is better for photographing bears. High contrast, sunny days make it hard to get a good photo. What this means is finding bears is a bit of a matter of luck and timing, so make sure you have other subjects planned.

 

[jeffnles1]

There are several times and locations, but most of it is simply riding around and looking for bears or bear jams.

The general approach is to arrive early and before sunrise be in line to enter the park. As you approach peak color for leaves, that may mean arriving 60-90 minutes before sunrise. the best activity is early morning. Follow the loop road for several circuits depending on traffic.

In the late summer the bears are feeding in the wild cherry trees. The trees are in a number of areas and the bears climb high into the trees. There are wild cherry trees on the north nearest) side of Sparks Lane, the left side of the loop road about 400 yards past Sparks Lane near parking for the John Oliver Cabin, along Hyatt Lane, and on the loop road near the Elijah Oliver Cabin.

The other good locations are in or around nut trees in the fall. Black walnuts are a favorite food and are plentiful. You may also find bears high in oak trees eating acorns.

If you spot a bear jam, immediately pull over to the side of the road and park. Then walk ahead until you see the bears. Give the bears plenty of space - at least 50 yards. You can usually make a guess as to which direction the bears are trying to move and then move ahead so the bears will come to you. This works especially well when the bears are walking the opposite direction as traffic on the one-way loop road.

Always maintain a safe distance and allow the bears plenty of room to cross the road or move where they want. Bears are usually harmless in Cades Cove, but they can become agitated if they are struggling to cross a road or if they get separated from cubs.

Sometimes bears are seen on Rich Mountain Road as you leave Cades Cove. The road is a winding dirt road that exits the park. It's one way so once you start, you are committed to a 45 minute drive that exits west of Townsend. At peak color, it can be a faster exit than the massive traffic jams in the park.

Overcast days or diffused light is better for photographing bears. High contrast, sunny days make it hard to get a good photo. What this means is finding bears is a bit of a matter of luck and timing, so make sure you have other subjects planned.

nice write up.
One thing that was really obvious was the lack of deer in Cades Cove. The last time I was there (about 20 years ago) we easily saw over 100 every time through the 11 mile loop road. Last week, we saw 4. One nice 8 point buck and 3 does that were around him. This was over close to the campground exit side where the horse path comes alongside the road. Other than these, zero deer. We were there in the early morning one day (Wednesday walking only day) and on a Tuesday evening at dusk (was dark by the time we got through).

Not sure. I was wondering if CWD or EHD was affecting the deer there like it is here in Kentucky and Ohio?

Jeff

 

[Gene_Hughes]

We saw at least 100 white tail at Cades in the late spring, along with dozens of black bear. Rangers and long time volunteers said it was a banner year for bear.

 

[Jamie Baker]

we were there last week and saw 5 (3 in Cades Cove). No great photo ops though. A couple crossed the roads in front of us. Of the 3 in Cades Cove 2 crossed the road right in front of us but were moving fast into the tall grass to the left side of the road and one was back in the woods about the halfway point on the loop. Unfortunately, it was quite the circus. People were pulled off blocking the road, ranger was trying to get people moving along and they kept trying to get closer to the bear with their cell phones. From where we first hit the traffic to where people were crowding the ranger and the bear was about 1/4 mile and it took us about 20 minutes to actually move that far. By the time the rangers finally got people out of the middle of the road and we started moving the bear was still there. Honestly, we didn't stop or slow down just idled on by. It was not in a great photo spot and neither Leslie nor I wanted to add tot he circus of confusion. People were pulled off almost a quarter mile past the traffic jam walking back up the hill toward where the bear was. Honestly, it was kind of an amazingly sad mess.

I have nothing against cell phones, today's phones can produce some incredible photos but not the right equipment to capture bear. Also, I fully understand the excitement of seeing a bear and why people want to stop their cars and get a photo. I have no problem with that. I can even understand the "opening day" festive atmosphere surrounding the sighting. I will; however, never understand the way some of those idiots were behaving. Crazy.

That’s kind of what I was afraid of. Good information and I appreciate you sharing it. I see you are from Kentucky, as I am. I‘d really love to see a bear in our state!

 

[Jamie Baker]

From a friend that visits yearly (I hope to soon) look up. Apparently the bears like to chill in the trees and often people don't see them. Have a great trip!

Thank you. I may just get out and hike and hope to stumble upon some.

 

[jeffnles1]

That’s kind of what I was afraid of. Good information and I appreciate you sharing it. I see you are from Kentucky, as I am. I‘d really love to see a bear in our state!

I'd like to see a bear around here too. I'm in Northern Kentucky and someone hit one with their car a few years back. I don't know anyone who has actually seen one. The bear that got hit may have been an escaped or released "pet".

Jeff

 

[Jamie Baker]

There are several times and locations, but most of it is simply riding around and looking for bears or bear jams.

The general approach is to arrive early and before sunrise be in line to enter the park. As you approach peak color for leaves, that may mean arriving 60-90 minutes before sunrise. the best activity is early morning. Follow the loop road for several circuits depending on traffic.

In the late summer the bears are feeding in the wild cherry trees. The trees are in a number of areas and the bears climb high into the trees. There are wild cherry trees on the north nearest) side of Sparks Lane, the left side of the loop road about 400 yards past Sparks Lane near parking for the John Oliver Cabin, along Hyatt Lane, and on the loop road near the Elijah Oliver Cabin.

The other good locations are in or around nut trees in the fall. Black walnuts are a favorite food and are plentiful. You may also find bears high in oak trees eating acorns.

If you spot a bear jam, immediately pull over to the side of the road and park. Then walk ahead until you see the bears. Give the bears plenty of space - at least 50 yards. You can usually make a guess as to which direction the bears are trying to move and then move ahead so the bears will come to you. This works especially well when the bears are walking the opposite direction as traffic on the one-way loop road.

Always maintain a safe distance and allow the bears plenty of room to cross the road or move where they want. Bears are usually harmless in Cades Cove, but they can become agitated if they are struggling to cross a road or if they get separated from cubs.

Sometimes bears are seen on Rich Mountain Road as you leave Cades Cove. The road is a winding dirt road that exits the park. It's one way so once you start, you are committed to a 45 minute drive that exits west of Townsend. At peak color, it can be a faster exit than the massive traffic jams in the park.

Overcast days or diffused light is better for photographing bears. High contrast, sunny days make it hard to get a good photo. What this means is finding bears is a bit of a matter of luck and timing, so make sure you have other subjects planned.

Wow, this is a lot of detailed and specific information! Thank you so much, I appreciate it! As for other subjects, I’m mostly a bird photographer so they are always present.

 

[EricBigNally]

The most success I’ve had with black bears in Cades Cove has always come several hours after sunrise (the exact opposite of what I would generally expect and what everyone else seems to have the most success with). Every time I have gotten there early I never saw one. Make another pass around the loop at say 10AM and I almost always see them… As someone else pointed out, if there’s a long, slow line pull over and walk it (carefully) and keep your distance. Hopefully, it’s a bear but sometimes it’s deer or something random.

Such a small world as I just registered here to ask my own question and saw your post first. We’ll be down there the last weekend of October since that’s my first weekend off since mid August (yay wedding season).

 

[Jamie Baker]

The most success I’ve had with black bears in Cades Cove has always come several hours after sunrise (the exact opposite of what I would generally expect and what everyone else seems to have the most success with). Every time I have gotten there early I never saw one. Make another pass around the loop at say 10AM and I almost always see them… As someone else pointed out, if there’s a long, slow line pull over and walk it (carefully) and keep your distance. Hopefully, it’s a bear but sometimes it’s deer or something random.

Such a small world as I just registered here to ask my own question and saw your post first. We’ll be down there the last weekend of October since that’s my first weekend off since mid August (yay wedding season).

Eric! Thanks for the advice. I look forward to seeing you at the next KY mega rarity bird.

 

[nikonkelly]

ok, so a bear can be anywhere in the park, but over the years I have found that sparks lane (north half) Hyatt Lane (entirety) and the wood lots between the abrams falls trail and the cades cove visitors center are very good, also when leaving cades cove visitors center up to the curves especially on the right hand side of the road and also at any creek bed that crosses the main paved road, and finally just past sparks lane all the way to the campground are all excellent places. yes, the bear are usually up a tree... about 51% of the time just keep your eyes open. I have seen bear on every trip I make to cades cove. my best was 37 bear in 4 days... my worst 1 bear in 1 day. there are no guarantees, but these are the places that I would be looking at if I were there. I hope that this helps.

 

[Jamie Baker]

ok, so a bear can be anywhere in the park, but over the years I have found that sparks lane (north half) Hyatt Lane (entirety) and the wood lots between the abrams falls trail and the cades cove visitors center are very good, also when leaving cades cove visitors center up to the curves especially on the right hand side of the road and also at any creek bed that crosses the main paved road, and finally just past sparks lane all the way to the campground are all excellent places. yes, the bear are usually up a tree... about 51% of the time just keep your eyes open. I have seen bear on every trip I make to cades cove. my best was 37 bear in 4 days... my worst 1 bear in 1 day. there are no guarantees, but these are the places that I would be looking at if I were there. I hope that this helps.

Thank you so much for such specific advise, I appreciate it! I hope to get down there soon. I’d honestly love to just see them, let alone photograph them.

 

[nikonkelly]

Jamie, I too really love to just see them. I have on more than one occasion had bear and many other animals walk within arms reach of me... that is exciting! LOL never approach them, but if they come to you... it is pretty exciting! enjoy!

 

[Don'sPhotoStream]

I’m at The Park now. Tried two days of driving the Cades Cove Loop. Saw one Bear’s butt as it disappeared into the trees, and the left ear of a Bear that was behind a tree. Saw one nice Buck while hiking to a cabin. That was it. Saw absolutely no animals in the grassy areas of the Cove. A bit disappointed. Did see, however, hundreds, if not thousands of vehicles snaking along the Cades Cove Loop road. Oh, there are a few Wild Turkeys along the loop road. Will try again tomorrow, October 4th. Who knows, I may get lucky

 

[Jamie Baker]

I’m at The Park now. Tried two days of driving the Cades Cove Loop. Saw one Bear’s butt as it disappeared into the trees, and the left ear of a Bear that was behind a tree. Saw one nice Buck while hiking to a cabin. That was it. Saw absolutely no animals in the grassy areas of the Cove. A bit disappointed. Did see, however, hundreds, if not thousands of vehicles snaking along the Cades Cove Loop road. Oh, there are a few Wild Turkeys along the loop road. Will try again tomorrow, October 4th. Who knows, I may get lucky

I hope you have better luck tomorrow!

 

[Lakeman]

nice write up.
One thing that was really obvious was the lack of deer in Cades Cove. The last time I was there (about 20 years ago) we easily saw over 100 every time through the 11 mile loop road. Last week, we saw 4. One nice 8 point buck and 3 does that were around him. This was over close to the campground exit side where the horse path comes alongside the road. Other than these, zero deer. We were there in the early morning one day (Wednesday walking only day) and on a Tuesday evening at dusk (was dark by the time we got through).

Not sure. I was wondering if CWD or EHD was affecting the deer there like it is here in Kentucky and Ohio?

Jeff

I wonder if it might be the record number of visiters to the smokies over the past few years. I know if you catch Cades Cove at the wrong time it can take a couple hours to get through, crazy, people stopped everywhere.
I know the deer are plentiful around my place here in south KY. We get visits all day, and the black bear sightings are picking up also. A friends son heard something in the garage the other morning opened the door and it was a small black bear in a bag of dog food, needless to say the garage door stays shut now haha. I hope to see ELK in the area in the next few years, I'm about 20 miles from Danial Boone National Forest and the Big South Fork National Forest where I'm hearing rumors of sightings.
This one stops by at least once a day,.

https://flic.kr/p/2nQPazW

 

[Gene_Hughes]

All from Cades Cove in late spring, early summer this year.

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[EricBowles]

nice write up.
One thing that was really obvious was the lack of deer in Cades Cove. The last time I was there (about 20 years ago) we easily saw over 100 every time through the 11 mile loop road. Last week, we saw 4. One nice 8 point buck and 3 does that were around him. This was over close to the campground exit side where the horse path comes alongside the road. Other than these, zero deer. We were there in the early morning one day (Wednesday walking only day) and on a Tuesday evening at dusk (was dark by the time we got through).

Not sure. I was wondering if CWD or EHD was affecting the deer there like it is here in Kentucky and Ohio?

Jeff

I've heard it is Chronic Wasting Disease. There is no word from the park service, but as you point out, there is a 90% decline in deer populations.

 

[jeffnles1]

I wonder if it might be the record number of visiters to the smokies over the past few years. I know if you catch Cades Cove at the wrong time it can take a couple hours to get through, crazy, people stopped everywhere.
I know the deer are plentiful around my place here in south KY. We get visits all day, and the black bear sightings are picking up also. A friends son heard something in the garage the other morning opened the door and it was a small black bear in a bag of dog food, needless to say the garage door stays shut now haha. I hope to see ELK in the area in the next few years, I'm about 20 miles from Danial Boone National Forest and the Big South Fork National Forest where I'm hearing rumors of sightings.
This one stops by at least once a day,.

https://flic.kr/p/2nQPazW

At one local park close to me, one of the employees found 25 dead dear in 2 days this summer. A week later, he found another 12. this is in a park area that is only a little over 1,100 acres in size. It will take several years to recover from this. This is in S.W, Ohio not far from Cincinnati

 

[jeffnles1]

I've heard it is Chronic Wasting Disease. There is no word from the park service, but as you point out, there is a 90% decline in deer populations.

CWD and/or EHD. Similar fatality rates. We've had an outbreak of the midge bite born EHD here in my region SW Ohio, Northern Kentucky, SE Indiana. In one park area that covers only 1,100 acres employees found 37 dead dear in a 2 week period. I haven't heard if any more have been found in the past couple weeks. I would imagine so. Multiply that across the region and it is devastating for the deer herd. It will take several years to build the herd back up. One possible cause of the high numbers is we have been at or above carrying capacity per square mile for several years. Dense populations, an insect bite born illness with near 100% mortality is not a good formula.

 

[Lakeman]

Looking at the CWD map from the CDC ( https://www.cdc.gov/prions/cwd/occurrence.html ) they are not showing any cases in the smokies area. I did read some articles from the late 80s and 90s from the University of Tennessee about a natural vegatation issue in the Cove where there was some discussion about removing deer and stopping cattle grazing to help with reviving natural vegatation. Not sure if any of the discussions actually resulted in anything though. Reading the NPS page on Cades Cove they talk about "Large numbers of white-tailed deer are frequently seen, and sightings of black bear, coyote, ground hog, turkey, raccoon, skunk, and other animals are also possible." https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/cadescove.htm. Early morning and evening are your best times for all these animals.