Black Bears in the Smoky Mountains: Where to See Them & How to Stay Safe
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to approximately 1,900 black bears — about two per square mile — one of the densest populations in the eastern United States. The odds of seeing one during a multi-day visit are genuinely high, and knowing where to look, when to go, and what to do when you find one makes all the difference between a memorable wildlife moment and a stressful one. Here's the complete guide to black bears in the Smokies.