One animal you will most likely see is the white-tailed deer. At the gateway to the valley, there's a picnic area offering 81 sites between Abrams Creek and Green Branch Creek. This helps with congestion in the park and will help you get a better viewing experience. 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. Early morning (6 10 a.m.) and late afternoon ( 3 7 p.m.) are the best times for bear viewing in Cades Cove. But the scenery was lovely & peaceful, and the view from the Overlook was gorgeous! The loop road is not only a great place to spot bears in the Smoky Moutains, but its also famous for fantastic hiking trails, historical structures, rushing streams and majestic waterfalls! July 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. The hottest temperatures occur from January - March, and the coldest . During the heat of the day or lunchtime traffic tends to slow down. wildlife viewing in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 3 Things to Do if You Encounter Black Bears in the Smoky Mountains, 4 Interesting Facts About Salamanders in the Great Smoky Mountains, Top 3 Safety Tips About Viewing the Smoky Mountain Wildlife, Top 3 Reasons Why You Can See Salamanders in Great Smoky Mountains National Park During the Winter, Top 6 Historical Places in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, How to See Your Favorite Smoky Mountain Wildlife in the National Park, Top 10 Things to Know About the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Before You Go. 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. 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. Cades Cove Sightseeing Bus Tour from Pigeon Forge 35 Bus Tours from C$103.71 per adult Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Audio Driving Tour 2 Full-day Tours from C$17.96 per group (up to 8) Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cades Cove Self-Driving Bundle Tours 12 Adventure Tours from C$23.49 per group (up to 4) We saw 7 bears this year in November. 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. 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. 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!! Read more about this place before you venture there to be prepared. The Cove was full of roaming bears spotted as you drive th. If a bear just leisurely approaches you at your campsite or while you are out hiking, you should scare it off with loud noises like Get out of here bear! Something like that. WildlifeInformer.com is your #1 source for free information about all types of wildlife and exotic pets. Therefore, take a look at our tips for safe wildlife viewing in Great Smoky Mountains National Park to have a safe and enjoyable visit to the park! 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. Yes, the black bear is a symbol of the Smokies. The chances of seeing a bear in Gatlinburg are actually quite good! While you may not like traffic, fall is one of the best times to visit Cade Cove! We werent. The Cades Cove Visitor Center, however, has different hours that vary depending on the month. is like throughout the year so you can be prepared for your visit! We were really glad to have seen bears, as this was our main reason for going to Cades Cove in the first place. - See 5,518 traveler reviews, 6,311 candid photos, and great deals for Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN, at Tripadvisor. If youre looking for a great place to see bears in the Smoky Mountains, we recommend checking out Cades Cove or one of the other areas of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. If a bear stops what it is doing and watches you, you are too close. Always an enjoyable drive. So anytime other than winter is good. Bring binoculars! For us its been far more exciting to see bears in the wild, although there is always some risk associated with this. One thing to know is why this area is called a cove. 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. Learn more. Cades Cove Tennessee is a top spot for viewing wildlife because of its wide-open space. You are zoomed out too far to see location pins. Home Blog Smoky Mountain Wildlife Top 4 Places to See Bears in the Smoky Mountains. And seeing it all is rather inexpensive, as it costs just $5 for a daily parking tag at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 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. 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! Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. The visitor center is open daily, expect on Christmas Day. One things for sure: whether you see a black bear or not, the experience of exploring Cades Cove alone is well worth the trip. Cades Cove. Representations of the beautiful black bear can be found everywhere. Whales: In the summer you can see lots of different whale species, including humpbacks, orcas and beluga. #GreatSmokyMountains #Bear, 3. Music was blasting--wasn't exactly a serene drive. Ever feed a family dog from the table or give him food off your plate? The Smokies are a wonderful place to see the American black bear because the park is one of the largest protected habitats where these wonderful creatures can live in the wild. The loop is, like life, whatever you make of it. Remember, many Black bears live in the area, so be mindful. 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. . They are wild animals and can be unpredictable. November 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. 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 read more about the Three Bears General Store here. Where is the best place to see bears in the Smokies? Top 4 Things to Know About the Great Smoky Mountains Parking Pass, 4 Interesting Facts About The Cades Cove Loop, 3 Interesting Facts About Hyatt Lane in Cades Cove, Your Guide to Abrams Creek Fishing in Cades Cove, 3 Tips for Planning Your Spring Stay at The Cades Cove Campground, Top 4 Things You Need to Know About the Cades Cove Bike Rentals. Wildlife Informer is reader-supported. Please zoom back in. Here, visitors find some of the best opportunities for wildlife viewing in the park. 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. This California National Park With Towering Redwoods Also Has Some of the Most Beautiful Wildflowers in the U.S. If youve never seen an elk in person youll be amazed at how large these majestic creatures are. January 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. 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. Pro tip: make sure you begin your expedition on a full tank of gas since there are no gas stations in the area. Visit the Cades Cove Visitor Center! Promptly dispose of garbage in the bear-proof trash cans; if you see a bear, do not approach it. One of the main reasons Cades Cove is such a wonderful area to view bears is because there are more areas that are out in the open. 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. Stay at least 150 feet away. Should you find yourself asking this question, chances are youre looking at a coyote with round eyes, pointy ears, bushy tail, and all! Thank you so much! You should stand your ground and wave your arms in the air and make noises to deter the bear. Sunrise is the best time to photograph in Cades Cove. 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. 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. Plus, you might want to know when the best time to see wildlife is so you know when to visit. 1. Keep your distance from cubs, as the mama bear will be close by and may see you as a threat to her young. Good luck and be safe! The peak season in Buenos Aires takes place in summer from October to March, as well as the winter month of July. Perhaps, the reason is that this is a valley area, where rain collects, and vegetation grows strong, encouraging many critters to move in including black bears. DONT DO THIS. 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. Mountains Oh my..Cades Cove, mountains, beautiful scenery, and a little slice of heaven. Lets just say this was a BUST for my family. Do not use a camera flash or make loud noises. Ranked #25 of 105 Attractions in Great Smoky Mountains National Park lablvr201. No matter which way you decide to see them, it's important to remember that respecting the blooms while visiting is essential. The Loop is a one-way (one-lane) paved road. How Many Bears Live in the Smoky Mountains? Feeding the black bears in Cades Cove can be tragic, for both bear and human. On our first trip back to Cades Cove since it reopened we saw many black bears, deer, and turkeys. Cades Cove is one of the most beloved and popular destinations in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. If you are looking to spot black bears, the best times are late afternoons. 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. The scenery was beautiful, and we were lucky enough to be able to spot two different mama bears with their three cubs apiece! This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Late April to October is peak visiting time for the area. Each spring, those fields are consumed by wildflowers stretching on for as far as the eye can see, save for the odd sighting of a white-tailed deer and even a rambling black bear making their way through. Even horseback riding through Cades Cove Riding Stables is an option to soak in the wild side of the Smoky Mountains. Provided that you escape the encounter, immediately report it to a park ranger or the Wildlife Resources Office. Though not widely known, black bears are actually pretty decent swimmers, so dont be afraid to check out the nearby waters from a distance. It is illegal and irresponsible to feed the bears. The loop is an 11-mile paved one-way road that has breathtaking views of the mountains, wildflower meadows, and the park's diverse wildlife. Cades Cove is one of my all time favorite places to visit. The drive also includes scenic overlooks, hiking trails, picnic areas and even a waterfall that can be seen from the road! 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! 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. Grizzly bears can be found in a select few states in the US. Short and Sweet: the best time to visit Montreal is early summer and early fall. Mating usually takes place in July. 3. Location: 1001 Parkway, Suite 2, Gatlinburg, You can read more about Ober Gatlinburgs Wildlife Encounter here. It's one of the most popular spots for bear sightings. You can carry bear spray, but there are rules for using it, so check before carrying it into the park. 2. Multiple Black Bears Sightings Cades Cove, 6. This camp is perfect for those looking for the ultimate glamping experience, and over the summer months, is a place where you not only can you find plenty of wildflowers but thousands of glittering lightning bugs at night, too. We arrived about 9:30am, and it was fairly busy. The 11-mile loop road circumnavigates the large meadow giving your family incredible views of the creatures inhabiting the area. There is an 11-mile scenic route that has become a main attraction; its a great way to experience the Smokies, and the drive has earned a great reputation as a hub for black bears. This is large part due to the cut back of nuisance bears, the ones people condition to approach humans for food. While you may not like traffic, fall is one of the best times to visit Cade Cove! A fed bear is a dead bear, because they will become reliant on humans for food and will eventually be killed. Adorable Cades Cove bear cubs cross the road with mama bear. November, January, February, and March are the slowest months of the year, with the exception of December picking back up. Best. Look for bears in route to Cades Cove as well. They have lots & lots of shirts, hoodies, hats, plush bears, and all kinds of gift items (mugs, keychains, magnets, snow globes, etc.). Use your best judgment, give them plenty of space, and dont approach them. 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. Back away slowly, give them their space, and never approach them for both your and their safety. In addition to bears, Cades Cove is a great place to see wild turkey, deer, raccoons, and groundhogs. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Cades Code Loop. Daily Hours Cades Cove is open year round and daily, weather permitting. 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. A bear sighting at the GSMNP makes for a great memory that wont soon be forgotten. 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. They are open from 9 am to 5 pm in January, February, March, April, May, and June. August 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. An approximately 11-mile one-way loop road surrounds the valley. 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. We did it and found the entire route was one massive traffic jam--you felt like you were speeding if you got up to 5MPH. Otherwise, the road is open to motor vehicles from sunrise to sunset daily. BUTthe real secret of bettering your chances of spotting black bears at Cades Cove lies within youwithin all of us. If you travel to Gatlinburg expecting to see black bears everywhere you go, you may be disappointed. The Cades Cove Loop Road is a 11 mile long loop road that circles the cove and provides access to the attractions in Cades Cove. Ober Gatlinburg is an amusement park and ski resort in Gatlinburg, and they have a wildlife encounter where you can see black bears, river otters, birds of prey, and more. The selection of souvenirs was massive, though. Want to get listed and grow your business? Its in a quieter and more remote part of the park, so bears like to forage in this area. Why? Harboring a wide variety of flora and fauna, the Smokies is the perfect habitat for the omnivorous (having the ability to eat both animal and plant life) black bear. October 9 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. When you click and buy we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Black-eyed Susans are the main draw for travelers making their way to Cades Cove every year, each hoping to see that blanket of golden blooms. 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. In general, anywhere in the park is a good place to see bears. If you want to be sure to see a black bear, this is one of the places to go. It really is a matter of luck. Its one of the most popular spots for bear sightings. White-tailed deer are frequently seen, and black bear, coyote, ground hog, turkey, raccoon, skunk, and other animal sightings also are possible. Maybe next time! While traffic along the loop may be heavy, the slower pace will keep your photos picturesque and your memories strong. Here are the top 4 places to see bears in the Smoky Mountains: 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. I avoid the summer months and October because of the crowds. Give bears plenty of room to escape. This is a myth, it didnt work out too well for Leo DiCaprio either. He was obviously begging for food, someone must have been dropping him snacks. 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. 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. Its worth it when you do see one. One of our favorite spots in Cades Cove is the Pearl Harbor Tree. On an average, we saw one per drive. However, some bears are active at night to possibly avoid people or other bears. Black Bear spotted in Cades Cove! In fact, its name comes from the Cherokee leader, Chief Kade. April 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. June 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Two years ago we saw no bears in Cades Cove. Absolutely not. I travel in early May. A self-guided tour booklet is offered at the road's entrance for travelers seeking a little assistance. Grizzly Bears: June to October is the best time to see grizzly bears throughout British Columbia. 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. The best time to visit Buenos Aires is in the spring (September to November) or during the fall (March to May). If a bear makes a move towards you or makes loud noises or swats the ground, it is demanding more space. Both female and male bears may have more than one mate during the summer. This is a really neat place to go and you can get tickets to their multiple attractions or just the wildlife encounter. Here are 6 secret spots in Cades Cove you have to explore. We will be visiting Cades Cove the first week of January 2018. Major attractions include the Tennessee Aquarium, Chattanooga Zoo, Lookout . Important note: Cades Cove does not allow vehicles to enter the road on Wednesdays, so travelers can experience the area on foot or with a bike. 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! Cades Cove Just use common sense and be respectful when viewing these beautiful animals! Every time we looked off of our balcony there he was. Especially a mother with cubs. 1. 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! I highly recommend this visit to travelers. Traffic! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Shop Merch Store https://www.thequestcabin.comSupport us on Patreon with 3 Membership Tiers that help support the Quest Capsule Channel.