Like Cades Cove, this area of the park is more open so bears can be more easily seen. Learn more. Cades Cove: Wildlife Safari in the Great Smoky Mountains The black bears in Cades Cove are a majestic sight, indeed; however, there are a few things to be aware of when seeking out this experience. The tree serves as a reminder of what happened in 1941 and to honor those who died. They are open from 9 am to 5 pm in January, February, March, April, May, and June. 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. There is only one species of bear in Tennessee and that is the black bear. Go in the morning (6 a.m. to 10 a.m.) or late afternoon (3 7 p.m.). Top 4 Places to See Bears in the Smoky Mountains Black bears can live anywhere from 12-15 years. This could result in a person being injured and the bear being euthanized. But even Cades Cove has times throughout the year that it becomes very busy. 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. 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. Each tent offers luxe, souped-up king-size beds with plush linens and even ensuite bathrooms with hot showers. It is said that bears who have had regular access to human food may only live for half of this time. Loved the drive to cades cove. Good luck! Approximately 1,500 black bears live in the park; this is the largest population ever recorded in the Smokies. Major attractions include the Tennessee Aquarium, Chattanooga Zoo, Lookout . So pack accordingly. We will be visiting Cades Cove the first week of January 2018. When you do finally spot a black bear, keep your distance if you want to watch for a while. If you are on a wild bear chase around the loop, be patient. Pro tip: make sure you begin your expedition on a full tank of gas since there are no gas stations in the area. In the late afternoon. Spring has officially sprung in the Great Smoky Mountains. 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. In the middle of the day. Bring binoculars! 425 4346 Santiago Islands, Shariside, AK 38830-1874, Hobby: Baseball, Wood carving, Candle making, Jigsaw puzzles, Lacemaking, Parkour, Drawing. We arrived, yet again, this time in the early afternoon with hopes of spotting some black bears, wildlife and the refreshing mountain scenery that stands out so vividly all throughout the 11-mile looped journey.Explore the cove with us as we give you an inside look at our day and time spent at Cades Cove. I prefer this time of year as the crowds are lower, the river and falls are full from the spring rains and have seen as many as 10 bears at the cove. 6 Reasons You Should Visit Cades Cove - Smoky Mountain Travel Guide Cades Cove is known by many to be the best place in the Smokies to view wildlife. 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. If Cades Cove is known for anything, its known for the 11-mile loop road that surrounds the area feel free to traverse by bicycle, foot, or car. A bear sighting at the GSMNP makes for a great memory that wont soon be forgotten. You may also encounter turkey, foxes, ground hogs, racoons, river otters, owls, salamanders, a variety of small birds, and more! In front of us were 3 pick up trucks with 12 kids in the back with the tailgates down. Re: Best time to visit Cade's Cove? Best time to visit Cade's Cove? - Great Smoky Mountains National Park Most people find fall (March to May) and spring (September to November) are the most pleasant times to visit Buenos Aires. They have a family of black bears that includes Minnie, BJ, Holly and Chief, and they are part of this zoo encounter in all but the winter months, when they hibernate. Lets just say this was a BUST for my family. We met folks that absolutely love the Cades Loop and do it every year. Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. Cades Cove: Best place to see black bears! Adorable Cades Cove bear cubs cross the road with mama bear. Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful, Address: Apt. over a year ago Answer 4 answers Reviewed this attraction BonnieLee. If you visit the park there is a very good chance you will encounter one. Corelle recommends using their pre-2005 dishes as decorative pieces due to concerns for high levels of Lead. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. But, equally important as the blooms is Cades Cove's history as Cherokee land. (Video) Bear Spotting At Cades Cove - June 2020, (Video) CADES COVE - Searching For BIG FAT Black Bears at Cades Cove (2022), (Video) A CADES COVE State of Mind - SECRET To Seeing Bears and ENJOYING Every Trip Around The Loop, (Video) Mama Black Bear and Her Cub in Cades Cove - Great Smoky Mountain National Park #shorts, (Video) BLACK BEAR SIGHTING | Cades Cove | Great Smoky Mountains National Park, (Video) Black Bears at Cades Cove, 9 Different Bear Sightings - Quest Capsule Raw Uncut Q-Roll Clips, (Video) Black Bear spotted in Cades Cove! Music was blasting--wasn't exactly a serene drive. Remember, many Black bears live in the area, so be mindful. Chillicothe, Ohio When is the best time of year to see wildlife such as bears in particular at Cades Cove? We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Early morning (6 - 10 a.m.) and late afternoon ( 3 - 7 p.m.) are the best times for bear viewing in Cades Cove. Ive only made this drive a couple of times and havent been in a while but its definitely very neat and if you are a photographer you can get some good pics of nature and your family. Another place to see a bear is Ober Gatlinburg. Cades Cove Loop Scenic Drive Through - 9 Black Bear Encounters However, this adorable black bear everyone was pushing gave people the impression that they were approachable, and people began trying to get up close and feed the bears. With deer, fox, coyote, raccoons and more there's never a shortage of critters to be seen. Bear at Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 4. 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. Keep your distance from cubs, as the mama bear will be close by and may see you as a threat to her young. Another one of the top places to see bears in the Smoky Mountains is along Newfound Gap Road, which is also known as Highway 441. This Little-known Valley in California Has Stunning Springtime Wildflowers and a Chic, Revamped Motel. Use the bathroom and make your kids do so before! There are no grizzlies in the Smokies, or Tennessee at all for that matter. The chances of seeing a bear in Gatlinburg are actually quite good! The picnic site is open all year round, every day starting at sunrise. How Many Bears Live in the Smoky Mountains? Bear spray is legal for self defense in The Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Get quick answers from Cades Cove staff and past visitors. Black Bears. We saw more of the mountains, the wildlife and were more entertained by a trip to Hartford up the bypass to float.Our float guide did say you have to go first thing when the sun rises to enjoy it. In fact, its name comes from the Cherokee leader, Chief Kade. Bear attacks on humans are very rare. 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. I avoid the summer months and October because of the crowds. This is large part due to the cut back of nuisance bears, the ones people condition to approach humans for food. 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. If you want to be sure to see a black bear, this is one of the places to go. Cades Code Loop. So anytime other than winter is good. Late spring and early fall are particularly good times to visit if youre looking for bears. Saw bear, horses and wild Turkeys. As I mentioned above, allowing the bear to eat human food and trash also will decrease its lifespan significantly. One things for sure: whether you see a black bear or not, the experience of exploring Cades Cove alone is well worth the trip. You'll likely work up an appetite after venturing through the meadows of Cades Cove. 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. Every year, thousands of vacationers see black bears in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, mostly on the Tennessee side. While you may not like traffic, fall is one of the best times to visit Cade Cove! The drive was slow but enjoyable. Explore the historic buildings! 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. November, January, February, and March are the slowest months of the year, with the exception of December picking back up. Late April to October is peak visiting time for the area. We greatly appreciate your support and each and every one of our followers! Best. The hottest temperatures occur from January - March, and the coldest . Get ready for breathtaking valley views, incredible historic structures, adventurous nature trails, wild animals all around, and best of all higher chances to spot a Smoky Mountain black bear! I usually travel during the week instead of weekends. Spirit Bears: As with the grizzly bears, the best time to see the spirit bears is the summer when you can cruise the coast of B.C. Absolutely not. This helps with congestion in the park and will help you get a better viewing experience. If youve never seen an elk in person youll be amazed at how large these majestic creatures are. Allow 2-4 hours time for this excursion, maybe more if you plan on doing a bit of exploring or having a picnic perhaps. Late April to October is peak visiting time for the area. Promptly dispose of garbage in the bear-proof trash cans; if you see a bear, do not approach it. Loved the drive to cades cove. 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. Use a telefoto lens, binoculars, or a spotting scope to view bears. The scenic driving tour through the Cades Cove Loop takes approximately two to four hours depending on traffic. On our first trip back to Cades Cove since it reopened we saw many black bears, deer, and turkeys. In spring you can expect to see beautiful spring flowers everywhere, and during the fall the mountains come alive with changing leaf colors. Good luck and be safe! August starts to get pretty hot and the chance of rain increases this month. Popular Great Smoky Mountains National Park Categories, Things to Do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN 37738-4102, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Tourism, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Vacation Rentals, Restaurants near Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Photos, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Travel Guide, All Great Smoky Mountains National Park Hotels, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Pet Friendly Campgrounds, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Campgrounds, Attractions in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, can we buy lunch etc at Cades Cove End of march, can we get lunch up there at a cafe etc, coming from New Zealand in march. Glaze Drying Times: How Long Should Glaze Dry Before Firing? Its worth it when you do see one. photographing Black Bears in Cades Cove NaturePhocus What time of day are black bears most active in fall? Be sure to say hello and leave a comment!Facebook https://www.facebook.com/questcapsuleTwitter https://www.twitter.com/questcapsuleInstagram https://www.instagram.com/questcapsuleQuest Capsule - 2021================= These bears will be in captivity so its probably not what you were hoping for, its just not the same but if you had no luck on seeing a bear in the wild and everyone is bummed about no bear sightings you may want to consider this as an option. Black bears love to climb. Ever feed a family dog from the table or give him food off your plate? Bring binoculars! March 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. 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. Read more about black bears in the National Park here. Daily Hours Cades Cove is open year round and daily, weather permitting. This California National Park With Towering Redwoods Also Has Some of the Most Beautiful Wildflowers in the U.S. We stopped there and took lots of family pictures.Before we saw any bears, though, we had come across one "Park Volunteer" who seemed a little put out to answer any questions. They have a small concession stand inside as well, but the prices are exorbitant ($5.75 for a soft pretzel & cheese! This equals a population density of approximately two bears per square mile. You can zip around and hope to spot a bear or two, or you can stop and take your time at the many landmarks along the way, a drive that could stretch to 4, 5, even 6 hours if youd like. Males may weigh around 250 lbs in the summertime, but can double their weight in the fall when they are fattening up for winter. We also share helpful tips and guides on a variety of topics related to animals and nature. It's one of the most popular spots for bear sightings. Go in the morning(6 a.m. to 10 a.m.) or late afternoon(3 - 7 p.m.). One of our favorite spots in Cades Cove is the Pearl Harbor Tree. Use your best judgment, give them plenty of space, and dont approach them. 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. 1,500 black bears 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. In addition to bears, Cades Cove is a great place to see wild turkey, deer, raccoons, and groundhogs. Read more about this place before you venture there to be prepared. For avid bear watchers and lovers of the mountains, the ever-popular Cades Cove loop is 11 miles of pure excitement and can be every time you go, even when stuck in a bit of a bear jam or even if you don't see any bears at all. While traffic along the loop may be heavy, the slower pace will keep your photos picturesque and your memories strong. Mountains. They have lots & lots of shirts, hoodies, hats, plush bears, and all kinds of gift items (mugs, keychains, magnets, snow globes, etc.). 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. Learn the best times to visit Cades Cove if you want to avoid traffic, want to see wildlife, or take some stunning photos of the area! Cades Cove is an 11-mile loop road in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that is home to lots of wildlife.