Your vacation in Great Smoky Mountains National Park might include hiking, camping, fishing, picnicking, bird watching, or some other outdoor activity.

All of this fun will be carried out in the great outdoors, where you will share space with a multitude of wild animals!

While planning your vacation to the Smokies, you probably will book a campsite, cabin, or hotel, choose which live shows you want to see in nearby cities, and determine which zip line or riding stable has the best deals.

You also need to plan what you will do if, and when, you encounter a black bear.

Read: The Best Place to See Black Bears in the Park

In 2024, approximately 12.2 million people visited Great Smoky Mountains National Park, sharing the space with a National Park Service estimate of 1,900 black bears.

For the most part, they coexist without incident so we do not want to contribute to an unhealthy fear of bears. However, an unsafe lackadaisical attitude toward black bears can be dangerous.

Far too many people see bears as cute, approachable animals who wouldn’t mind participating in a selfie. This relaxed mindset is very dangerous.

Vacationers get so excited about seeing a bear that they forget these creatures can, and will, injure or kill if they feel threatened. In a bear’s mind, just getting close to them may be considered aggressive behavior.

Remember, black bears are WILD ANIMALS and will attack if they think it is necessary. After all, they believe you are encroaching on their environment, not the other way around.

The key to staying safe is knowing ahead of time what to do if, and when, you see a bear.

Bears do injure people, but fatalities are rare. According to a study by wildlife researcher Stephen Herrero and colleagues, at least 63 people were killed by black bears in North America from 1900 to 2009, mostly in remote areas of Canada and Alaska, with additional fatalities reported in the years since.

You are more likely to be killed by a domestic dog, bees, or lightning than by a black bear.

In Great Smoky Mountains National Park specifically, there have been two recorded fatalities from black bear attacks since the park’s founding in the 1930s: one in 2000 and another in 2020.

Even so, the Boy Scouts’ motto, “Be Prepared,” is timeless advice. Our goal is to provide valuable, proven information for your safety, based on the latest guidelines from the National Park Service (NPS). We want your Smokies vacation to be the best ever!

Preventing Bear Encounters

Before diving into encounter scenarios, prevention is key to avoiding conflicts altogether. Black bears are often attracted to human food sources, which can lead to habituation and dangerous behavior.

Follow these NPS-recommended practices to minimize risks:

• Proper Food Storage: In Great Smoky Mountains National Park, all food, trash, and scented items (like toiletries) must be stored properly. Use bear-proof food lockers at developed campgrounds, hang food from bear cables in back country sites, or carry approved bear-resistant canisters. Never leave food unattended, even for a short time.
• Travel in Groups: Hike and camp in groups of at least four people. Groups are noisier and more intimidating to bears.
• Make Noise: Announce your presence by talking, clapping, or singing, especially in dense vegetation or near streams where bears might not hear you approaching.
• Keep a Clean Camp: Dispose of garbage in bear-proof containers. Wash dishes away from your sleeping area and strain food particles to pack out.
• Never Feed or Approach Bears: Feeding wildlife is illegal and can result in fines up to $5,000 or six months in jail. It also endangers bears, as food-conditioned ones may need to be euthanized.
• Respect Distance Rules: Federal regulations prohibit willfully approaching within 50 yards (150 feet) of a bear or any distance that disturbs it. Violators face fines up to $5,000 and six months in jail.

By following these steps, you reduce the chance of an encounter turning problematic.

Four Scenarios

Let’s begin by reiterating that federal law forbids anyone from “willfully approaching within 50 yards (150 feet), or any distance that disturbs or displaces a bear.” The fine is up to $5,000 and six months in jail. In addition, state laws may apply.

You may not know you are approaching a bear until it is too late. If so, you may find the following suggestions, updated with the latest NPS guidelines, helpful if you are ever confronted by a black bear in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

IMPORTANT: Black bears are wild animals, and their behavior can be unpredictable. These suggestions, aligned with NPS recommendations, DO NOT guarantee your safety during a bear encounter. ALWAYS be aware of your surroundings and NEVER get within 50 yards of a bear. If with cubs, the mother is especially protective, never get between her and them. Report all encounters to park rangers.

Scenario #1

Scenario: A bear is looking at you, making loud noises (like woofing or growling), snapping its jaws, laying its ears back, and/or swatting the ground.

Meaning: This behavior communicates that the bear believes you are too close and feels threatened or afraid. It is demanding more space from you (defensive bluff).

Response: Stay calm and identify yourself by talking in a low, firm voice (e.g., “Hey bear, back off”). Slowly wave your arms above your head to appear larger. Remain still and do not make sudden movements. If the bear is stationary, back away slowly sideways while facing it. Do not run or turn your back. Most bluffs end without contact.

Scenario #2

Scenario: A bear is following you or approaching slowly. It is not making noise or swatting the ground with its paws.

Meaning: It is curious and wants to identify you or check for food. While not immediately threatening, it could escalate.

Response: Stop and hold your ground. Talk calmly to the bear and wave your arms slowly to make yourself look bigger. Move to higher ground if possible. If it continues to approach, get aggressive: shout, clap, blow a whistle, and throw non-food objects like rocks or sticks toward it (not at it initially). Do not run, climb a tree, play dead, or drop your pack/food. If it gets within range, deploy bear pepper spray.

Scenario #3

Scenario: You have food out (or scented items) and a bear approaches.

Meaning: The bear is attracted to the smell and wants your food, which can lead to habituation if it succeeds.

Response: Do not allow the bear access—protect your food to prevent rewarding bad behavior. Stand your ground, make yourself look large, and talk firmly. Make loud noises: shout, clap, blow a whistle or air horn, and wave arms. If in a group, band together to appear more intimidating. Back away slowly only if safe, but do not abandon food immediately. If the bear persists, use bear spray. Report the incident to park rangers, as food-conditioned bears pose risks.

Scenario #4

Scenario: A bear begins charging and shows no signs of stopping; you are under attack (or it stalks you predatorily).

Meaning: The bear sees you as a threat (defensive) or prey (predatory, rare for black bears). This could involve protecting cubs, food, or space.

Response: DO NOT play dead! (This is for grizzly/brown bears only.) Fight back vigorously with everything you have, use rocks, sticks, hiking poles, fists, or kicks aimed at the bear’s face, eyes, and muzzle. Deploy bear spray if possible. Yell for help and make as much noise as you can. If attacked in a tent or at night, fight immediately, as these are often predatory. Black bears can usually be driven off by aggressive resistance.

Choosing the Right Safety Tools

Any Smoky Mountains outdoor adventure should include safety equipment. Whether you are a seasoned backpacker, an avid hiker, a wildlife photographer, or an afternoon picnicker, you never consider leaving home without the supplies you need.

“Being prepared” means you need the proper safety tools. “Being safe” is knowing how and when to use them.

Loud noises scare most animals, causing them to run for cover. This holds true for black bears and is your first line of defense, along with throwing rocks and sticks.

If that doesn’t work, a specially formulated pepper spray for bears will likely do the trick. Bear spray is proven effective and recommended by the NPS for use in national parks (check EPA approval).

Here are several small tools we believe may make a difference in your safety:

• Air Horns: Devices like marine-grade air horns produce blasts audible up to a mile away. They are lightweight and compact for backpacks.
• Safety Whistles: High-decibel whistles (e.g., 120+ dB) can be heard far and wide. Attach one to your pack or wear it on a lanyard.
• Bear Pepper Spray: Use EPA-approved formulas designed for bears (e.g., those with 1-2% capsaicin). Practice deploying it, aim for a 25-40 foot range in a cloud toward the bear’s face. The following brands are commonly recommended. Carry it in a holster for quick access.
  • UDAP 18HP Super Magnum Bear Spray 13.4 oz
  • Frontiersman Bear Spray w/Hip Holster-Max Strength & Range-35 ft-9.2 oz
  • Counter Assault CA-12HVP/sb Bear Spray

The above links take you to Amazon.com where you may purchase these items if you are so inclined. We are required by law to tell you that we receive a small referral commission if you buy something. You do not pay more when you make a purchase using one of these links.

We want you to have a wonderful vacation right here in our backyard, Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Millions of people come from throughout the world for the outdoor vacation of a lifetime, and they get it. The black bear is a wonderful part of their experience. Enjoy them, safely!