You can see bears in Gatlinburg at several popular locations, both in the wild and in controlled environments:
Best Wild Bear Viewing Spots
- Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail : A 5.5-mile one-way loop road near Gatlinburg, known for frequent bear sightings due to abundant berries and nuts. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to spot bears here
- Cades Cove : An 11-mile loop road famous for wildlife viewing including bears. Early morning or late afternoon visits increase your chances. The area is scenic and often has groups of people spotting bears from a distance
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park : Bears roam throughout the park, including spots like Newfound Gap and Chalet Village area. The park has about 1,500 black bears, making sightings common
- Baskins Creek Falls and The Place of a Thousand Drips : These hiking spots in the park have reported bear sightings on trails.
Guaranteed Bear Viewing Locations
- Three Bears General Store in Pigeon Forge : Features a 5,000 sq. ft. live bear habitat where you can see resident bears for a small fee ($3). It includes educational information about bears and conservation
- Ober Gatlinburg Wildlife Encounter : A private zoo with black bears and other wildlife, included with the park wristband. It is family-friendly and guarantees bear sightings in a safe environment
Other Notable Spots
- Gatlinburg Space Needle : Visitors have reported seeing bears roaming around from the observation deck at sunset.
- Gatlinburg SkyPark : Scenic chairlift rides offer mountain vistas where bears can sometimes be spotted.
For the best chance to see bears in the wild, visit early morning or late afternoon at the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail or Cades Cove. If you prefer a guaranteed and educational experience, the Three Bears General Store and Ober Gatlinburg Wildlife Encounter are excellent choices
