Indiana Couple Spots Black Bear Strolling Outside Five Guys in Gatlinburg

When my friends Lynn Minnis and her husband Jeff from Princeton, Indiana, visited Gatlinburg, Tennessee, they kind of hoped to see a bear. But this was a little too close for comfort.

Why Bears Wander into Gatlinburg

Because of the warm season and breeding cycles, bears can get bolder when hunting for food. Human food sources or the possibility of fresh burgers draw bears closer to town. The Independent Smoky Mountain National Park says that the spike in sightings and calls shows just how often people encounter these magnificent creatures.

Black Bears of the Smokies: Some Stats and Insights

Here’s a quick look at the black bear scene in Gatlinburg and the surrounding Great Smoky Mountains.

Population size: Biologists estimate that somewhere between 1,500 and 1,900 black bears roam the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

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According to TheSmokies.com, sightings are on the rise. Social media and local reports indicate bear sightings have become more frequent, especially in scenic areas like Cades Cove and even along the Gatlinburg strip.

There have been other wild guest appearances from bears entering restaurants to cubs playing on swings captured on Ring cameras.