Smoky Mountain Black Bear

The symbol of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the American Black Bear (Ursus americanus), is perhaps the park's most famous resident. The Smokies provides the largest wild, but protected, bear habitat in the Eastern United States. Though populations are variable, biologists estimate approximately 1,600 bears live in the park, a density of over two bears per square mile.

Click here to learn more about the American Black Bear, and the dangers of interacting with them. It is strongly recommend that you never feed a bear, or try to pet or catch one.