GSMNP Closing Two Trails Due To Bears

Due to a recent rash of bear sightings, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is temporarily closing two trails in the park. Closing are the Gatlinburg Trail between Gatlinburg and Sugarlands Visitor Center, and also the Twin Creeks Trail between Gatlinburg and the Twin Creeks Science and Education Center. Both trails are closed due to a large concentration of black bears feeding on acorns in those areas. The trails will remain closed until further notice for the safety of visitors and to allow bears to feed undisturbed on natural foods. Park officials say bears are normally solitary creatures, but, during the fall, several bears may be seen feeding in close proximity. They will often feed for more than 12 hours a day and can be concentrated in areas where abundant food sources are found. During this time period, bears that normally tend to stay away from people, could act aggressively to defend these areas. Bears like to feed on acorns because they help them with fat to store for their long winter’s nap. Officials say that bears may travel more than 30 miles to feed in a particular stand of oak trees.