Encounters With BearsTreat bear encounters with extreme caution! Bear pepper spray may be carried by hikers within Great Smoky Mountains National Park for the strict purpose of protection against bodily harm from aggressive wildlife.
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Location of Bears in the SmokiesWith approximately 1,500 bears in the park, the population density is roughly two bears per square mile! This means that bear sightings in the park are not uncommon, especially during the early morning and late evening hours in spring and summer when they are the most active.