Black bears, the beloved mascots of the Smoky Mountains, are familiar sights here. But where do they go when winter rolls around, and are they out for the count, hibernating?
Do the Smokies’ black bears hibernate in winter?
No, black bears in the Smokies don’t hibernate. They do spend the winter months mostly sleeping, in a state called “torpor.”
What’s the difference between hibernation and torpor? True hibernators drop their own body temperatures dramatically low to conserve energy. But Smokies black bears only drop their temperature by a few degrees. Unlike deeply chilled-out hibernators, black bears can wake up if they’re disturbed or if the winter weather hits a warm spell. And some individuals simply spend less time snoozing. Think of them as the light sleepers of the bear family.
Where do they sleep in winter?
Any secluded spot where bears can hide is a potential winter den. Bears will den inside hollow stumps, under rock ledges, deep beneath the roots of trees, or inside fallen trees. Some bears even den high off the ground, inside hollow tree trunks.
How long do black bears stay in their dens?
Bears retreat to dens from November until spring, with some bears emerging as late as May. Since black bears don’t hibernate, they sometimes wake and leave dens to forage for food. So you can still spy bears in the Smokies, even if you’re visiting here in winter.
Wait, is that a cub?
When the denning season ends in spring, adorable cubs pop out of their mothers’ dens, ready to explore. Females give birth around January, so cubs are already a few months old, curious and active, when they tumble out of dens for the first time.
Where can I see black bears in winter?
Head for Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In the park, Cades Cove is especially known for wildlife, and bears roam the woods around the Cove all year long. Or drive the scenic Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, a gorgeous one-way road through ancient forests. On the Trail, you’ve got a good chance of seeing bears in winter, and mothers with cubs in spring.
Watch for bears any time of year, from the windows of your Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge cabin. Browse our cabins now and plan your getaway to the land of black bears.
