10/24/2026
Hiker Safety 101: What to do if you see a bear on the trail. 🐻🌲🥾
Spotted a black bear while out exploring? Don’t panic! Encountering wildlife is one of the most exciting parts of visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Here is the exact checklist to keep you and the bear safe:
• 🛑 Stop and Keep Your Distance: Never approach a bear. Federal law requires staying at least 50 yards (150 feet) away at all times. If the bear changes its behavior because of you, you are too close.
• 🧘♂️ Stay Calm: Do not run or make sudden, aggressive movements. Running can trigger a bear’s natural chase instinct.
• 🗣️ Make Yourself Known: Stand tall, back away slowly while facing the bear, and speak in a calm, loud voice so it knows you are human.
• 🎒 Hold Onto Your Gear: Never drop your backpack or toss food to a bear. This teaches them to associate hikers with snacks, which is dangerous for everyone.
🎒 Pro-Tip: When you stay at Fairways Vista, you are right on the edge of the national park boundaries! We love our local wildlife, and keeping them wild means they stay safe. 🏔️✨
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