Summit View Log Cabin Community

Vacationing in East Tennessee this summer? There's a good chance that you'll be near black bears at some point, especially if you visit the GSMNP. Take a look at these vacation tips to keep yourself and the bears safe while enjoying the best that Tennessee has to offer.

Local road conditions 🚘🚃🚠🚦

Current Delays and Closures - Great Smoky Mountains National Park (U.S. National Park Service) Weather-related road and facility closures may change throughout the day. For updated road and weather information please call (865) 436-1200. Once you hear a voice, press 1, then press 1 for road information or 2 for a weather forecast.

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Tips for Bear-proofing your Home, Rental or Timeshare

Do not toss food scraps out into the yard.
Purchase and properly use a bear-proof garbage container.
Wait to put trash out until the morning of collection day.
Do not leave trash, groceries or pet food in your car.
Keep garbage cans clean and deodorize them with bleach or ammonia.
Keep barbecue grills clean and stored in a garage or shed when not in use.
It is advised to not hang bird feeders in bear country. If you must, only do so during November through March and make them inaccessible to bears. Keep in mind bears are excellent climbers.
Do not leave any scented products outside, even non-food items such as suntan lotion, insect repellent, soap or candles.
Keep doors and windows closed and locked when unoccupied.
Consider installing motion-detector alarms and/or electric fencing.
Bring pets in at night. Provide safe and secure quarters for livestock at night.
Consider composting bins as opposed to open composting.
Securely block access to potential hibernation sites such as crawl spaces under decks and buildings.
Do not spray bear spray around property – when it dries, it can serve as an attractant.
Do not feed deer or other wildlife – this will attract bears to your home.
Harvest fruit off trees as soon as it is ripe, and promptly collect fruit that falls.
If a bear breaks into your home, do not attempt to confront the bear. Give the bear an escape route. If the bear cannot make its way out, go to a safe place and call 911.