One of the most visited national parks, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is facing an unusual challenge this spring: too many bears.
Park officials have recently been forced to close multiple trails and backcountry areas due to increased bear activity, raising concerns for both visitor safety and wildlife protection. While seeing a black bear is often a highlight for visitors, the current amount highlights how quickly that excitement can turn into a serious safety issue.
Why Are Areas of the Park Closing?
According to the National Park Service, several trails, including Abrams Falls Trail and sections of backcountry routes, have been temporarily shut down due to bear activity.
These closures aren’t taken lightly. They’re put in place when bears begin frequenting specific areas or showing signs of aggressive or unpredictable behavior. In some cases, biologists actively monitor animals to better understand what’s driving the activity…