When Bears Come to Visit:

Our Wild Gatlinburg Experience

We had heard the stories. “You might see a bear or two.” What we did not expect was to have our own little bear neighborhood right outside our rental home in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. What followed was one of the most unforgettable family vacations we have ever had, complete with named bears, a hot tub standoff, and one very personal lesson I will never forget.

Meet the Locals

From the moment we settled in, it became clear we were not the only ones with a claim to the property. We quickly identified six recurring “guests.”

Sarah was our most frequent visitor, a confident and clearly experienced bear who had figured out that vacation rentals come with perks. How do we know? Because Sarah got into our car and helped herself to a bag of pistachios. She then strolled just inside the tree line beside the driveway and enjoyed every last one of them like she had earned it. 

Pistachio was the adolescent bear that traveled with Sarah. Named, of course, in honor of her most famous heist.

The Mom and Cubs were a sweet but sobering sight. A mama bear with her two little ones, looking deceptively adorable until they decided to walk over to our neighbors’ house and open the car door. Yes, open it. They climbed right in. My daughter Erica ran over and knocked on the neighbors’ door trying to warn them, but could not get anyone to the door in time. These bears know exactly what they are doing.

The Lone Male was a large, solitary, and quietly intimidating bear that would appear without warning. He did not travel with anyone. He did not need to.

Our Crew and the Trip

I was there with my daughter Erica, her husband Josh, and their two kids, along with my oldest daughter Stephanie’s two kids. We arrived on a Saturday, and Stephanie joined us on Wednesday. She had been hearing all of our bear stories and was hoping to have her own encounter. She did not have to wait long.

On her first morning, she stepped out onto the second story patio with her coffee. Within seconds she called out, “Bear!” There they were. The mom and her two cubs, right on cue, as if they knew a new audience had arrived.

The next morning, Stephanie was working from home in her bedroom on the lower level when she saw a shadow pass by the window. A moment later my phone lit up with a text: “Bear alert.”

I was so glad she got her bear moments. That is exactly the kind of thing you want to bring home from a trip like this.

The Hot Tub Situation

One of the things they tell you about Gatlinburg bears is that they are mostly active in the early morning and at night, and that if you are loud, they will stay away. Our experience proved both of those things wrong.

We were all in the hot tub, which sits just outside the living room window with a wide open view. The grandkids were being wonderfully, gloriously loud. And yet, the neighbors up the hill started calling down to warn us that the mom and cubs were on their way. We got everyone out fast and headed inside, and watched through that big living room window as the bears circled the hot tub like they owned the place. (We had noticed the hot tub cover had evidence of a previous attempted break-in. So this was apparently not their first visit.)

We were not going to let the bears win entirely, though. We tried the hot tub again later. My 15-year-old grandson and I stood guard while the rest of the family soaked. My son-in-law described it as a “very relaxing experience,” and I say that with all the sarcasm he intended.

My Up Close and Personal Moment

Here is the part of the story where I fully admit I made a mistake.

When Sarah was enjoying her pistachio feast just inside the tree line, I thought it would be a great opportunity to get a photo. I crept closer. And closer. I was maybe 10 feet away when I realized I could not quite see her clearly through the brush.

Sarah could see me just fine. She huffed mixed with a low growl. And then she hit both front paws on the ground and shifted toward me. Just an inch. That was all it took.

Now, they tell you to back away slowly and calmly if a bear gives you a warning. I did not run, because I know you absolutely should not do that. But I did not exactly stroll either. Let’s call it a very brisk, purposeful fast walk back to the house. Lesson learned. Respect the bear. Always.

Bears Are Everywhere

It was not just at our rental. At breakfast one morning, our waitress mentioned casually that there had been a bear in the parking lot earlier that day. A woman I met at the park told me a bear had gotten into her house and the only casualty was a butter dish. Our neighbor across the way, a local who clearly knew what she was dealing with, took her dog out every time with a shotgun in her hands. Probably not to shoot the bear but to make a loud noise if they came near. 

We even watched a bear calmly eating grass along the side of the road as we drove past swerving to miss her.  Just grazing. Unbothered.

These animals are smart, adaptable, and completely at home in spaces we think of as ours. They can open car doors. They can turn door knobs. They have figured out that where people are, food follows.

Bear Aware Tips:

What You Need to Know Before You Go

After our experience, I went straight to [BearWise.org](https://bearwise.org/bear-safety-tips/) for the official guidance. Here is what every visitor to Gatlinburg (and any bear country) should know before they arrive.

Never feed bears, intentionally or accidentally.
Leaving food in your car, on your porch, or in unsecured trash is an open invitation. Bears that find food near people lose their natural caution, and that puts them and you at risk.

Secure your vehicle.
Lock your car doors every single time, even for a few minutes. Bears can and will open unlocked doors. Do not leave food, wrappers, or anything with a scent inside.

Lock your doors and windows.
Open doors and windows are an open invitation to bears. Keep trash out of sight and reach. Always close and lock up, every time. Bears can turn door knobs.

Do not approach bears for photos.
I learned this one personally. If a bear huffs, moans, clacks its jaws, swats at the ground, or has its ears laid back, it is stressed and warning you. Back away slowly, do not turn and run, and give it space.

Do not run.
Running can trigger a chase response. If a bear approaches, stand your ground, make yourself look large, speak in a calm firm voice, and back away slowly.

Bears are active all day.
The idea that bears only come out at dawn and dusk is a myth, at least in Gatlinburg. We saw bears at all hours. Plan accordingly.

Noise is not a guaranteed deterrent.
Loud kids in a hot tub did not stop our bears from coming. Stay aware of your surroundings no matter how much noise is happening around you.

Bear spray is a powerful tool.
If you are hiking or spending significant time outdoors, carry bear spray and know how to use it. It is made from capsaicin and is highly effective when used correctly.

The Takeaway

I would not want to live in Gatlinburg, always having to be on alert every time you step outside. But my goodness, it is a beautiful area, and I love it.

Go. Enjoy every single second of it. Soak in that hot tub (with a lookout, just in case). Watch for bears from a safe distance. Leave the pistachios at home.

Or at the very least, lock them in the car.

Sarah is watching.

Happy Travels and Adventures

KathieyV