Trail Updates

10/09/2026

Great Smoky Mountains National Park has closed Cosby Knob Shelter due to bear activity (NOBO mile 231.4). Do not plan to stay here and do not stop here for breaks, to use the privy, or for lunch. Use caution when hiking through this area.

You can protect yourself, other hikers, and bears on the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) by doing the following:

• Educate yourself on bear safety and proper food storage before leaving for the Trail.
• Exercise caution in areas with frequent bear activity.
• Properly store all food, trash, and smellables* at night in a bear canister.
• Never sleep with your food or trash. In the park, hikers are required to hang food, trash, and smellables* from the provided bear cables at overnight sites. If you use a bear canister, hang the canister in your pack at night from the cables.
• Keep a clean camp by picking up crumbs and cleaning up spills.
• Pack out all trash and food waste.
• Never leave unsecured food unattended - even for a moment such as a quick trip to the privy or to check out a view.

For more information, visit the park's website.

Please report bear encounters on the A.T. using our Bear Encounter Report form. Early intervention when there's a bear becoming conditioned to human food protects hikers and the bears.

*Anything with an added scent or discernible, not naturally occurring smell should be considered a “smellable” and properly stored in your bear canister at night. Even things marketed as unscented/unscented formulas. This includes sunscreen and lotion, toothpaste and your toothbrush, cookware and utensils, bug spray, soap and hand sanitizer, baby wipes, chapstick, and your water bottle/hydration pack if you use flavored drink additives or powders. Check your first aid kit, too. Flavored medications, ointments, and some glues and adhesives may smell tasty to a bear.