Trail Updates

08/12/2026

Great Smoky Mountains National Park has placed Silers Bald Shelter on the bear warning list (NOBO mile 195.8). This means that camping is still allowed at the shelter, but hikers should exercise extreme caution due to elevated bear activity. Hikers should take extra care to to keep a clean camp and store all food, trash, and scented items at night on the provided bear cables.

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 scented items at night in a bear canister.
• Never sleep with your food or trash.
  • In the park, hikers are required to hang food 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.