Trail Updates

05/05/2026

Great Smoky Mountains National Park has closed Mollies Ridge Shelter due to bear activity (NOBO mile 178.0). Hikers should avoid this shelter, including not stopping at the shelter for breaks or lunch.

You can protect yourself, other hikers, and the bears by:

• 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.
• Respect closures like this one. Closing overnight sites removes human food sources from the area, and can help bears return to their natural, wild behavior.

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.