Trail Updates

North Carolina – Standing Bear Activity Warning

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) has historically received reports of bear activity along the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) in the North Carolina, especially in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and near the Georgia border (Standing Indian and Deep Gap areas). However, bears live along the entire Trail through North Carolina.

Before you leave for your hike and while on the A.T.:

• 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 the provided food storage devices (bear boxes or cables) or a bear canister. Never sleep with your food or trash.
• 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.

Hikers in Tennessee outside of Great Smoky Mountains National Park are required to properly store all food, trash, and scented items (“smellables”) according to the U.S. Forest Service Region 8 Food Storage Order. Within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, hikers are required to hang all food, trash, and scented items from the provided bear cables.

The ATC strongly recommends that all overnight hikers use a bear canister for their trips, no matter the area or time of year. In Great Smoky Mountains National Park, hikers should hang their bear canister in their pack from the bear cables.

Did you encounter a bear acting strangely along the Trail (showing little fear of humans, entering a campsite, stealing food, acting aggressively, etc.)? Report the encounter here.

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