Bears

Fontana Dam sits at the southern edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, one of the highest-density American black bear (Ursus americanus) habitats in the United States, with an estimated 1,500 bears in the park alone. Unlike the grizzly, the black bear is generally shy but opportunistic, and sightings are common near wooded trails at dawn and dusk. Visitors are advised to store food in bear-proof containers and maintain a safe distance from any wildlife encountered.