Aggressive bears force camping ban in parts of the Appalachian Trail. One bit a hiker
Overnight camping has been prohibited along more than 20 miles of the Appalachian Trail in North Carolina because of threats posed by bears.
Among the incidents: A hiker was bitten by a bear in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy reports.
“Due to recent aggressive bear behavior, a temporary closure is in place for overnight camping from Tanyard Gap to Deep Gap,” the U.S. Forest Service said in a May 11 news release.
“While backpackers are still permitted to hike through the area, all campsites and shelters are off limits, to include the area surrounding Rich Mountain Fire Tower.”
The ban went into effect May 11 and covers the 13.7 miles from Tanyard Gap to Little Laurel Shelter and 6.8 miles from Deep Gap to Little Laurel Shelter, officials said. It remains “effective until further notice.”
News of the ban comes two days after Great Smoky Mountains National Park closed Cosby Knob Shelter (northbound mile 231.1) because of a bear that “showed no fear of humans and bit a hiker,” the Appalachian Trail Conservancy reported May 9.
“All area visitors should use caution and avoid the shelter area, including for breaks or to use the privy,” the conservancy said in a release.
Past overnight camping bans along Appalachian Trail have been put in place when bears wandered into occupied camps in search of food and defied attempts to frighten them away, McClatchy News reported.
Bears are native to all parts of the Appalachian Trail and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. They reach 6 feet and weigh as much as 880 pounds in North Carolina, and can run “at speeds of 35 miles per hour,” according to N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.
The Appalachian Trail has more than 250 back country shelters that are an average of about 8 miles apart, the forest service reports.
This story was originally published May 11, 2023 at 2:39 PM with the headline "Aggressive bears force camping ban in parts of the Appalachian Trail. One bit a hiker."