Nate Nelson said he goes out every other year to look for cubs around Cades Cove. Author: John North Updated: 2:16 PM EDT May 11, 2021
Even from a distance of 75 yards, wildlife photographer Nate Nelson gets nervous taking pictures of black bear cubs in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Credit: Nate Nelson
A mother and cubs lounging in Cades Cove in April 2021.
A mama bear could suddenly decide it s time to move on and lead her little family straight in his direction. Wild animals have their own way of doing things a fact humans sometimes forget.
Nelson, of Sevier County, shared some of his pictures from a late April outing in the park to look for cubs. The images are the first he s shot this spring of the young animals.
Ah, the great outdoors. The sun on your face, the wind at your back, and (hopefully) a space to explore with your furry pal. While a walk in the park might seem like the most obvious place in the world to bring a dog, most U.S. national parks have strict rules regarding if and where pets are allowed. Guidelines can vary greatly, so we’ve compiled a list of each one, ranking them from most to least dog-friendly, to help you plan where to take your next parks adventure with your canine companion.
First, a few universal guidelines: keep your pet on a six-foot (or shorter) leash at all times, always bag and throw away your dog’s waste, and never leave an animal unattended in a locked vehicle.
Explore Cades Cove vehicle free Cyclists pedal past full roadside parking areas. NPS photo
Vehicle-free Wednesdays at Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park begin this week, giving cyclists and pedestrians the chance to enjoy this popular area without battling cars and motorcycles.
No motorized vehicles will be allowed on Cades Cove Loop Road on Wednesdays through Sept. 1, and non-motorized users are encouraged to spread out use throughout the day by planning afternoon and early evening visits. Limited on-site parking often fills to capacity during the early morning hours.
This summer, the park expects to launch new tools to avoid these parking issues. Tools will include information systems that allow visitors to find out if parking lots are full before entering the park and shuttles to bring people from Townsend to Cades Cove.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is inviting the public to enjoy the Cades Cove Loop Road on vehicle-free Wednesdays beginning May 5 through Sept. 1. Participants are encouraged to visit in the afternoons and early evenings to spread use out throughout the day. Parking on site is limited, with parking lots often filling to capacity during the early morning hours.
“We look forward to offering this unique experience again, but we are making some modifications to better protect our roadside infrastructure and camping experience from out-of-bounds parking,” said Superintendent Cash. “I heard from many people who loved having the full day to walk or ride their bikes around the cove. The credit for the idea goes to the local field staff who brought the concept forward in an effort to allow people more time to enjoy the loop road and to reduce congestion.”
NATIONAL PARK — Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Appalachian-Piedmont-Coastal Zone fire management staff plan to burn 428 acres of fields in Cades Cove on Thursday, Feb. 25.