One of the most frequently asked questions for people visiting the mountains for the first time would be: Is it safe to hike in the Smoky Mountains?
The answer is an unequivocal yes from a statistical standpoint.
Millions of people visit the Smoky Mountains annually. The number of those who encounter trouble or dangerous situations are very, very few.
Still, there is nothing in life that comes without risk. It’s called the wilderness for a reason – it can be wild.
So here are some basic safety tips and things you should know if you’re going to be hiking the Great Smoky Mountains.
Read Also: The real story: Smoky Mountains National Park not the most dangerous
8. Hike prepared, bring basic supplies
While the Smoky Mountains are overall safe, it’s important to come to your hiking destination prepared. Failure to plan and prepare is usually the main reason that results in an emergency in the backcountry.
Have a basic first-aid kit in your backpack in case of any injuries along the way. On any serious hike, you should carry wind-resistant rain gear, even on sunny days. Temperatures in the higher elevations will be much cooler than in lower elevations.
Here are some preparation tips from the National Park Service:
- Dress in layers
- Pack a flashlight or headlamp
- Wear good shoes or boots
- Bring a trail map
- Bring water (minimum 2 quarts per person, per day)
Don’t try to wear flip-flops or sandals. Check the weather forecast.
Make sure you understand the difficulty of the trail you’re attempting to hike and the requirements of making it in and back out.
Look, you are likely your own biggest threat when hiking in the Smokies.
Each year, far more hikers who were underprepared end up in trouble in the mountains compared to those who face other “dangers”.
Be like a Boy or Girl Scout. Be prepared.
7. Follow the rules
Rules are in place for a reason. If a trail says no dogs, leave your pets at home.
If an area is off-limits, do not venture into restricted areas.
Areas around a waterfall are likely to be slick and therefore dangerous. If a sign tells you not to climb, do not climb. For example, hikers have been injured or reached their end by trying to climb on rocks near Ramsey Cascades.
Use common sense precautions and remember that any restrictions are there for a good reason.
6. Be wary of other hikers, too
It is rare that someone is attacked or threatened on a trail. Logistically, if you’re planning to do some crime, the forest is a fairly difficult place to pull that off.
After all, there are a lot of variables on the trail which include no guarantee of finding a potential victim.
You can hike safely through the mountains with little fear from your fellow humans.
But it does pay to be aware of your surroundings and to keep your guard up around fellow hikers in deep country.
It’s also wise to hike with a companion. There is safety in numbers.
If you must hike alone, let someone know your route and your expected return time. If you do not return as expected, tell them to contact the park at (865) 436-1230.
5. Avoid getting lost, don’t rely on GPS
Google ain’t gonna help with this one. Your cell is not going to get service 50 feet into the park, much less deep on a trail. Even GPS can be unreliable deep in the forest.
Your best bet is to carry a current park trail map and compass. Know how to navigate. Also, remember while the map is flat, the country ain’t.
Make sure you understand the topography before heading out on the trail. If you’re hiking with a group, make sure you stay together. Keep children within eyesight.
The mountains can be quite noisy – especially if there’s wind or water nearby.
It is easy for members of a hiking party to be relatively close to each other and not be able to hear the others shouting.
Read Also: Lost hiker shares his story after overnight stay in the Smokies
4. Bring plenty of water, avoid dehydration
I touched on this earlier, but it’s important enough to mention it twice. Carry enough water to drink adequate supplies to avoid dehydration.
You should have at least 2 quarts per person per day, but 3 to 4 quarts are recommended.
Even though mountain streams are clear and cool, water should not be consumed without having been treated or boiled.
Also, do not attempt to cross swollen streams.
Rushing water carries a lot of force and streams in the mountains can go from benign to dangerous rather quickly. But once the precipitation stops, the streams will calm down relatively quickly as well.
3. Be aware of snakes and insects
There are two types of venomous snakes in the Smokies, the copperhead and the rattlesnake.
Still, snake bites are very rare. In fact, yellowjackets can sometimes cause more issues. According to the NPS, they built nests in the ground along trails and streams and are aggressive when disturbed.
If you have an allergy, bring epinephrine.
Finally, consider wearing tick and mosquito repellant.
2. Don’t hike in the dark
Stuff happens. Maybe you thought you allocated enough time to hike in and back out while the sun was plenty high in the sky.
But a twisted ankle or some other issue delayed your return.
The forest at night is not necessarily unsafe, it’s just dark and disorienting. You can get very lost quite easily in the daylight. You’re even more likely to get lost at night.
Hypothermia is a real thing, even in the summer. If you are forced to stay overnight in the forest, you need to be warm and dry.
If you’re camping, plan to reach your campsite by dark.
1. Be smart about wildlife
The Smokies have a variety of wild animals that can prove dangerous, including wild boar, elk and bobcats.
However, the black bears are the ones you’ll hear about most often.
The park bears are wild animals, which means they can be unpredictable. Attacks on humans are rare, but they can happen.
Treat any bear encounter with extreme caution.
Bear pepper spray is permissible for hikers in the park, but it should not be used as a preventive measure.
People have injured themselves spraying repellent on their equipment in the misguided attempt to ward off a bear before one is encountered.
“Bear pepper spray is a chemical formula designed specifically to deter aggressive or attacking bears. It must be commercially manufactured and labeled as ‘Bear Pepper Spray’ and be registered with the Environmental Protection Agency and individual states,” the National Park Service (NPS) says.
“Bear spray must contain between 1% to 2% of the active ingredients capsaicin and related capsaicinoids.”
Here are some basic tips on black bear safety from the NPS:
- Remain watchful
- Do not approach it
- If your presence causes the bear to change its behavior (stops feeding, changes its travel direction, etc), you are too close
If you are too close to a bear, it may make loud noises or swat the ground. The bear is demanding more space.
Do not run. Back away slowly and maintain eye contact. Increase the distance between you and the bear.
In the very rare event of an attack, fight back and do not play dead. Most black bears will give up.
Read Also: What do you do if you see a black bear in the Smokies?
Leave no trace. Pack it in, pack it out
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the world. And perhaps surprisingly, the park operates with a limited staff.
You may find that trash bins are somewhat limited along hiking trails. We at TheSmokies.com want visitors to enjoy their time in the park, but please do so responsibly.
Make sure whatever you bring with you also leaves with you.
Read Also: Trash continues to pile up in the Smokies, volunteers seek help
What would you add to our safety tips for hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains? Let us know in the comments.
Click here to view the web story version of this article.
Along with rain gear and sturdy, comfortable shoes (boots), I’d suggest gloves and a hat of some sort.
Plus, some piece of clothing or gear that’s reflective or bright colored so if you’ve gotten lost or fallen you’d be more easily seen by those looking for you.
A laymen’s guide to hiking, but definitely good advice. I have seen novice hikers do crazy things and then get into a bind on the trail. You know who they are when you see them. They wear cotton and carry
too much heavy gear. No water. No map. No compass.
Could you share where the photo at the beginning of the article was taken? Thanks
Hi Marsha – It’s a stock photo that only says it was taken on the North Carolina side. To me, it looks like it could be Hawksbill Mountain in Linville (but not certain). Hope that helps!