1800-933-8674

Save Now: Click here to view our specials and packages.

Reagan Inn - Downtown Gatlinburg HotelReagan Inn - Downtown Gatlinburg Hotel
Menu
  • Home
  • Our Rooms
  • Amenities
  • Vacation Packages & Specials
    • Current Packages & Specials
  • Helpful Info
    • Read Our Blog
    • Gatlinburg Area Guide
    • Group Info
    • Contact Us
  • Book Now

Black Bear Visits Reagan Resorts Inn in Downtown Gatlinburg

  • Home
  • Black Bear Visits...

Black Bear Visits Reagan Resorts Inn in Downtown Gatlinburg

CategoriesOur Gatlinburg Hotel

Reagan Resorts Inn has hosted guests from all around the world, but it is a Smoky Mountain native who recently made headlines for his surprise visit to our hotel. He didn’t have reservations, he didn’t have any money…and he didn’t even have opposable thumbs! Around half past midnight on December 4th, a black bear came lumbering into our parking lot. The furry visitor was spotted by two of our guests, keep reading to learn how this black bear’s visit went!

Guests, John Gonzalez and Kevin Bowers, were visiting Gatlinburg from Tampa, Florida. The two friends were coming back to our hotel when they spied the bear hanging around the elevator door. John told local news station WATE that it was his “first time ever seeing a bear”, so the experience is definitely one he’ll remember for a long time. After exploring the parking lot for a little while, the bear disappeared down a back alley.

Aunt Mahalia's Candies in downtown Gatlinburg.

While we can’t be sure what compelled the bear to check out our hotel, we like to think that he was looking for a good spot to hibernate for the winter. After all, what could be better than snuggling up in one of our comfy hotel rooms and taking a nap until March? Unfortunately for our four-legged visitor, our hotel is for humans only, so he’ll have to settle for snoozing in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with all the other bears.

A Bear with a Sweet Tooth

It turns out that December 4th wasn’t the bear’s first adventure in downtown Gatlinburg. Back in October, the same bear paid a visit to Aunt Mahalia’s Candies on the Parkway. Rather than just sniffing around outside, as he did at our hotel, the bear actually went inside the candy store. Fortunately, there were no guests inside the shop, all of the employees were in the back washing dishes, and the bear didn’t stick around for long. Other than a big paw print on the rug, no damage was done to the store.

During the fall, bears prepare for hibernation by gorging themselves on walnuts, acorns, and hickory nuts, often eating hundreds of these foods in a single day. When there is a scarcity of nuts and acorns in the Smoky Mountains, bears will sometimes look for other food sources. Apparently, this can include caramel apples, fudge, peanut brittle, and chocolates!

A family of black bears in a tree.

Seeing Black Bears in the Wild

While bears do visit the Gatlinburg Parkway on occasion, these incidents are very rare. On the whole, bears keep to themselves within the borders of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. If you’re hoping to see a wild black bear during your vacation, your best bet is driving the Cades Cove Loop Road or the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.

Whether you’re in the park or in the city, the following bear safety tips should always be observed:

  • Never feed a bear and remember to throw your garbage away
  • Always remain at least 150 feet (the length of half a football field) away from a bear
  • Don’t run from a bear; slowly back away while watching the bear
  • If a bear approaches you, make loud noises to scare it away and throw non-food objects if necessary

Reagan Resorts Inn, a hotel in downtown Gatlinburg.

About Reagan Resorts Inn

As long as you’re not secretly a bear in disguise, we invite you to stay with us at Reagan Resorts Inn! Located in the heart of downtown Gatlinburg, our hotel is the ideal home away from home for an escape in the Smokies. Offering a swimming pool, complimentary garage parking, and rooms with private patios or balconies, Reagan Resorts Inn has everything you need for an unforgettable getaway. To start planning your vacation, browse our selection of Gatlinburg hotel rooms!

Related Post

JULY 27, 2018

5 Reasons to Stay at Our...

If you are attending a conference at the Gatlinburg Convention Center, you will love the...

JUNE 20, 2018

Top 4 Easy Ways to Save Money...

The Reagan Inn not only offers the most affordable rooms in downtown Gatlinburg, but even...

MAY 25, 2018

Top 4 Reasons Why Your Kids...

If you are planning a family vacation to Gatlinburg and looking for a hotel that your...

MAY 10, 2018

Top 5 Reasons to Plan a...

There is no better place to spend your summer vacation in Gatlinburg than at Reagan Inn!...

APRIL 26, 2018

Top 3 Ghost Tours in...

If you are looking for a fun and unique activity to enjoy in the evening, check out one...

APRIL 25, 2018

4 Benefits of Staying at Our...

For an affordable and fun vacation in Gatlinburg, stay at Reagan Inn! Our Gatlinburg...

Reagan Inn Hotel in Gatlinburg
Great amenities and the perfect location for your Gatlinburg vacation.
Take a look at all of our rooms available and reserve today.
Click Here to Reserve
What are you looking for?
Recent Area Info
  • Top 4 Things to Do in the Smoky Mountains Without Hiking the Trails

    August 16, 2018
  • Top 5 Free Things to Do in Gatlinburg with Your Kids

    August 6, 2018
Reagan Inn on TripAdvisor
  • TripAdvisor
Reagan Inn is the best place to stay in Gatlinburg – affordable accommodations located on the Gatlinburg Parkway, less than 5 minutes from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.1800-933-8674
TOLL-FREE RESERVATIONS OR QUESTIONS
OUR LOCATION
938 PARKWAY, GATLINBURG, TN37738
  • Home
  • Our Rooms
  • Amenities
  • Vacation Packages & Specials
    • Current Packages & Specials
  • Helpful Info
    • Read Our Blog
    • Gatlinburg Area Guide
    • Group Info
    • Contact Us
  • Book Now
Recent Posts
  • Top 4 Things to Do in the Smoky Mountains Without Hiking the Trails

    August 16, 2018
  • Top 5 Free Things to Do in Gatlinburg with Your Kids

    August 6, 2018
  • 5 Reasons to Stay at Our Hotel Near the Gatlinburg Convention Center for Your Event

    July 27, 2018

© 2025 Reagan Resorts Inn, All Rights Reserved.