BRP Closes For Bear Safety
BRP closes for bear safety reasons at an 8-mile-long section in NC. Blue Ridge Parkway officials are closing a section of the parkway temporarily. Several calls were made recently about multiple interactions between humans and a young bear. The 8-mile section closed is located at milepost 372.1 The Lane Pinnacle Overlook.
BRP closes for bear safety
“There were multiple reports of visitors feeding and attempting to hold a young bear at the Lane Pinnacle Overlook. Several pictures posted on social media showed the young bear very close to a crowd of onlookers. There was even a photo of people leaving food on the railings and the bear eating the food.
Earlier in October there were similar interactions witnessed between a young black bear on the parkway. One social media post showed a bear at Lane Pinnacle Overlook walking around a parked motorcycle. Another witness shared an image of a young bear walking around a crowded overlook in the Craggy Gardens.
Temporary Closure BRP Near Lane Pinnacle Overlook
“We are closing this section of the road temporarily for the safety of both the bear and park visitors,” said Superintendent Tracy Swartout. “When people intentionally attract bears with trash and food it can lead to very dangerous situations. In this instance, we want to give the bear a chance to lose interest in the area before the situation escalates and visitors or the bear is harmed.
Lane Pinnacle Overlook BRP NC
The Blue Ridge Parkway between milepost 367.6 near the Craggy Gardens Picnic Area to milepost 375.6 at Ox Creek Road is closed starting today, 11/1/23 until further notice. Visitors can access the Craggy Gardens recreational area by using NC80 from the north. The visitor center at milepost 364.5 will remain closed until the section reopens.
During fall bears forage for food. They need to put on weight in preparation for the upcoming winter and hibernation. During this time bears actively seek out natural foods such as berries and nuts. Bears have an excellent sense of smell. Smells attract bears. They can smell and will eat human foods. They can also learn to associate humans with food which can lead to a dangerous situation. Never feed a bear. And stay at least 150 feet from bears and any other wildlife.
Bear Safety Tips
Bears – observe from a distance. Do not leave food or offer food to the bear. If you suddenly come upon a bear remain calm, quiet, and slowly back away. Do not turn your back to the bears. More bear safety guidelines can be found at NPS.
The parkway official asks if you or anyone else encounter a bear while on the parkway, call 828-298-2491 or stop at the nearest Visitor Center to report the encounter.
