Camping still prohibited along the Appalachian Trail in the Pisgah National Forest due to bear activity

— Due to continued bear activity, camping is still prohibited along the Appalachian Trail in the Pisgah National Forest from Grassy Fork Road, mile marker 245, to Max Patch Road, mile marker 253.

Hikers should use bear canisters to store food and all other scented items. Bears are taking down bear bags hanging from trees and riffling through camping supplies and gear. Bears have also been reported in other parts of the national forests including on the Grandfather Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest near Old NC 105 and in the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness on the Nantahala National Forest.

Visitors are encouraged to prevent bear interactions by being BearWise and practicing these safety tips no matter where they are in the forest:

• Do not store food in tents.

• Clean up food or garbage around fire rings, grills, or other areas of your campsite.

• Do not burn food scraps or trash in your fire ring or grill. Black bears are seldom aggressive, and attacks are rare.

To avoid bear attacks, experts recommend the following:

• Keep your dog on a leash.

• If you see a bear, pack up your food and trash immediately and leave as soon as possible.

• If a bear approaches, move away slowly; do not run. Back away slowly in the opposite direction until the bear leaves.

• If necessary, attempt to scare the bear away with loud shouts, by banging pans together, or throwing rocks and sticks at it. • If you are attacked by a black bear, try to fight back using any object available. Act aggressively, yelling and waving your arms. Playing dead is not appropriate because black bears will eat dead animals.