A family staying at a cabin in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, experienced a frightening encounter with a black bear. The animal wandered onto their deck and appeared to look for a way inside.
The family watched from safely indoors as the bear approached their cabin doors. Fortunately, they had locked the doors before the unexpected visitor arrived.
“Good thing we made sure to lock the doors.”
"Good thing we made sure to lock the doors."
A black bear gives a family a scare by walking onto the deck of their Gatlinburg, Tennessee, cabin and trying to open the doors.
The bear stands on its hind legs and works the handles of two different doors as the family watches from… pic.twitter.com/4ygp2njMmd
— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 16, 2026
Bear Tries to Open Cabin Doors
The black bear stood on its hind legs and began working the handles of two different doors. The unusual behaviour left the family watching anxiously from inside the cabin.
The bear repeatedly investigated the entrances while the family remained safely behind the locked doors. Its attempts created a tense moment for everyone inside.
However, the animal did not stop at the cabin. It also approached the family’s vehicle, which was parked outside.
Bear Attempts to Enter Vehicle
The bear tried to break into the parked vehicle as well. One family member described the encounter as a “pretty scary moment.”
Black bears are common in parts of Tennessee, particularly around the Great Smoky Mountains region. Encounters can occur when bears search for food or investigate unfamiliar objects.
The incident served as a reminder for visitors to secure cabins, vehicles and other potential entry points. Keeping doors locked can provide an important barrier when wildlife approaches.
Thankfully, the family remained safely inside during the encounter. The bear eventually left after failing to gain access to either the cabin or vehicle.
The unusual encounter gave the family a memorable story from their Tennessee trip. It also showed why visitors should remain cautious when staying in areas where bears are active.
