Black bears and a dead horse

Shared context. In late August 2026, two busy US hiking regions restricted access because of black bear activity. In one case the trigger was a carcass on the trail; in the other, direct bear behaviour in the backcountry.

Colorado: North Fork Trail closed after horse carcass

On 24 August 2026 the U.S. Forest Service closed the North Fork Trail north of Glen Haven, Larimer County, on Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests land just east of Rocky Mountain National Park. The reason was a large animal carcass near the route.

According to the agency, the horse was spooked, bucked, and fell with its rider; the animal was euthanised. The carcass remained beside a popular path through Comanche Peak Wilderness toward the RMNP boundary (up to about 8,970 ft). Officials fear it will attract predators, including bears that have been more active this summer as drought reduces natural food.

The trail stays closed until wildlife-related risk is reduced. Other routes from the Dunraven Trailhead remain open.

Great Smoky Mountains: ongoing bear closures

As of 25 August 2026, Great Smoky Mountains National Park lists several bear-related closures and warnings during the May–August peak season when sows and cubs search for food.

Closed: Hazel Creek Trail from Campsite 83 to the Welch Ridge Trail junction (Campsite 83 and Bone Valley Trail open); backcountry campsites #34, #70, #82; sites #19 and #91 because bear-food cable systems are down.

Warnings (bears active, use extreme caution): Trillium Gap Trail, Silers Bald Shelter.

The park stresses that high bear activity can occur anywhere; food must be stored properly and approaching within 50 yards (~45 m) is prohibited under federal rules.

For trip planning: check current NPS and Forest Service closure pages before you go — both cases are typical of a dry US mountain summer when wildlife pressure on trails increases.