Bear Necessities: A Humorous Guide to Our Furry Neighbors (and How Steve Almost Outran One)

If you’re staying at a Pocono Pines cabin rental near Lake Naomi, you might be wondering:: Are there bears in the Pocono Mountains? The short answer is yes — and seeing wildlife is actually part of the charm of staying in a wooded Pocono cabin. Here’s what you should know to stay safe and enjoy the experience.

Wildlife You May See Near Your Pocono Pines Cabin Rental

Let's get one thing straight: when we named the cabin Bearly Roughing It, we thought we were being clever. You know, a cute bear pun for a luxury cabin where you're definitely not sleeping on the ground or filtering creek water through a bandana.

Turns out, the bears took it as a personal invitation.

The Day Steve Learned He's Not as Fast as He Thinks

Picture this: It's a gorgeous Tuesday morning. Birds are chirping. The creek is babbling. Steve (that's me, your friendly cabin owner) is down by the water doing some routine maintenance, probably picking up sticks or checking on something that didn't actually need checking because I just like being outside.

I look up.

There, about 30 feet away, is a black bear. A big one. And we lock eyes.

Now, here's what every single "What To Do If You See A Bear" guide will tell you: Don't. Run.

Here's what Steve did: Ran.

The bear rushed toward me. I rushed the other way. It was less "graceful wildlife encounter" and more "two idiots in the woods having a mutual panic attack." Thankfully, the bear decided I wasn't worth the cardio and wandered off to find something more interesting, probably AJ's Pizza delivery, which honestly, I can't blame him for.

And that, dear future guests, is how I became a cautionary tale in my own blog post.

Are Bears Common in Pocono Pines?

Black bears are native to the Pocono Mountains and are commonly seen in wooded communities like Lake Naomi, especially during spring and summer months.

The Silver Lining: You Don't Have to Outrun the Bear

You know the old joke, right?

"You don't have to be faster than the bear. You just have to be faster than the other guy."

If you're traveling with your slowest friend or that one uncle who insists on wearing Crocs on hiking trails, you're golden. You're welcome for that tactical advantage.

But in all seriousness (and because my wife made me include this part): please don't run from bears. I did it wrong. Learn from my mistakes. I'm like the "What Not To Wear" of wildlife encounters.

What You're Actually Supposed To Do

Okay, let's get educational for a hot minute. Black bears in the Poconos are typically pretty chill. They're not out here auditioning for a horror movie. They're basically large, furry raccoons with better PR. But it's good to know what to do if you spot one during your stay at Bearly Roughing It.

If You See a Bear:

1. Stay Calm (Unlike Steve)
Don't scream. Don't run. Just...be cool. I know that's easier said than done when you're face-to-face with 300 pounds of "nope," but bears are usually more scared of you than you are of them. (Steve's bear was clearly an exception.)

2. Make Noise
Talk in a calm, firm voice. Wave your arms slowly. Let the bear know you're human and not a giant, delicious blueberry bush. Most of the time, they'll peace out on their own.

3. Back Away Slowly
Give the bear space. Don't turn your back completely, but slowly create distance. Think of it like leaving an awkward conversation at a party.

4. Don't Feed Them (Obviously)
This isn't a petting zoo. Feeding bears makes them associate humans with snacks, which is bad news for everyone, especially future hikers who forgot their trail mix.

At the Cabin: Keep Food Secure

Here's the thing about bears: they have an incredible sense of smell. Like, "I can smell your leftover pizza from two miles away" incredible. So when you're staying at the cabin, here are some easy tips:

• Use our bear-proof trash area (we’ll give you all the details when you arrive). Please don’t leave bags outside or “just for a minute” near the house—using the bear-proof setup helps keep our furry neighbors from getting too curious.

• Don't leave food on the deck. Yes, it's a gorgeous spot for breakfast, but bears don't understand the concept of "outdoor dining." To them, it's just an all-you-can-eat buffet.

• Grill responsibly. Clean up right away. A greasy grill smells like a Michelin-star restaurant to a bear.

• If you're bringing Fido (remember, there's a $75 one-time pet fee), keep dog food inside. We trust you; if you think your fido can be trusted, then that's good enough for us, but bears? Bears can't be trusted around kibble.

• And after a day of wildlife spotting and outdoor adventures, there’s nothing better than relaxing by the fire — check out our ski-themed fire pit guide for cozy winter nights in Pocono Pines.

Why Bears Are Actually Awesome

I know I just told you a story about running for my life, but hear me out: having bears around is one of the coolest parts of staying in the Poconos.

How many places can you go where you might actually see wildlife that isn't a squirrel or a confused pigeon? The fact that black bears roam these woods means you're staying in a place that's still wild, still authentic, still real. It's not some sanitized, theme-park version of "nature." It's the actual deal.

Plus, it makes for incredible stories. Your kids will talk about "that time we stayed in the cabin where Dad thought he saw a bear" (even if it was just a really large dog) for years. That's the kind of memory you can't buy, well, technically you can, because you're renting the cabin, but you know what I mean.

Bernie, The Bearly a Bathroom, and Other Bear Nods

If you've been poking around the Bearly Roughing It listing, you've probably noticed we're slightly obsessed with bears. Let me give you the grand tour of our bear-themed Easter eggs:

Bernie the Bear

Bernie is our 8-foot-tall, impossibly cuddly stuffed bear who lives in the secret reading nook upstairs. He's basically the cabin's unofficial mascot. Guests love dressing him up (past outfits have included sunglasses, scarves, and one very stylish Hawaiian shirt). Some families even leave him notes. Bernie doesn't talk back, but we're pretty sure he appreciates the attention.

The "Bearly a Bathroom" Sign

Because if you're going to have 4.5 bathrooms total (with 3 en-suite, because we’re fancy like that), you might as well have a little fun with the signage. It's the kind of dad joke that makes people groan and then immediately take a photo to send to their group chat.

The Whole Vibe

Look, we could've named this place "Luxury Pocono Retreat #47" or "Pines & Chill Lodge," but where's the personality in that? The bear theme reminds everyone that you're staying somewhere special, a place where the wild things actually are (sometimes in your driveway, eating bird seed, but still).

Real Talk: Should You Be Worried?

Absolutely not.

We’ve only owned Bearly Roughing It for about 5 months, but one thing’s already crystal clear: bear sightings are pretty common around here—and honestly, that’s part of what makes this place so awesome. Neighbors’ security cameras frequently catch bears (and sometimes cubs!) doing their casual “night shift” strolls through the community. It’s usually more National Geographic than Nightmare on Elm Street.

And it’s not just bears. You might spot wild turkeys strutting around like they pay HOA dues, and LOTS of deer—like, “wait, is that the same deer again?” lots.

Quick PSA with love: please stick to the 25mph speed limit on the community roads. With the deer population out here, it’s not the place to test your car’s “sport mode.” Slow down, enjoy the scenery, and help keep everyone (including the four-legged locals) safe.

The most dangerous thing at Bearly Roughing It is probably tripping over Sam (our dog, the Lifeguard of Inanimate Objects) while he's "rescuing" rocks from the creek. Or getting too comfortable on that leather sectional and never wanting to leave.

Black bears are a part of the Pocono experience, not a reason to avoid it. They're shy, they're smart, and they're way more interested in raiding garbage cans than bothering humans. Just follow the basic food-storage rules, and you'll be totally fine.

Planning Your Stay is Easy (and Bear-Safe)

Booking your stay at Bearly Roughing It doesn't require a project manager or a degree in wildlife biology. We make it simple:

• Check availability at bearlyroughingit.com/property/BRI

• Book your dates

• Show up with your family, your dog (and that $75 pet fee), and maybe some marshmallows for the fire pit (free wood provided, by the way)

• Relax in a place where bears are just part of the scenery, not the main event

We'll give you all the info you need about trash pickup, wildlife tips, and the best local spots (AJ's Pizza delivers, and yes, they've probably seen a bear or two on their route).

The Bottom Line

Yes, we have bears. Yes, Steve ran from one like his life depended on it. And yes, you should absolutely still book your stay.

Because here's the thing: staying at Bearly Roughing It means you're choosing the real Poconos: the version with creeks and trees and wildlife and the occasional "Did you hear that?" moment at night (it's probably just a raccoon). It means waking up to the sound of the creek, not traffic. It means your kids might actually look up from TikTok long enough to spot a deer. It means s'mores by the fire pit, pajamas at 10 AM, and a pace of life that doesn't require an itinerary.

And if you do see a bear? You'll have a story that's way better than mine. Just promise me one thing:

Don't run.

(And if you do, make sure someone slower is with you.)

Ready to experience the Poconos: bears and all? Check out our Pocono Pines vacation rental blog for more tips, stories, and local insights, or head straight to our Pocono Pines cabin rental near Lake Naomi to book your stay. Bernie’s waiting. 🐻