We spent a week there.

Between Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg in a cabin... All rental cabins have a bright light on each side of the cabin (outside)
We were told if we hear noise outside at night turn them all on to scare bear away But we never did see them but it was 4th of July week & they probably were scared off by the crowd.

---

You couldn't possibly know the whole story with only half the facts.