Selection of den sites is a crucial aspect of American black bear ( extit{Ursus americanus}) life history. High-quality dens provide thermal insulation, protection from disturbance, suitable environment for parturition and cub development, and proximity to available forage upon emergence. Slope was the best predictor of den site selection and there was no relationship between den selection and housing density, indicating that black bears were neither avoiding nor seeking urban areas for denning.