Black Bears

Bears are prevalent in Yosemite and for their sake and your own, take the Park rules seriously.

Plan Around Black Bears

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Black Bears Details

The black bears in Yosemite are powerful predators, with an appetite to match. They use their incredible sense of smell to easily sniff out food stowed in cars, and will find a way to break into your vehicle and steal it if given the opportunity. In addition to an expensive repair bill, you may be contributing to the death of the bear by leaving food in your car, since animals that become habituated to humans may need to be killed if they become aggressive. Anything remotely edible that has a scent should be considered food; that includes canned goods, bottles, drinks, soaps, cosmetics, toiletries, trash, ice chests (even when empty), and unwashed dishes. Food should only be kept in cars -- out of sight and with windows completely closed -- during daylight hours. At night, you must use a food locker (these are provided at the Curry Village parking lot and most trailhead parking areas). To prevent a bear break-in, be sure to thoroughly clean out any food debris from your vehicle. Use the food lockers in campgrounds, Housekeeping Camp, and Half Dome Village tent cabins. You may even see bears testing the locks to see if they are closed! Keep food out only when you are preparing and eating it. Trash, too, must go into the locker after meals. Food may be stored in hard-sided trailers and RVs, as long as windows, doors, and vents are closed and food is kept out of sight. Don't store food in pop-up or tent trailers, or other soft-sided campers. If you're staying in a hotel room or cabin, keep food inside and windows and doors closed when you are out. If you are at a picnic area or camping, keep your food close-by, never unattended. Wilderness campers are required to carry and use bear-resistant food containers ("bear canisters").

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