Black Bears

Bears are part of the wildlife that live in the Park.

Plan Around Black Bears

A good stop is not just something to read about. Once it belongs on the day, move into a saved trip and build the route around it.

Add to trip View park guide

Use this detail page to confirm that the stop is worth it, then carry that decision into a trip draft while the park context is still fresh.

Black Bears Details

Bears are part of the wildlife that live in the Park. Most of the time, seeing a bear in the Park is a rare treat, but our actions can sometimes invite bears to become both a nuisance and a hazard in the campground. Acting appropriately in the campground can prevent this problem. The following are ways you can help keep Baxter State Park's bears wild and alive. * Never feed bears (or any other wildlife in Baxter State Park). * Don't burn or bury food scraps or packaging; the odor attracts bears and other animals. Pack out all leftover food and garbage. * Store all food, toiletries, cooking utensils and scented items in your vehicle with windows rolled all the way up or on a bear pole, cable or tree limb, 15 feet high, 10 feet out on a limb. A bear relies on its incredible sense of smell to find food and can smell things we can't, such as canned food or a tube of toothpaste. Properly hanging food or storing it in a vehicle also protects it from the commonest trouble-makers: squirrels or mice! * Don't approach bears to take photos. If a bear walks toward you, shoo it away with hand gestures and loud noises. Please help ensure the bear's survival in the wild by not feeding or coaxing it to get closer for a photo. All of these behaviors can cause bears to lose their fear of humans and become aggressive. As cuddly and cute as bears look, they are wild, unpredictable animals! Baxter State Park is managed as a natural wild setting for animals. If we are forced to relocate a bear or bear cubs to another area, their chances of survival are greatly reduced. We need your help to keep Baxter State Park's bears and other animals wild. Failure to comply with Baxter State Park Regulations or follow these instructions will result in eviction from the Park and/or being issued a summons.

Difficulty

Distance

N/A

Estimated time

Region

Details