Bear Safety

Avoid bear encounters, and never approach a bear.

Plan Around Bear Safety

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Bear Safety Details

Don't Surprise Bears Bears will usually move out of the way if they hear people approaching, so make noise. Most bells are not enough. Calling out and clapping hands loudly at regular intervals are better ways to make your presence known. Hiking quietly endangers you, the bear, and other hikers. A bear constantly surprised by quiet hikers may become habituated to close human contact and less likely to avoid people. Don't be tempted to approach or get too close to these bears. Don't Approach Bears Bears spend a lot of time eating, so be extra cautious when passing through obvious feeding areas like berry patches, cow parsnip thickets, or fields of glacier lilies. Take the time to learn what these foods look like. Keep children close by. Hike in groups and avoid hiking early in the morning, late in the day, or after dark. Never intentionally get close to a bear. Individual bears have their own personal space requirements, which vary depending on their mood. Each will react differently and its behavior can't be predicted. All bears are dangerous and should be respected equally. Don't Make Assumptions You can't predict when and where bears might be encountered along a trail. People often assume they don't have to make noise while hiking on a well-used trail. Some of the most frequently used trails in the park are surrounded by excellent bear habitat. People have been charged and injured by bears fleeing from silent hikers who unwittingly surprised them along the trail. Even if other hikers haven't seen bears along a trail section recently, don't assume that bears aren't there. Some trail conditions make it hard for bears to see, hear, or smell approaching hikers. Be particularly careful by streams, against the wind, or in dense vegetation. A blind corner or a rise in the trail also requires special attention.

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