An official website of the
United States government
Here's
how you know
Official websites use .gov A .gov
website belongs to an official government organization in the
United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock
(
) or https:// means you've safely
connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only
on official, secure websites.
Secure human food, pet food, toiletries, and garbage in trunk of vehicle or bear-resistant food containers
Keep a Clean Camp
Travel in Groups
Do Not Feed or Approach Bears
Keep Kids Close and Pets Leashed
Make Noise
Carry Bear Spray
Never Approach or Follow Bears
Don’t Block a Bear’s Line of Travel
Use Telephoto Lens, Spotting Scope, or Binoculars to Photograph or Observe Bears
Maintain a Safe Distance
Stay Calm. do not run!
Stand Upright and Slowly Wave Your Arms
Slowly Back Away from the Bear
Do Not Come Between and Mother and her Cubs!
If you are attacked, fight back aggressively!
Black bears are very curious, intelligent, and have good memories!
Bears have an excellent sense of smell which can span miles. Their eyesight is similar to a human’s.
Do Not Feed Bears! Black bears can learn to associate people with food and easily become habituated to human food.
Bears who are seeking food can be attracted to non-foods that have a smell, such as toothpaste, handi-wipes, soap, some medications, cooking utensils and grills, pet food, bird seed, empty food and drink containers, candy wrappers and other garbage.
Never take the items listed above or food into your tent with you!
The safest place for your food is in the trunk of your vehicle or in bear-resistant food storage containers.
Keep a clean camp. Use recycling and trash bins instead of storing garbage in your campsite.
Keep your pets leashed, and remove their food between meals.
What if I See a Black Bear in the Campground?
If a bear approaches, do not run!
Remain calm, group together, and pick up small children.
Continue to face the bear and slowly back away.
If the bear continues to approach, try to scare it away by making loud noises, such as banging pans, whistling and yelling.
Make yourself as large and imposing as possible, such as by standing on a picnic bench and slowly waving your arms.
If a black bear attacks, fight back aggressively, using everything in your power to deter the bear, including fists, rocks, sticks, etc.
It is unlawful to feed wildlife, including bears!
Let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return.
Read all signs at the trailhead and carry bear spray. Hike during daylight hours.
Hike in a group and keep children close at hand. Make plenty of noise.
Keep your pets leashed.
View or photograph bears from the trail or observation areas. Use binoculars, spotting scopes, or telephoto camera lens.
Maintain a safe distance. Remember: distance = safety.
If you see a bear in the distance, alter your route to avoid it.
If a black bear approaches you, don’t run or play dead. Never drop your pack or food.
Make noise, look large, slowly wave arms or jacket.
If the bear still does not leave, stay calm, continue facing it and slowly back away.
If a black bear charges or attacks, use bear spray and fight back aggressively, using everything in your power to deter the bear, including fists, rocks, sticks, etc.