Heading into the backcountry is a rewarding experience, and sharing the landscape with bears is a vital part of that journey. While it is natural to feel cautious, bears should be respected rather than feared. True confidence comes from understanding bear behavior and knowing how to move through their habitat responsibly.
The most critical component of bear safety is prevention. By making smart, proactive choices, such as properly storing food and maintaining a clean campsite, we eliminate the potential for conflict before it ever begins. These habits are the foundation of a successful trip. When we prioritize these measures, we aren't just protecting our own adventure; we are ensuring that bears remain wild and healthy. Safety is a shared responsibility that allows us to coexist in the places we love to explore.
Prevent Bear Encounters Before They Happen
Effective bear safety begins long before you are face-to-face with a bear. With smart choices, you can stop a dangerous encounter before it starts.
What you do on trail can minimize the chance of a bear being attracted to your presence or startling a bear. By focusing on proactive habits, you help ensure bear encounters are memorable for the right reasons and at a safe distance. This approach protects you and preserves the bear’s wild nature, keeping the backcountry safe for everyone.
Preventing Encounters on Trail
Bears travel along and near trails just like we do. Safety on trail starts with identifying high-risk situations and avoiding startling bears.
Hike in Groups
Hike in groups! Bears tend to be wary of groups compared to solo hikers. Bringing a few like-minded adventurers with you will encourage bears to keep their distance. Data show that groups of two or more are substantially less likely to have a negative experience with a bear.
Some areas require groups of 3-4 people.
Make Noise When Traveling in Vegetation
Simply talking in your regular human voice is enough to alert bears to your presence. This tactic helps avoid startling a bear, which can trigger defensive behavior. This is especially important in dense vegetation where a bear may not see you coming.
Skip the music speaker and bear bells, a trail conversation and an occasional “Hey Bear!” are more effective. Bears want to avoid humans.
Stay Alert at Dawn and Dusk
While bears can be active at all times, dawn and dusk are known to be peak activity times for bears
Red Flags To Watch Out For
Some signs of bear activity require higher vigilance than others.
- Red Flags: If you see an animal carcass, scavenger birds around the area, or freshly shredded/scattered trash — do not investigate up close. Instead, leave the area and make noise.
- Yellow Flags: Other common signs of bear activity that confirm you are in bear habitat include: Scat, paw prints, fresh scratch marks on trees, and shredded/overturned logs.
Other areas to be more alert include thick vegetation, meadow and field edges, and water sources.
Never Harass Bears
Startling, feeding, approaching, petting, and any other action that mistreats the wild nature of bears is very hazardous and threatens your safety and the safety of visitors who come after you.
Preventing Encounters at Camp
While backpacking, preventing a dangerous bear encounter at your campsite starts with selecting a safe campsite and continues with responsible practices for odor and food storage.
Selecting the Best Campsite
When searching for a campsite, choose areas away from forest lines, thick vegetation, berry bushes, and water (creeks, lakes, rivers). Always look for signs of bears like scat, prints, wildlife paths, and shredded dead wood.
NEVER camp in a campsite with scattered trash, or evidence of animal carcasses or an abundance of scavenger animals.
It’s worth it to hike a bit further to a different campsite to avoid an unexpected bear encounter.
Don’t Leave Your Bear Can in Your Backpack
When you arrive at camp, remove your bear canister from your pack before setting up tents or walking away from your backpack. A backpack is easy for a bear to drag away.
The Food Storage Triangle
Select a campsite where you can create a triangle with at least 70 big steps between the places where you sleep, cook and eat, and store your bear canister at night. This separation is very important.
Stay Alert When Cooking
Cooking creates odors that may attract opportunistic bears. Remove the food you need to cook from your canister and fully close and lock the canister while cooking & eating (it makes a great stool or table).
Always keep the canister closed if it is beyond arms reach. Never cook in or near your tent.
Heading to Bed and Storing Food
Before turning in for the night, make sure all smellables are properly stored in your BearVault at least 70 big steps away from your campsite, and make sure your camp is free of trash and food scraps. Bring bear spray or other deterrents with you in your tent for the night.
- What are smellables? A smellable is anything that has a strong odor. Smellable examples include: toothpaste, deodorant, all toiletries, including medications, food items, chapstick. Generally, anything you would put on your skin or in your mouth.
For a complete guide to keeping bears away from your campsite, check out:
What To Do if You Encounter a Bear
In mainstream media, the potential for bear encounters is often painted as an unpredictable and dangerous event. In reality, learning how bears communicate, how they behave, and what may cause them to act defensively are ways you can master facts over fear.
In any encounter, your behavior matters. Bears will respond to your actions. Both grizzly and black bears pose a risk — the bear's behavior should determine your response, not the species.
Unengaged Bear
An unengaged bear does not see you or does not change its behavior based on your presence. Keep a safe distance. If you cannot fully extend your arm and visually cover the entire bear with your thumb, you are too close. There is no need to yell, shout, or disturb the bear. Give the bear plenty of space to move along, or go another way.
If you see one bear, there may be other bears or cubs nearby, so stay aware of your surroundings. Do not try to get closer for a photograph. NEVER RUN!
Defensive Bear
Defensive bear attacks are the most common. These bears feel threatened and are trying to protect themselves or their cubs.
Signs of defensive bear behavior include: huffing, jaws clacking, head swaying back and forth, bellowing, swatting the ground, hopping forward, and/or drooling.
— Step 1: Pause, prepare your bear spray, and speak calmly until the bear moves away. Ultimately, your goal is to create space between you and the bear to de-escalate the situation. You don’t want to aggravate a bear that already feels threatened. You also don’t want to appear scared or run away. If the bear retreats, back away slowly. Do not turn your back to the bear, and don’t walk backwards and trip. Instead, step sideways carefully.
— Step 2: If a bear charges you or appears ready to charge:
a. NEVER RUN
b. Stand your ground, get your group together, and keep talking to the bear
c. If it charges, use your bear spray
d. Bluff charges are common
— Step 3: If the bear is undoubtedly going to make contact with you and is not bluff-charging, cover your neck and head as much as possible with your hands while lying face down on the ground. Spread your legs and keep your pack on. Don’t yell or cry out. If the bear flips you over, roll back to your stomach to protect vital organs. Do not get up until you are positive that the bear has left the area.
- If you are somewhere with both black bears and grizzly bears, play dead in this defensive encounter. If there is absolutely no possibility of the bear being a grizzly, do not play dead and instead fight back.
Curious Bear
Bears are naturally curious, but allowing a bear to come too close to you or your food is dangerous.
Curious bears openly approach without the stressed behaviors that are common with defensive bears. This behavior may have several causes. Bears may be food conditioned to casually or boldly seek human food, habituated and too comfortable around humans, or even a very curious bear that is not as shy as most bears.
NEVER RUN. Stand your ground. Be aggressive - throw rocks and objects, yell loudly, and use bear spray if the bear gets within range. If the bear makes aggressive physical contact, fight back with all means available.
Predatory Bear
While rare, bears sometimes exhibit predatory behavior toward humans. This behavior does not exhibit any stressed & defensive behaviors. Instead, these bears approach with focus, slowly and steadily. A predatory bear may circle or follow you. The bear will look right at you with its ears forward and up.
If a bear enters your tent while you are sleeping, treat it as a predatory bear. Be aggressive - throw rocks and objects, yell loudly, and use bear spray if the bear gets within range. If the bear makes physical contact, fight back using all available means.
Bear Spray: What It Is & How to Use It
Simple protection. Smart prevention.
Bear spray is a highly effective, non-lethal deterrent designed for aggressive or charging bears. Unlike everyday pepper spray, bear spray contains a higher concentration of capsaicinoids. It disperses in a wide, powerful cloud that can stop a bear in its tracks without causing permanent harm.
When used correctly, bear spray is over 90% effective at deterring bear attacks. But it’s important to know when and how to use it.
- Range: ~30 feet
- Duration: 5–9 seconds of continuous spray
- Strength: 2% capsaicin (strongest allowed by law)
- Purpose: Create a barrier, not hit a target
Carry it where it’s easy to reach, know how it works, and practice using it before you head out. Remember, bear spray is not like bug spray—it is not a preventive tool, it is a non-lethal defensive weapon.
Taking Safety a Step Further
The best approach to bear safety begins with three essentials: knowing how bears behave, carrying the proper equipment, and being aware of your surroundings.
These pillars work together to keep both people and bears safe.
Know Before You Go
Knowledge
Understanding how bears live, move, and behave provides the necessary context to make informed decisions in bear country.
—> Bear 101
Carry What Counts
Gear
Approved, bear-resistant gear like canisters keeps bears wild and you safe. The right tools prevent encounters before they start.
—> Find Your BearVault Size
Stay Present, Stay Smart
Awareness
Make noise, scan for signs of recent bear activity, and never assume you’re alone.
—> What to Do If You See a Bear
Equipment FAQ
Locking Food Up
Avoiding bear invasion of your space includes stashing food and trash in bear-resistant containers. It is required in some locations for hikers and backpackers to store their food in air-tight bear-resistant containers. Hikers and campers alike should always use bear-proof containers (at a minimum, campers should keep their food and trash in the trunk of their vehicle).
Using a bear-resistant container is a smart way to protect not just your food but bears as well.
To Hang or Not to Hang?
There are multiple issues with hanging your food in a bag from a tree, typically called a “bear hang”. We highlight some word of wisdom from Andrew Skurka’s article, Ineffective & Outdated: Six Reasons to Not Hang a Bear Bag. In this article, he states that a bear hang is an improvised system of cord, sacks (or bags), and sometimes carabiners and pulleys used to suspend food in a tree, primarily to protect it from black bears, as well as from rodents (especially in high-use campsites) and grizzly bears (in select areas only). Bear hangs are less effective, less foolproof, less reliable, less efficient, and less safe than bear-resistant canisters.
Skurka goes on to express that sometimes, it is simply impossible to get a good bear hang as it is recommended that the bag is positioned 12-feet off the ground, 5-feet away from the trunk, and about 5-feet below the closest limb. In addition, if you are hiking above tree line or in arid areas, there will be no trees available. Regardless, achieving a good bear hang takes lots of practice to do it correctly; so why risk it if you are not proficient. Besides, bear hangs are rarely effective against a hungry and determined bear.
Bear Spray: Do I Need It?
Yes.
Proactive safety is essential in bear country. To minimize risk, avoid hiking alone, make noise to prevent surprises, and maintain at least 70 big steps between your kitchen and your tent. It is a fundamental rule of the trail: you cannot outrun or outclimb a bear. Their speed and agility far exceed human limits, making preventative behavior your primary defense.
While encounters are statistically rare, carrying a deterrent like bear spray is standard best practice. Bear spray provides a high-potency, non-lethal boundary when a bear approaches too closely. Using a concentrated dose of capsaicin, it causes temporary respiratory and ocular irritation, effectively halting an encounter without causing long-term harm. For the most reliable protection, always select a canister containing 2% capsaicin—the maximum strength allowed by law.
Bear Spray: How Do I Prepare?
It is recommended to always practice for real-world situations. Put on your backpack and bear spray canister. Imagine seeing a bear in the distance. Position yourself upwind, pull the spray canister from its holder, and be ready to pull the trigger. Practice until all the movements and thought processes are second nature! Remember to always consider the wind direction to avoid having the bear spray inadvertently blow back at your face.
Each canister of bear spray will specify the range from which it should be fired. Some products deliver a strong, consistent spray up to 40 feet. Continue spraying until the bear leaves or the canister is empty.
In the unfortunate event that you must use this deterrent, aim for the face as closely as possible, targeting the nose and eyes. Most bears retreat when hit with the spray, but that does not mean they have left the area. Therefore, do not stick around. Leave as quickly as possible in a direction opposite to where the bear went.
Bear Spray: Shelf Life & Storage
Check the shelf life of your bear spray to ensure that it has not expired. Keep your bear spray fresh and store it according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Check for information on product performance variation in extreme temperatures as well.
Bear Spray: What if I Get Sprayed?
Checking the wind direction before spraying helps prevent accidental exposure to the spray.
The following protocol should be used in cases of accidental exposure.
- IN THE EYES. Hold eye open and rinse slowly and gently with cold water for 15 – 20 minutes. People who wear contact lenses should remove the lenses after rinsing the eyes for 5 minutes. After removing contacts, continue rinsing the eyes for 15 – 20 minutes.
- ON THE SKIN OR CLOTHING. Take off contaminated clothing. Rinse the skin immediately with cold water for 15–20 minutes or longer. A non-oil-based soap or detergent (e.g., Dawn Dish Soap) can be used to remove bear spray from the skin. Pat dry with a cloth towel. Do Not Rub! Do not apply lotion, salve, or cream to the affected areas, as these can trap bear pepper spray against the skin. A wet towel or ice pack may be used on the affected areas to reduce inflammation.
- IF INHALED. Move away from bear spray to an area of fresh air as soon as possible.
- IF INGESTED. Do not induce vomiting.
- POST EXPOSURE MONITORING. All effects should dissipate within 45 minutes. The individual should be closely observed for symptoms of physical distress (chest pain, cold sweat, or shallow breathing). Asthma sufferers may experience acute stress. If anything other than a normal reaction occurs, or the symptoms persist for more than 45 minutes, seek medical attention or call for help immediately.
As a final safety tip, remember to keep upwind and to always keep the safety tab on the trigger until the need to spray is clear and certain.
Bear Bells
Bear bells may be a popular item to put on your backpack, but according to theNational Park Service typically do not effectively warn a bear you are in the area. There is a chance that bears will not hear the bells until you are too close. Yelling, clapping, and talking are more effective ways of alerting a bear to your presence.
Does What I Wear Matter?
While bears may be curious about your neon onesie, your bigger focus should be on food odors on your clothes. If you spill food all down your pants, they shouldn’t come in the tent.
In the fall, during hyperphagia, it is recommended that you do not sleep in the clothes you cooked in or bring those clothes into the tent.
Scenario FAQ
On Trail: Pay Attention
The first rule of thumb on the trail is to always be alert, always be aware, and always be on the lookout for bears. Awareness is your first line of safety. This means keeping a lookout for signs of bear activity.
At Camp: Be Intentional
Take your canister out of your pack when you stop to camp. We have seen a bear drag an entire backpack away from camp only minutes after the hiker removed his pack.
Store your food properly at least 70 big steps from camp. Sleep, cook, and store your food in bear-proof containers (bear-resistant containers) at least 70 big steps away from where you are camping. It is also important to note that bear-resistant containers are nearly 100% bear-proof.
Cooking & Cleaning. Food choices that create significant messes and are difficult to clean up are not ideal. Carefully choose where to drain cooking water and discard scraps.
Scented Items: Bears are attracted to scented items. Consider this when brushing your teeth, spitting on the ground, applying sunscreen, and chewing candy, gum, or mints.
Surprising a Bear
Bears are even more unpredictable when taken by surprise. If you notice a bear before it notices you, back away slowly and calmly, while keeping an eye on the bear. NEVER EVER approach a bear that does not see you.
Making noise on the trail can alert a bear to your presence before you have the chance to surprise it. Talk to your partners and occasionally sing loudly, yell “hello” or “whoop! whoop!” and clap your hands loudly to let any bears know you’re coming. Make extra noise when you are close to loud natural features, such as rivers, streams, and on windy days. Also make lots of noise when approaching features that make it hard for a bear to see you (such as a crest in the trail or a blind corner).
—> BearWise has more tips on what to do if you encounter a bear.
Solo Hiking & Trail Running
Trail running in bear territory can increase your odds of a dangerous bear encounter. Runners have surprised bears and provoked a negative reaction.
Hiking in a group will decrease your chances of surprising a bear. A group of two or more hikers is preferred as bears will be able to see, hear, and smell you more easily. Hiking in a group also increases the odds at least one person will be alert and notice a bear before a surprise encounter.
Mothers & Cubs
Watch out for mothers with cubs. If you happen to see a cub, cautiously leave the area and do not approach. Their mothers are very protective and are likely nearby. If you happen to find yourself between a mother and its cubs, slowly back away in a non-threatening manner, and calmly reposition yourself while keeping your eyes on the mother bear.
Knowledge FAQ
Black Bears vs. Grizzly Bears
Visit our About Bears page to learn about the differences between these species.
Research Your Destination
Before leaving, take time to familiarize yourself with the types of bears found in the area. At times, wildlife authorities will post signs warning of bears that frequent specific areas, but you cannot always rely on them. Once again, it is best to research the area and know what to expect before you leave home.
Check with Park Officials
Check with the wildlife or park authorities in the area you plan to explore. They will be able to give you advance notice of any specific local area that you should increase your preparedness or avoid altogether. Call and see what conditions the seasons may have created. Ask questions such as: Are the bears going to stop hibernating early? Will they wake hungrier than expected? What is the condition of the food resource? What is the history of encounters in the area? Are there any recent wildlife conflicts? And where in the area do the bears find their food? The questions you ask should vary based on the time of year you are adventuring.
National Park Service Rangers are extremely knowledgeable about many of these questions, including such details as the territory that sows and cubs are roaming in, and more. Checking with the Rangers is a smart, invaluable step toward preparing for your adventure and overall bear experience.