Exploring bear country means sharing space with some of North America's most powerful wildlife. Proper food storage isn't just a personal safety measure—it's part of protecting bears and preserving wild spaces for everyone.
Rules for bear-resistant containers continue to expand alongside conservation efforts. But figuring out where they're required can be tricky, often involving piecing together information from multiple park and trail websites.
This page pulls together two easy tools to help you quickly find the correct information:
1. Park Requirements List: Use the drop-down menu to check rules for your specific destination.
2. Trail Requirements List: Look up your route to see if you'll need a canister along the way.
While the map provides an excellent big-picture view of bear habitat and regulatory zones, always verify specific park or trail requirements through official sources before your trip.
Note: Carrying a bear-resistant canister when traveling near or within bear country is strongly recommended—even if your specific destination doesn't have a strict requirement.
National Park Bear Canister Requirements
Each park sets its own rules for food storage, and some require bear canisters year-round, while others only do so in specific zones or seasons.
This list covers many, but not all, national parks in the U.S. and Canada where bear canisters are required or strongly recommended.
If your park isn't listed here, do not assume there are no rules. Always check directly with the park's official website before your trip.
Big Bend National Park (TX)
Required when caching food/water or camping away from bear lockers.
Bryce Canyon National Park (UT)
Approved canisters are required for all overnight backcountry trips.
Canyonlands National Park (UT)
Required in Salt Creek designated campsites & The Needles backcountry (Mar 15 – Nov 30).
Crater Lake National Park (OR)
Bear canisters are one of the mandated food storage methods.
Denali National Park (AK)
Required in most backcountry units (1–21 and 23–43).
Gates of the Arctic National Park (AK)
Required throughout the park.
Glacier National Park (MT)
Required in Nyack/Coal Creek zones; recommended elsewhere.
Glacier Bay National Park (AK)
A mandate of safe food storage techniques exists. Bear-resistant containers are one of the required food storage methods.
Grand Teton National Park (WY)
Required for all backcountry overnight stays.
Great Sand Dunes National Park (CO)
In backcountry areas, outside of the dunes backcountry, Great Sand Dunes National Park mandates safe food storage techniques. A bear-resistant container is one of the required storage methods.
Isle Royale National Park (MI)
Isle Royale requires the use of IGBC-approved products in backcountry areas.
Katmai National Park (AK)
Hard-sided canisters are required in all wilderness areas.
Kenai Fjords National Park (AK)
Required throughout the park.
Kings Canyon National Park (CA)
Required in designated backcountry zones (May 1 – Oct 31).
Kobuk Valley National Park (AK)
Required throughout the park.
Lake Clark National Park (AK)
Required within ½ mile of the coastline of Cook Inlet, including Chinitna Bay and Silver Salmon Creek, and within ½ mile of the shoreline of Telaquana Lake, Crescent Lake, Turquoise Lake, Upper Twin Lake, Lower Twin Lake, Tazimina Lake, and Kontrashibuna Lake.
Lassen Volcanic National Park (CA)
Required Apr 15 – Dec 1 in the backcountry.
Mount Rainier National Park (WA)
Required off-season when bear poles are removed.
North Cascades National Park (WA)
Required in certain wilderness and cross-country zones.
Olympic National Park (WA)
As of 2026, Olympic National Park has updated its food storage requirements, requiring all food and scented items to be stored in an Animal Resistant Food Container in all wilderness areas of the park.
Olympic National Park keeps its own list of approved canisters. The BV425, BV450, BV475, & BV500 are on that list.
Redwood National and State Parks (CA)
Dispersed camping in Redwood Creek requires proper food storage—canisters recommended.
Rocky Mountain National Park (CO)
Overnight wilderness backpackers in Rocky Mountain National Park are required to secure all food items, scented items, and garbage inside a hard-sided, commercially made carry-in/carry-out bear-resistant food storage canister. This is required for RMNP wilderness areas due to recurring wildlife incidents.
Other methods of food storage are not permitted in the park’s wilderness at this time.
Sequioa National Park (CA)
Required in designated backcountry zones (May 1 – Oct 31).
Wrangell - St. Elias National Park (AK)
Required throughout the park.
Yosemite National Park (CA)
Required park-wide for all overnight backcountry travel—specific model restrictions apply.
The BV500 & BV450 are approved.
Bear Canister Requirement by Trail
Long-distance and popular hiking trails often cross multiple land management areas, each with its own bear canister rules. This list highlights some of the major trails in the U.S. where bear canisters are either required or strongly recommended.
If your trail or route isn't listed here, don't assume there are no requirements. Carry a bear-resistant container and check regulations for all areas you will pass through.
Tip: Regulations can vary widely even within a single trail corridor; carrying an IGBC-approved canister covers most requirements and adds peace of mind on your journey.
Pacific Crest Trail
Bear canisters are required in many wilderness sections of California, Oregon, and Washington. Hanging food is rarely effective or permitted in key areas. Recommended for all thru-hikers.
From the PCTA: “The trees up on the crest almost never have a branch structure that makes this [Hanging Food] realistic. This means that people on the PCT will need to carry a canister to comply with the new food storage order – it’s just the right thing to do, and it’s usually easier than trying to set up a good food hang.”
Bear Canister Zones
Inyo National Forest
Bear Resistant Containers are required in the Bishop Pass Area, Cottonwood Lakes Basin/Cottonwood Pass Area, Duck Pass/Purple Lake Area, Fish Creek Area, Kearsarge Pass Area, Little Lakes Valley Area, Mammoth Lakes/Rush Creek Area, and Mount Whitney Area. Containers are strongly recommended in all other areas.
Sequioa and Kings Canyon National Parks
Bear Resistant Containers are required in the Dusy Basin, Rae Lakes.
Sierra National Forest
Either the counter balance method or Bear Resistant Containers must be used throughout the forest, but the forest highly recommends and rents Bear Resistant Containers.
Yosemite National Park
Bear-resistant containers are required for overnight hiking in the park.
Desolation Wilderness
Hard-sided bear-resistant containers are required in the wilderness area.
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Bear-resistant containers are required throughout the park from April 15th to December 1st.
Crater Lake National Park
All food must be stored in a bear resistant manner.
North Cascades National Park
Certain backcountry areas off of the PCT do require bear canisters. If leaving the trail, check the NPS website for details.
Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
All food must be stored in a bear-resistant manner.
—> More Info
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
All food must be stored in a bear-resistant manner. Together with the Mt. Baker Snoqualmie National Forest, this means food must be stored properly from mi 2277-2652.
Appalachian Trail
Bear Cansiters are strongly recommended along the entire trail. Required in specific National Forest areas, including Chattahoochee-Oconee, Nantahala, Pisgah, George Washington & Jefferson, and Cherokee.
Additional USFS Requirements
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest
Bear-resistant canisters are required on the Appalachian Trail between Jarrard Gap and Neels Gap.
Nahantala National Forest & Pisgah National Forest
Bear resistant containers are required in the Shining Rock Wilderness, Graveyard Fields Vicinity, Black Balsam Vicinity, and Sam’s Knob/Flat Laurel Creek Vicinity. Proper food storage is required in all other areas.
Appalachian Trail Southern Forest Service Region
All food must be properly stored if traveling within 1,000ft of the Appalachian trail.
George Washington and Jefferson National Forest
All food must be stored in a bear resistant manner.
Cherokee National Forest
All food must be stored in a bear-resistant manner.
Green Mountain National Forest
All food must be stored in a bear-resistant manner.
Continental Divide Trail
Bear Canisters are required in national parks and several national forests along the route, including San Juan, Gunnison, White River, Bridger-Teton, and Yellowstone.
Key Requirement Areas on the CDT
San Juan National Forest
All food must be stored in a bear-resistant manner.
Gunnison National Forest
If you are staying in a developed campsite, food must be stored in a bear-resistant manner.
White River National Forest
All food must be stored in a bear-resistant manner.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Bear-resistant containers are required below the tree line between April 1st and October 31st.
Bridger-Teton National Forest
bear-resistantAll food must be stored in a bear resistant manner.
Yellowstone National Park
All food must be stored in a bear-resistant manner.
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
All food must be stored in a bear-resistant manner.
Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest
All food must be stored in a bear-resistant manner.
Flathead National Forest
All food must be stored in a bear-resistant manner.
Glacier National Park
All food must be stored in a bear resistant manner.
Why Bear Canisters Matter
Bear canister rules exist for one reason: to prevent bears from linking humans with an easy meal.
When bears gain access to human food, whether from a backpack, tent, or cooler, it sets off a dangerous chain reaction:
- They return to the same spot or behavior, expecting more food.
- Encounters become more frequent and bolder.
- Bears may become aggressive, risking injury to people.
- In many cases, these food conditioned have to be relocated or killed.
Human–bear conflict rarely starts as a crisis, but once it escalates, solutions are limited. In backcountry areas without strict food storage rules, incidents are rising. Your best defense is prevention:
- Use a certified bear-resistant container, even where it's "only" recommended.
- Keep all scented items inside it: food, toiletries, trash.
- Place your closed canister at least 70 big steps from your camp while sleeping.
