All of Yellowstone National Park is grizzly bear country, with approximately 150-200 living entirely inside the park and around 965 living in the greater area. Both the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and northwest Montana are the only areas south of Canada that continue to have large grizzly bear populations.
Bear activity decreases during the winter months but bears don’t go completely inactive during this period, and while visitors might have a harder time spotting a Yellowstone grizzly bear during the winter, the U.S. Department of the Interior reminds us that it’s possible to see one any time of year.
Additionally, just because bear behavior is limited during the winter does not mean that the animals are suddenly less dangerous. Yellowstone National Park requires that visitors give grizzly bears at least 100 (300 feet) of space at all time, in addition to carrying bear spray and knowing how to use it. Read more on bear safety in Yellowstone below.
Yellowstone National Park Bear Safety Guidelines:
All of Yellowstone is bear country, from the trails in the park’s backcountry to the boardwalks and parking lots around Old Faithful. Your safety cannot be guaranteed, but you can play an active role in protecting yourself and the bears people come here to enjoy.
- Give bears space. Keep at least 100 yards (93 meters) from bears at all times and never approach a bear to take a photo.
- Carry bear spray and know how to use it. We recommend each person carry one can of bear spray in a readily accessible location like a quick-draw holster (not stowed away in your backpack).
- Hike in groups and make noise. Since 1970,91% of the people injured by bears in Yellowstone were hiking alone or with only one hiking partner. Only 9% of the people injured by bears were in groups of three or more people. While hiking on a trail, periodically yell “Hey bear!” to alert bears of your presence. Learn more about backcountry safety.
- Respect closures. Do not travel in areas closed for bear management.
- Never feed bears. Bears that become dependent on human food may become aggressive toward people and will be killed.
- Stay with your stuff. Do not leave packs or bags containing food unattended, even for a few minutes, as bears learn new food sources quickly.
- If a bear approaches or touches your car, honk your horn and drive away. We want to discourage this behavior for the bears’ safety and yours.
- Help us spread the word! Share posters from our “A Bear Doesn’t Care” campaign.
If you’re involved in a conflict with a bear, regardless of how minor, contact us or report it to a park ranger as soon as possible. If cell service is available, dial 911. The lives of other people, and the bear, may depend on it.