Black bears are common in Yellowstone National Park, most often spotted in the northern range and the Bechler area. They have few natural predators, though both cubs and adults might be killed by their own kind or by wolves, cougars, and grizzly bears when they compete for food.
Black bears are considered true hibernators, spending late summer and fall consuming large amounts of food to build up fat reserves before locating or excavating a den. In Yellowstone, they create their dens on north-facing slopes between 5,800–8,600 feet. They’ll remain there in hibernation until late March or April.
Black bears typically mate in June and July with adult females breeding every other year. Their gestation period is 225 days, with a litter of 1-6 cubs being born around January or February in the den. Black bear cubs will leave the den with their mother and remain with her until the following spring.
Despite the robust bear population in Yellowstone, spotting one emerging from hibernation is considered a once in a lifetime opportunity. Jackson Hole EcoTour Adventures Naturalist Billy Fabian became one of the few to watch one of these moments in person, capturing it on camera. If you watch until the end of the video, you’ll see that the emerging black bear had a few cubs with her as well.
Hibernation behaviors in bears are connected to cold temperatures. Warming winters are disrupting their typical hibernation schedule, with research showing that black bears stay awake an additional six days on average for every 1°C (1.8°F) increase in regional winter temperatures. That’s likely why Billy Fabian was able to capture the above video in early March rather than late March or April when Yellowstone’s black bears typically leave hibernation.
Billy filmed the video with a SWAROVSKI OPTIK Outdoor spotting scope, keeping plenty of distance between himself and the bear. Both grizzly bears and black bears should always be given at least 100 yards (300 feet) of space at all times in Yellowstone National Park. Visitors to the park should always carry a can of bear spray in an accessible location and know how to use it in case of an encounter. Read more on bear safety below.
Yellowstone National Park Bear Safety:
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.
