Yellowstone National Park, the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and Northwest Montana are home to one of the only large grizzly bear populations south of Canada. Yellowstone National Park alone has around 150–200 grizzly bears living entirely or partially inside its boundaries.
Grizzlies can be found throughout the entirety of Yellowstone National Park, ranging from remote backcountry trails to parking lots around the park’s famous hydrothermal features. Tourists can lulled into a false sense of security when exploring areas of the park surrounded by manmade infrastructure but make no mistake about it, all of Yellowstone is grizzly country. Such was the case exactly 16 years ago when a grizzly bear wreaked havoc while running through the Old Faithful area chasing a group of bison. Thankfully a park ranger was on the scene and was able to keep the visitors calm as the pursuit unfolded.
Park officials rely on visitors to follow simple guidelines to keep themselves safe from the resident grizzly population. The foremost rule is to never approach grizzly bears and to always stay at least 100 yards (300 feet) from both bears and wolves. Read more on bear safety in Yellowstone National Park 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. Observe all closures and restrictions in active bear management areas.
- 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.
