Yosemite National Park is comprised of nearly 1,200 square miles of stunning wilderness which is home to an estimated 300-500 black bears. Black bears are the only species of bears in the entire state of California since grizzlies were fully extirpated in the the 1920s (last known California grizzly shot outside Yosemite).
Park managers are constantly working to protect the American black bear in Yosemite National Park to ensure a continued healthy existence for future generations of visitors to see in person. Improperly stored food and tourists getting too close can cause bears to become habituated, putting both humans and bears at risk. To discourage bears from approaching the public rangers use various hazing tactics to engrain negative associations with human contact. This includes non-lethal aversion tools like bear spray and shotgun bean bag rounds.
The following video recorded on April 15th, 2025, along El Capitan Drive, shows a park ranger expertly hazing a black bear family using verbal commands alone. The ranger did have a shotgun loaded with non-lethal deterrents but her voice alone sufficed in scaring off the bears.
To aid in Yosemite National Park rangers’ diligent work to keep bears and visitors at a safe distance, they ask the public to follow simple guidelines to ensure their own safety. First and foremost of these rules is to maintain a minimal radius of 50 yards away from bears at all times.
Another important step to help prevent the habituation of black bears is proper food storage. This includes any item that might have a sent like trash, soaps, or cosmetics. Failure to properly store your food in the park can result in a fine of up to $5,000 and/or removal from your campsite or lodging facility. Read more on bear safety in Yosemite below.
Yosemite National Park Bear Safety:
How to Store Your Food
Cars, Trucks, and RVs
During daylight hours only, you may store food inside your car or truck (out of sight, with windows completely closed).
Do not leave food in a pickup truck bed or strapped to the outside of a vehicle at any time.
Do not store food in your car (including trunk) or truck after dark: use a food locker. Remember to clear your car of food wrappers, crumbs in baby seats, and baby wipes–and even canned food and drinks. Think about packing all your food and related items together for easy removal from your car upon arriving in Yosemite.
Food lockers are available at Curry Village parking lots and at nearly all trailhead parking areas.
You may store food out of sight in hard-sided trailers and RVs, as long as windows, doors, and vents are closed when you’re not there. Hard-sided RVs are those made entirely of solid, non-pliable material (e.g., no cloth pop-outs) Food may not be stored in pop-up or tent trailers, or other soft-sided campers.
Campgrounds, Housekeeping Camp, and Curry Village Tent Cabins
You must store all your food in food lockers. Bears may enter campsites even in your presence (see photo above), and some will even check lockers to see if they’re latched.
- Keep your locker closed and latched at all times, just like you would a freezer.
- Only have the food out that you are actually using; if you’re not using it, put it back into the food locker.
- Treat your trash and recycling like food: keep it in your food locker or dispose of it in a bear-proof dumpster; do not leave it sitting out.
Food lockers are available at every campsite, Housekeeping unit, and Curry Village tent cabin.
You may store food out of sight in hard-sided trailers and RVs, as long as windows, doors, and vents are closed when you’re not there. Hard-sided RVs are those made entirely of solid, non-pliable material (e.g., no cloth pop-outs) Food may not be stored in pop-up or tent trailers, or other soft-sided campers.
Hotel Rooms and Cabins
You must keep all food inside your room; if you are not in the room, the windows and doors must be closed. Bears can easily break into cabins through an open door or open window.
Picnicking and Hiking
Always keep your food within arm’s reach and don’t turn your back to your food; never leave food unattended. Bears may investigate picnic areas or backpacks for food even in your presence, so be alert.
Backpacking in the Wilderness
Bear resistant food containers (“bear canisters”) are required for overnight hikers throughout the wilderness (counterbalance food hangs are no longer legal). In Yosemite and the southern Sierra, bear canisters are the only effective and proven method of preventing bears from getting human food.
Bear Encounters
If you see a bear outside of developed areas, keep your distance: Remain at least 50 yards (four shuttle bus lengths).
If you see a bear in a developed area or if a bear approaches you, scare it away by yelling very loudly and aggressively.
Find out more about what to do if you see a bear.
