When it comes to reliably observing wild grizzly bears in the lower 48 states, there is no better place than the 2.2 million acres of Yellowstone National Park. With 150–200 grizzlies with home ranges wholly or partially inside Yellowstone, they can be frequently seen throughout the park and create quite a commotion when spotted from the road.
These frenzied impromptu wildlife viewing bonanzas are known as “Bear Jams” and Yellowstone has special rules to govern the mass tourist gatherings and dedicated rangers who wear high visibility vests and are tasked to ensuring visitors and bears do not come in close contact.
The following video is a quintessential example of full on Yellowstone Bear Jam. With excitement in the air tourists were literally dashing up, down and across a road jockeying for prime position in the line up to snap photos of this mother grizzly and her four newborn cubs.
Yellowstone officials remind visitors that the safest (and often the best) way to view wildlife is from inside a vehicle. Motorists are encouraged to use designated pullouts to watch wildlife and to remain with their vehicles during wildlife jams. When outside a vehicle, visitors must stay at least 100 yards away from bears at all times and should never approach a bear for a photo. Learn more about grizzly bear safety at Yellowstone National Park below.
Yellowstone National Park Grizzly 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.
