The vast landscape of Yellowstone National Park offers unparalleled opportunities for visitors to observe wildlife in an intact ecosystem. The park is renowned for its diverse population of large mammals, from roaming bison to packs of wolves. Perhaps the most iconic animal found in Yellowstone is the grizzly bear.
Approximately 150-200 grizzly bears have home ranges wholly or partially within Yellowstone National Park. Females tend to keep their home ranges between 300 and 550 square miles throughout their lives, while males will range between 800–2,000 square miles. They’re easiest to spot at dawn and dusk in the Hayden and Lamar valleys, on the north slopes of Mount Washburn, and from Fishing Bridge to the East Entrance in Yellowstone.
Before 1970, the bears of Yellowstone often ate human food at park garbage dumps and were regularly fed by park staff and visitors. This behavior frequently led to injuries and fatalities for both bears and people, as well as significant property damage. In 1970 a new bear management plan was adopted, focused on protecting and maintaining natural populations of grizzly and black bears while keeping visitors safe.
Bears remain a common sight for tourists in Yellowstone, but feeding or approaching any wildlife is strictly prohibited. Visitors are encouraged to observe grizzlies from a safe distance. When wildlife causes traffic to stop, people are expected to remain in their vehicles. In the video below, several visitors failed to follow these guidelines as a grizzly family crossed the road in front of a large crowd.
Yellowstone National Park requires that visitors give all bears at least 100 yards of space at all times. That’s the length of about 8 standard school busses, far more than what’s given in this video. If a bear approaches or touches your car, the park asks that you honk your horn and drive away, helping to discourage the behavior. Read more on bear safety in Yellowstone 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. 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.
