Yellowstone National Park‘s 2.2 million acres provide a massive habitat for a range of unique wildlife but no animal is quite as well-loved as the iconic grizzly bear. Around 15-200 grizzlies live entirely within Yellowstone while an estimated 1,030 live in the surrounding greater Yellowstone Area.
These bears make for incredible viewing opportunities for visitors, most frequently showing up 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. Bears can sometimes be spotted foraging close to park roadways creating major traffic jams (often called “bear jams” or “wildlife jams”) as tourists slow down or stop their vehicles on the road. In these situations park staff generally directs traffic and works to ensure visitors maintain a safe viewing distance.
Unfortunately the park staff can’t always immediately show up on the scene of a bear jam and visitors wind up haphazardly parking their cars on the side of the road before getting too close to the grizzlies, creating a dangerous situation like the one in the clip below.
Yellowstone National Park requires that visitors give all bears at least 100 yards of space at all times. While the person filming this clip might be that far away, the tourists seen in the background appear to be far too close. Additionally Yellowstone asks that people use pullouts to watch wildlife so other vehicles can pass. The RV in this clip is quite clearly blocking traffic while the other vehicles are still in the way despite being pulled off the road. Stay with your vehicle if you encounter a wildlife jam. Read more on bear safety in Yellowstone National Park 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.
