Nicknamed the “Crown of the Continent”, Glacier National Park provides visitors with over 700 miles of trails through and around carved valleys, alpine meadows, melting glaciers, and stunning lakes. Historic lodges, chalets, and the remarkable Going-to-the-Sun Road allow guests to experience the park’s wonders, from it’s geology to abundant wildlife.
Glacier National Park is home to 71 species of mammals, ranging from the tiny pygmy shrew, which weighs just about the same as a dime, to the massive elk, which weighs upwards of 500 pounds. The park’s early protection (it was designated in 1910) and vast amount of space (over 1 million acres) have allowed the area’s ecosystem to stay intact and rather undisturbed. The surrounding area, including national forests, Wilderness Areas, and Canadian protected lands, provide ample land for wide-ranging animals like grizzly bears to roam freely.
Both black bears and grizzly bears live in Glacier National Park, but grizzly bears are easily the most famous. An estimated 300 grizzlies live within the park, taking advantage of the abundant food sources, hibernating in the high country, and, as seen in the video below, enjoying a bit of sledding on the glaciers.
Grizzly bears are known to engage in play, especially when they’re young, but that doesn’t mean they’re safe to approach while doing so. Glacier National Park requires visitors give all bears at least 100 yards of space at all times. Intentionally approaching, viewing, or engaging in any activity within 100 yards of bears or wolves is prohibited inside the park. Read more on bear safety below.
Glacier National Park Bear Encounter Guidelines:
If you encounter a bear inside the minimum recommended safe distance (100 yards; 91 m), you can decrease your risk by following these guidelines:
- If a bear or other animal is moving in your direction on a trail, get out of its way and let it pass.
- If you can move away, do so. If moving away appears to agitate the bear, stop. In general, bears show agitation by swaying their heads, huffing, and clacking their teeth. Lowered head and laid-back ears also indicate aggression. Bears may stand on their hind legs or approach to get a better view, but these actions are not necessarily signs of aggression. The bear may not have identified you as a person and may be unable to smell or hear you from a distance. Help the bear recognize you as a friendly human.
- Talk quietly.
- Do not run! Back away slowly. Stop if it seems to agitate the bear.
- Use your peripheral vision. Bears may interpret direct eye contact as threatening.
- Continue to move away as the situation allows.
- If a bear appears intent on approaching you, your group, or your campsite in a non-defensive manner (not showing signs of agitation), gather your group together, make noise, and try to discourage the bear from further approaching. Prepare to deploy your bear spray. If you are preparing or consuming food, secure it. DO NOT LET THE BEAR GET YOUR FOOD!
- If a bear approaches in a defensive manner (appears agitated and/or charges), stop. Do not run. Talk quietly to the bear. Prepare to deploy your bear spray. If contact appears imminent and you do not have bear spray, protect your chest and abdomen by falling to the ground on your stomach, clasp your hands around the back of your neck, and leave your pack on for protection. If the bear attempts to roll you over, try to stay on your stomach. If the attack is defensive, the bear will leave once it recognizes you are not a threat. If the attack is prolonged, FIGHT BACK!
For more detailed information, watch our Bear Safety video.
