Yellowstone — Humankind will never know what its like to wake up from 7 month hibernation but this grizzly bear in Yellowstone National Park offered a glimpse. After emerging from its winter den, the groggy bear shook off the cobwebs with a series of somersaults and leg stretches that would impress even the most dedicated yogi.
March 9th, 2026 marked the first official grizzly bear sighting at Yellowstone as biologists working in the northern part of the park spotted a grizzly bear who had emerged from hibernation to enjoy spring season. That bear was observed in the backcountry scavenging on a bull bison carcass.
Male grizzlies come out of hibernation in early March. Females with cubs emerge in April and early May. When grizzlies emerge from hibernation, they look for food and often feed on elk and bison that died over the winter. It’s important to remember that bears may react aggressively to encounters with people when feeding on carcasses.
Word to the wise: All of Yellowstone is grizzly and black bear country: from the deepest 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. Protect yourself and bears by following Yellowstone safety guidelines:
Yellowstone National Park Bear Safety Guidelines:
- Prepare for a bear encounter by carrying bear spray, knowing how to use it and making sure it’s accessible.
- Stay alert.
- Hike or ski in groups of three or more, stay on maintained trails and make noise. Avoid hiking at dusk, dawn or at night.
- Do not run if you encounter a bear.
- Stay 100 yards (91 m) away from black and grizzly bears. Approaching bears within 100 yards is prohibited. Use binoculars, a telescope or telephoto lens to get a closer look.
- Store food, garbage, barbecue grills and other attractants in hard-sided vehicles or bear-proof food storage boxes.
- Report bear sightings and encounters to a park ranger immediately.
