Spanning across 2.2 million acres, Yellowstone National Park is one of North America’s premier wildlife destinations, home to an impressive range of mammals. Among the park’s many draws, few capture visitors’ imaginations quite like the chance to glimpse a wild grizzly bear in its natural habitat.
The park itself supports an estimated 150–200 grizzlies within its boundaries, while the broader Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is home to a population of roughly 1,030. Though bears can turn up virtually anywhere across the park’s vast terrain, the best odds tend to favor early mornings and evenings in the Hayden and Lamar valleys, the north-facing slopes of Mount Washburn, and the stretch of road running from Fishing Bridge to the East Entrance.
Photography, whether it’s professional or amateur, is very popular at every U.S. National Park, but Yellowstone is among the most photographed in the country. It’s important to remember, however, that just because you have high-end camera gear does not mean you get to ignore park rules. This photographer, filmed by Cam Harvey, is a great example of what not to do, allowing a grizzly family to approach far too close without much urgency in getting out of the area.
This certainly isn’t the worst thing we’ve ever seen, but it’s still a great reminder of proper wildlife safety in Yellowstone National Park. All bears, wolves, and mountain lions should be given at least 100 yards of space at all times. That’s the distance of about 8 standard-sized busses, far more space than what this photographer is giving these animals. Additionally, if any animal is changing it’s behavior because of your presence, as these bears clearly are, it’s safe to assume that you’re too close.
If a bear does approach you in the wild, you should pick up your stuff and walk (don’t run!) away, moving to a safe distance. If the animal continues to approach, move to the safety of a car or building. In this case, the photographer should have moved toward the group of nearby people, getting well out of the bears’ line of travel and joining the crowd to avoid a dangerous situation. Read more on bear safety in Yellowstone below.
Yellowstone National Park Bear Safety Guidelines:
All of Yellowstone is grizzly and black 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.
- Stay at least 100 yards from bears.
- Carry bear spray (and know how to use it).
- Hike in groups of 3 or more people.
- Know what to do if you encounter a bear.
- Respect closures and restrictions.
- Honk if a bear approaches your car.
- Deter bears while camping.
