We aren’t talking about laying on your horn every time you see a bear off in the distance while driving through Yellowstone National Park but if one approaches or touches your car don’t be bashful about beeping. Once you give a honk, don’t speed away rather creep from your spot and leave slowly:
“Help us keep wildlife wild and protect their safety and yours. When a bear begins to associate people with food, the bear can become aggressive and a threat to public safety.”
Should a Yellowstone bear approach your vehicle remember to report the behavior as soon as you’re able to as park rangers want to keep tabs on problematic bears and discourage habituation for the bears’ safety and yours.
In addition to giving bears a honk should they come close to your car, there is another vehicle policy that Yellowstone wants all visitors to be aware of, Don’t Cause Traffic Jams. Here is Eric Reinertson, a biologist with Yellowstone’s bear management program, as he patrols along Yellowstone’s East Entrance Road, monitoring one of the park’s most common traffic challenges: bear jams, those slowdowns caused when visitors pull over to watch wildlife.
Rather than getting transfixed by the sight of bear and stopping your vehicle wherever you may be to observe these incredible animals, keep your wits about you and find a proper pullout where you can safely park with all four wheels off the road.
“Don’t block traffic to take pictures. Use pullouts to watch wildlife and let other cars pass by making sure all of your wheels are completely, and safely, off the road. Stay with your vehicle if you encounter a wildlife jam.” -Yellowstone National Park
Be safe, be respectful, and be knowledgable about Yellowstone’s wildlife safety guidelines before entering the park. Learn more here.
