Coffee isn’t necessary to shake the cobwebs out in the morning if you wake up to a bear inches away from your face staring at you through the flap of your tent. Check out this tense moment caught on video inside Glacier National Park where Samantha Woods and her husband were fast asleep in their tent when a bear came strolling through her campsite. You can hear her disengage the safety mechanism on her bear spray as she tries to control her breathing and remain calm. Thankfully the bear was just having a look and moved on after this brief but intense encounter.
“Don’t mind our shaky breathing, but we were scared. Figured it didn’t seem aggressive so we just waited and sure enough it moved on!” –Samatha Woods
Avoiding bear encounters while camping isn’t an exact science but there are plenty of precautions you can take to reduce the chances. Here’s some suggestions from Glacier National Park on how to keep curious bears away from where you sleep:
Glacier National Park Bear Safety While In Camp Guidelines:
Glacier’s campgrounds and developed areas can remain unattractive to bears if each visitor manages food and trash properly. Following park regulations will help keep the “wild” in wildlife and ensure your safety as well.
- Keep a clean camp. Never improperly store or leave food unattended.
- All edible items, food containers (empty or not), cookware (clean or not), and trash
- (including feminine hygiene products) must be stored in a vehicle or designated food locker or hung when not in use, both day and night.
- Do not throw any food or garbage into pit toilets.
- Monitor your campsite for signs of bears and for careless campers nearby. Notify park staff of any potential problems.
