Bearproof Your Food and Smelly Things

    Sharing a habitat with Yosemite’s bruins means taking care to keep these wild animals wild. Follow these precautions while in bear country.
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    Bearproof food storage lockers in Yosemite. Photo by Grant Ordelheide

    Bearproof food storage lockers in Yosemite. Photo by Grant Ordelheide

    Sharing a habitat with Yosemite’s bruins means taking care to keep these wild animals wild. Follow these precautions while in bear country.

    Food Storage In Campgrounds and Tent Cabins

    • After dark, pack everything that has a scent—including food, soap, toothpaste, and trash—inside the bear lockers provided. Only remove items when you’re using them.
    • Never leave food or other smelly items in your car, truck bed, or roof compartment overnight. Bears can and do break into cars.

    Food Storage In Backcountry Campsites

    • Pack food and scented items in a park-approved bear canister. At night, place the canister 100 yards from the tent. Find a list of approved containers at www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/containers.htm
    • Don’t hang your food from a tree. Yosemite bears are experts at raiding bear bags (and it’s against park rules).

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