National Park Service Bear Safety U.S. Department of the Interior

In Alaska’s National Parklands 

Bears and campers often frequent the same areas in Alaska’s 

national parks. In coastal parks, both tend to spend time on the 

beach, the narrow band of land found between the sea and the 

brush, forest, or steep cliffs. Bears prefer these areas because they 

often contain abundant vegetation for grazing and make travel 

easy, while campers prefer these areas for cooking and because 

they offer easy access to kayak travel. Inland parks are also home 

to bears and it is important that campers respect their space. 

It is likely that bears and campers will encounter one another, but 

by remaining calm and following the basic advice of experienced 

bear behaviorists, you increase the odds of a positive outcome 

for both you and the bear. 

Some parks require campers to attend an orientation at the 

Visitor Information Station. During this orientation a park 

ranger will inform you about areas that are closed to 

camping due to high bear activity or recent bear/human 

encounters. If the park you are visiting does not have a bear 

safety orientation, take the time to read this brochure and 

learn how you can camp safely in bear country. Contact park 

staff to obtain current information on bear safety issues. 

Once in the backcountry you are on your own. Some parks 

require you to obtain a camping permit and may issue free 

bear-resistant food containers (BRFC). 

Cover photo © Robert Sabin 

Bear Signs to Watch for and Areas to Avoid 

It is important to be “bear aware” when camping and hiking in Alaska’s national parks and to 

avoid seasonal bear foraging areas (sedge meadows, berry patches, etc.). Bear signs are easy to 

find if you know what to look for. Select a campsite with the least amount of bear sign and away 

from seasonal bear foraging areas. Here are some signs to be on the lookout for: 

Bear scat or tracks that seem very recent or Narrow beaches with steep cliffs or extremely 

abundant. Be alert. dense brush do not allow a bear to pass safely. 

Remember that at high tide a bear will not Trails are formed because of consistent use. Bears have as much room to pass between your camp will often follow the path of least resistance, for and the high water line. example, lakeshores and ridgelines. 

Neither you nor the bear want to be surprised A tree or log that has bear hair or claw marks by the other. Avoid areas with restricted may indicate that it is a repeatedly used visibility and make noise when exiting your tent. bear rub-tree. 

Ask yourself: Can a bear walk by and pass Large dug up areas could be forage sites, day my campsite and cooking area unhindered? beds, or belly holes. 

Avoid salmon streams! Bears like fish. And a 

noisy stream may lessen your ability to hear a 

bear or for a bear to hear you. 

Photo © John Schoen 

night, store your BRFC and clean cooking gear 

off of main animal trails, (in coastal parks above Be prepared to quickly stow all food 

high tide line) and at least 100 yards from your back into the BRFC if a bear 

tent and hidden in thick brush or behind rocks. should suddenly approach. 

Keep your gear together — 

Prepare and consume food at least 100 yards from minimize the amount of space 

your tent site and food storage area. Try to select that you occupy. Always ask 

cooking areas where you can see a comfortable distance yourself, “Is there room for a 

to minimize the risk of a surprise encounter with a bear bear to get around us?” Or “Can I 

passing through the area. National Park Service photograph quickly get all this gear under my control?” 

Keep all food and cosmetics in the BRFC If camping in a coastal park, prepare and eat all 

when not in use. Place any snacks, wrappers, food in the intertidal zone, that area below the 

lip balm, sunscreen, etc. that were used seaweed debris line and the waterline. Cook and 

while kayaking or hiking into the BRFC eat as close to the water as possible so cooking 

before entering your tent. It is not a good smells and any food particles will then be 

idea to store food in kayaks overnight. At washed away by the next tide. 

Cooking and Storing Food 

Photo © Terry D. DeBruyn 

Minimize Bear Disturbance and Displacement Minimize the Risk of Having Your Gear Destroyed 

If you see a bear and it does not see you, back away out 

of sight and change your course. Move out of the area 

or quietly observe the bear at a safe distance without 

approaching or otherwise disturbing it. Disturbance is 

evident whenever a bear changes its behavior because 

of you. If it stops eating and looks up, sniffs the air with 

ears erect, trying to locate you, you are too close! Bears 

only have 6-8 months to acquire the calories and fat 

reserves needed for the entire year. Give them space! 

While many bears seem to be tolerant of human 

presence at distances farther than 100 yards, each 

animal and situation is different. Pay attention to the 

bear’s behavior and respect its right to feed and travel 

undisturbed. Use telephoto lenses and binoculars. 

Allow bears to pass by your camp undisturbed. If 

you have made sure that the bear is aware of your 

Photo © John Hyde

Do not pursue or harass bears for the sake of a 

close encounter or photograph, either on land or 

from your watercraft. 

Photo © Robert Sabin 

Do not leave gear unattended. This 

includes tents, clothes, pads, water 

bottles, etc. Consider using a portable 

electric fence to discourage bears from 

investigating your camp. 

Keep gear together and under your 

immediate control. In coastal areas 

minimize the amount of space you take 

up on a beach. Again, ask: “Is there 

room for a bear to get around our 

camp?” A Tip: set up tents after making 

dinner and take them down before 

breakfast in order to keep all gear 

with or very near you in the intertidal 

when cooking or packing up kayaks. 

presence so it is not surprised and have kept all your Elevate your reaction if a bear 

gear under your direct control, allow the bear to When choosing your tent site avoid areas elevates its inquisitiveness. If a bear

pass by unhindered. You may just be afforded the frequented by bears, camping in travel approaches make noise, wave your 

opportunity to safely observe this amazing creature corridors (e.g., river corridors and trails), arms, etc. Stand your ground! Never 

in its natural environment. and do not camp in the intertidal zone. surrender your gear to a bear! 
Handling a Bear Encounter National Park Service 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

Basic Bear Safety Tips 

As the number of visitors to bear country in Alaska increases 

so does the number of human/bear encounters. The vast 

majority of these encounters do not result in human injury 

or fatality. However, a much larger proportion of these 

encounters do result in the bear’s death. You can help prevent 

injury to yourself, to others, and to the bear by taking a few 

basic precautions. 

Stay Alert 

Stay constantly alert in bear country. Use your ears, eyes, and 

even your nose to detect the presence of a bear. The sooner 

you are aware of the bear, the more time you and the bear 

will have to react appropriately. 

Be Visible, Make Noise 

A surprise encounter with a bear is dangerous and can be 

terrifying. However, you can reduce the potential for such 

encounters. Avoid surprises by traveling in open areas with 

good visibility. Make noise as you walk, particularly in thick 

brush, or when rounding a blind corner — talk, clap, and sing. 

Be extra alert in windy conditions or near noisy streams or 

beaches that may mask your sounds. When possible, travel 

with the wind at your back. 

Safety in Numbers 

The larger your group is, the less risk of a bear attacking. 

Stay together as a group, particularly if visibility is poor. 

Avoid Bears 

If possible change your course to avoid the bear or move out of 

the area slowly. Never approach a bear, even from your boat or 

kayak. Approaching bears is dangerous and can cause undue 

stress and disturbance to the bear increasing the risk of attack. 

Store Food Properly 

Keep all food and scented items under your immediate control 

at all times. While camping, keep a clean camp and store food 

appropriately. 

Report Bear Encounters 

If you have an encounter, report it to a park ranger as soon 

as possible. This will alert others and enable park staff to 

respond appropriately to the situation if necessary. 

Photo © Terry D. DeBruyn 

What Should You Do if You Encounter a Bear? 

First assess the situation. Does the bear see you? If the bear does not see you, simply move away from 

the bear and the encounter is over. 

Non-defensive Bear Encounters 

• If the bear is aware of you and either looking or not looking 

at you, or moving steadily along a route, this can be 

considered non-defensive behavior. 

What if you are hiking or kayaking and you encounter 

a non-defensive bear? 

• Change your course to avoid the bear. 

Increase your distance from the bear and 

stay alert to the bear’s whereabouts. 

What if you are camping, cooking, or eating 

and you encounter a non-defensive bear? 

• Keep all of your gear under your direct 

control. 

• Make sure the bear is aware of your 

presence. Talk calmly to the bear and stand 

your ground! 

• If you are in a group, stay together 

Photo © John Hyde

without blocking the bear’s route. If the 

bear is not focused on you allow the bear 

to pass peacefully. 

• If the bear approaches and is focused on 

you, stand together and elevate your 

Defensive Bear Encounters 

• Defensive behaviors arise when bears are defending food 

or female bears are defending their offspring. Defensive 

encounters usually occur suddenly and at close distances. 

• Defensive behavior may include snorting, huffing, jaw 

popping, and charging. 

• If you note any of these behaviors STOP 

AND STAND YOUR GROUND. Your safety 

lies in calming the bear. 

• Talk calmly to the bear; move slowly away 

diagonally if the bear is stationary. 

• Continue to monitor the bear as you 

move from the area. 

• If the bear renews its advance stop and 

stand your ground again. Talk calmly to 

the bear. 

• If the bear charges remain non-threatening 

and stand your ground. Most charges do 

not end in contact. Now is the time to 

use bear pepper spray if you have it! 

What if the bear makes contact during 

a defensive encounter? 

defensive actions by shouting, yelling, and • IF IT IS A BROWN BEAR, PLAY DEAD: 

waving your arms. Do not retreat from the bear. You can also 

use noisemakers like air horns or bang pots and pans. 

• If the bear departs the encounter ends. 

• If the bear continues to approach, stand your ground and 

remain assertive. 

• If a bear charges you stand your ground and remain 

assertive. Make yourself look big. Most non-defensive charges 

do not end in contact. 

• Now is the time to use bear pepper spray if you have it! 

• If the bear makes contact fight back vigorously! This is 

likely a predatory attack. Kick, punch, or hit the bear’s face, 

eyes and nose. 

Lie face down with your hands clasped behind your neck 

and legs spread apart so the bear can’t turn you over. Do 

not move until the bear leaves the area. If the attack is prolonged and the brown bear begins to feed on you, fight back 

vigorously! The encounter has now likely changed from a 

defensive one to a predatory one. 

• IF IT IS A BLACK BEAR, DO NOT PLAY DEAD: 

Fight back vigorously! 

• NEVER PLAY DEAD WITH A BLACK BEAR! Most black bear 

attacks are predatory. 

• FIGHT ANY BEAR THAT ATTEMPTS TO ENTER YOUR TENT!! 

Left: Standing brown bear, photo © Robert Sabin