The black bear is not always black. They can be black, brown, or a cinnamon color. Grizzlies can also be brown, black, or any shade in between. If you see a hump on the shoulder of a bear, you can be sure it is a grizzly. Although Yellowstone has a high concentration of grizzlies, actually seeing one is rare.
Most visitors see Black bears more frequently due to their higher concentration in the park.
Bear Encounters Yellowstone is home to both grizzly and black bears. Although the risk of an encounter with a bear is low, there are no guarantees of your safety. Make bears aware of your presence on trails by making loud noises such as shouting or singing. This lessens the chance of sudden encounters, which are the cause of most bear-caused human injuries in the park. Hike in groups and use caution where vision is obstructed.