Food Storage in Grizzly Country
In grizzly habitat, food storage is not optional — it is regulated, enforced, and essential for both your safety and the bears' survival. A grizzly that gets human food is a dead grizzly.
Where Food Storage is Regulated
- Glacier National Park: Bear-resistant containers or park-provided hanging poles
- Yellowstone backcountry: Bear-resistant containers required
- Grand Teton backcountry: Bear-resistant containers required
- Bob Marshall Wilderness: Bear-resistant containers recommended
- Most of Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho wilderness: Check local regulations
Approved Methods
Bear Canisters
Hard-sided containers that bears cannot open.
Approved models:
- BV500 (BearVault): 7.2L, 33 oz, fits 4–5 days of food for one person. Most popular.
- Bearikade Weekender: 8.0L, 28 oz, lighter but expensive ($300+)
- Garcia Backpacker: 12L, 44 oz, larger capacity for longer trips or groups
Tips:
- Pack canisters efficiently — compress food bags, fill every gap
- Store 100+ feet from your tent, preferably on flat ground away from cliffs (bears sometimes bat them around)
- Do not attach anything to the canister (rope, straps) — bears use attachments as handles
Bear Poles and Cables
Many backcountry campsites in national parks provide bear poles or cable systems.
- Hang food bags on the pole/cable using provided hardware
- These are communal — share space with other campers
- Arrive early to ensure you get pole space
Electric Fences (Group Trips)
Some outfitters use portable electric fences around food caches. Effective but heavy and specialized.
What Must Be Stored
Everything with a scent:
- All food (including wrappers and crumbs)
- Cooking pots and utensils (even after washing)
- Stove and fuel
- Toothpaste, sunscreen, lip balm, bug spray
- Garbage and recycling
- Clothes you cooked in (controversial but recommended)
- Pet food
Camp Layout in Grizzly Country
Maintain a triangle with 100+ yards between each point:
- Cooking area (downwind from sleeping)
- Food storage (bear canister or pole)
- Sleeping area (upwind, away from food smells)
Common Mistakes
- Leaving food unattended while day-hiking from a backcountry camp
- Snacking in the tent
- Forgetting to store toiletries
- Assuming a "quick nap" is safe with food in the tent vestibule
- Not carrying an approved container in areas where it is required
Recommended Gear
Based on the topics covered in this guide, here are some top-rated products to consider:
- Sea To Summit Alto TR2 Bigfoot Footprint ($45, 0.8 lbs)
- Sea To Summit Alto TR2 Lightfoot Footprint ($37, 0.5 lbs)
- Thule Alltrail 25L Daypack ($140, 1.9 lbs)
- Jetboil CrunchIt Fuel Canister Recycling Tool ($13, 1 oz)
- Thule Accent 26L Backpack ($150, 2.7 lbs)
- MSR Blizzard Tent Stakes ($30, 1 oz)
What if a Bear Gets Your Food?
- Do not attempt to retrieve food from a bear
- Report the incident to a ranger as soon as possible
- You may need to alter your trip plan (shorter route, earlier exit)
- This is why carrying extra food (1 day buffer) is smart in grizzly country