Yosemite joins urgent bear safety warning

The National Park Service said on May 15 that visitors should take extra precautions in bear country after recent bear incidents in several national parks, as spring and early summer bring increased bear activity. Yosemite National Park is among the parks where food storage rules and wildlife-distance requirements are being emphasized ahead of heavier seasonal travel. Yellowstone, Glacier, Grand Teton and Denali also publish park-specific bear guidance that centers on securing food, avoiding close encounters and following local regulations. The warnings come days before Memorial Day weekend, when visitation typically rises across major U.S. parks. ### Why is Yosemite part of this warning now? The National Park Service said spring and early summer are periods of increased bear activity because bears may be moving through habitat, searching for food or protecting cubs. The agency’s May 15 release did not single out Yosemite alone, but it said visitors in bear country should expect changing wildlife behavior at this time of year and should take steps to reduce the chance of conflict. Yosemite has long enforced strict food-storage rules because bears that gain access to human food can become dangerous and may have to be removed from the park. (nps.gov) Park guidance says all food and scented items must be stored properly, and federal regulations require approved bear-resistant canisters in all wilderness areas of Yosemite. The park also provides metal food lockers in every campsite and at many trailheads and lodging areas with tent cabins. ### What are visitors actually being told to do? (nps.gov) Glacier National Park says visitors can reduce risk by staying alert, hiking in groups, storing food properly and giving wildlife plenty of space. The park also tells motorists not to stop near roadside bears and says people who want to view a bear should pull over only from at least 100 yards away in a safe location. Grand Teton National Park says bears can be active anywhere in the park, including near campgrounds, picnic areas and developed sites. (nps.gov) Its guidance says odors from food and personal items can attract bears, and backcountry travelers are required to use Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee-approved bear-resistant containers for food storage. Denali National Park and Preserve says knowledge is the key tool in bear country and identifies two main prevention steps: avoiding surprise encounters and making sure food and trash are always stored properly. (nps.gov) Denali requires bear-resistant food containers for overnight camping in many backcountry units and recommends them elsewhere. ### How strict are the rules in Yellowstone? Yellowstone National Park says visitors must stay 100 yards away from black and grizzly bears, and approaching bears within that distance is prohibited. (nps.gov) The park also tells visitors to store food, garbage, barbecue grills and other attractants in hard-sided vehicles or bear-proof storage boxes and to report sightings and encounters to a ranger. A May 4 Yellowstone alert closed certain trails, backcountry campsites and fishing areas near Biscuit Basin until further notice after a bear-caused human injury. (nps.gov) That closure is separate from the broader seasonal safety messaging, but it shows how quickly access rules can change after an incident. ### Does this mean the same rule applies in every park? The National Park Service says food-storage requirements differ by park and by the types of bears present. (nps.gov) Some parks require food lockers or bear-resistant containers, while others allow different storage methods, and the agency tells visitors to check the rules for the specific park they plan to visit. National Park Service guidance also says visitors should check with the nearest visitor center or backcountry office for the latest bear safety information when they arrive. (nps.gov) Park-specific conditions, trail closures and wildlife activity can change during the season, especially as Memorial Day weekend opens the heavier summer travel period. ### Where should travelers look before they go? The National Park Service maintains separate bear-safety and trip-planning pages for Yosemite, Yellowstone, Glacier, Grand Teton and Denali, and those pages include the current rules on food storage, wildlife distance and backcountry equipment. (nps.gov) Denali’s current conditions page says spring 2026 facility hours are variable, while Yosemite, Yellowstone, Glacier and Grand Teton also post active alerts and seasonal guidance on their official park pages. Travelers heading out for Memorial Day weekend can expect those pages to be the first place parks update closures, restrictions and safety instructions. (nps.gov 1) (nps.gov 2)