Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park - Wilderness Food Storage (U.S. National Park Service)

Food storage lockers are available for use at specified wilderness locations. Photo by Peter Stekel

New in 2008: These parks are strongly recommending that all campers carry all food, garbage, and toiletries in a park-approved bear-resistant food-storage container (canister or pannier). It is likely that a formal requirement to use these containers thoughout all of the park wilderness area will replace this recommendation as early as 2009. In the meantime, the parks are making a concerted effort to remove broken and unused lockers from the wilderness.

NOTE: This recommendation is in addition to the existing requirements to carry and use park-approved, bear-resistant food-storage containers in three specified areas: 1) Rae Lakes Loop and vicinity 2) Dusy and Palisades Basins and 3) Rock Creek drainage.

For more information about this recommendation, click here to read a pdf file (184 KB).

STORE FOOD (and all scented items, including garbage) IN ONE OF THESE THREE WAYS, LISTED IN ORDER OF EFFECTIVENESS:

1. Use portable bear-proof canisters approved by the National Park Service (available for purchase or rent at most park visitor centers and many outdoor gear stores). Canisters are highly recommended as the preferred method of food storage throughout the wilderness.

Canisters are required in three areas throughout the wilderness from the Friday of Memorial Day through October 31. In Kings Canyon National Park, canisters are required in Dusy Basin/Palisades Basin, and Rae Lakes Loop. In Sequoia National Park, canisters are required in the Rock Creek drainage. Additionally, the Inyo National Forest also requires canisters in other areas.
View a list of canisters and panniers approved for use in these parks. View main sierrawildbear site.
View information on how to pack canisters.

2. Camp at an area with a metal food storage locker. Keep in mind that you must share these lockers with other hikers; locks are not permitted on them. Carry rope for hanging food in case the box is full or you don't camp where you intended.

View a list of food storage locker locations in the wilderness.

3. Counter-balance method: Many people think they can protect their food by hanging it this way. However, because bears are so adaptable, they have figured ways to obtain counter-balanced food. This method generally does not work in these parks. Only use this option if the others are not available. If a bear gets your food, you not only go hungry and put future hikers at greater risk, but also put a bear at greater risk of being killed.

WILDERNESS FOOD STORAGE PRECAUTIONS AND REGULATIONS:

Avoid taking odorous foods; they attract bears.

Don't leave food and containers in cars at the trailhead (including ice chests, bags, and cans). You must use trailhead food storage lockers if they are available. If not, contact a ranger for alternatives. Bears can break into vehicles if they see or smell signs of food.

Share food storage lockers with other campers. Store soap, sunscreen, deodorant, toothpaste and garbage in the same way as food. Bears are attracted to anything with an odor.

You can often scare bears away by making loud noises and throwing objects before they get to your food. Be bold, but keep a safe distance and use good judgment. Never attempt to retrieve food from a bear. Never approach a bear or get near a cub.

Remove all food from packs and store it properly at night and any time you are away from camp. Bears are active both day and night. Leave packs on the ground with flaps and pockets open.

Take all your garbage with you when you leave an area.

If a bear does get your food, you are responsible for cleaning up and packing out all debris, and for reporting it to the nearest ranger.

Note: These regulations and precautions help decrease the chance of personal injury or property damage. However, bear damage and confrontations are still possible, even when all guidelines are followed.

All bears in the Sierra Nevada are American black bears, Ursus americanus. This name can be misleading, as they may be black, brown, cinnamon, or even blonde in color. The last grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) in California was killed near Sequoia National Park in 1922. This food storage information does not apply to areas inhabited by grizzly bears.