Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve - Glacier Bay Bear Safety (U.S. National Park Service)

Bear Safety in Alaska's National Parks Brochure
Learn More About the Bears of Glacier Bay
Bear Habitat and Campsite Risk Assessment Project

Glacier Bay National Park is home to brown (grizzly) bears ( Ursus arctos ) and black bears ( Ursus americanus ). Black bears are found primarily in the forested regions of the lower bay, including Bartlett Cove, while brown bears live mainly in the open, recently deglaciated regions of the upper bay. Click here to see a map of bear distribution in Glacier Bay.

Which is Which?

Telling the difference between the two species can be tricky. Simply looking at color doesn’t help. A few key physical characteristics can help to clarify just what type of bear you have spotted:

Black Bear

Black Bears:

Black bears can be black, brown, blonde, even blue/gray -- as is the case of the rare color phase found in Southeast Alaska called the glacier bear. The following are some key characteristics of black bears:

Straight facial profile
Lack of a shoulder hump
Prominent ears
Short, curved claws
3 feet at the shoulder
125 to over 300 pounds

Wildlife Notebook Series black bear page

Brown Bear (grizzly)

Brown Bears (also called grizzlies)

Brown bears can be any shade from honey blonde to black. Following are some key characteristics of brown bears:

Dish-shaped or concave facial profile
Prominent shoulder hump
Long, straight claws
4 feet at the shoulder (up to 9 feet when standing on hind legs)
Average 500 to 1000 pounds

Wildlife Notebook Series Brown Bear Page

Be Bear Savvy:

While walking, hiking or camping in Glacier Bay, you may encounter a bear. The vast majority of these encounters do not result in human injury or property damage. You can help prevent injury to yourself or to the bear by taking a few basic precautions.

Be alert
Make noise, esp. in wind or near rushing water
Choose routes that offer good visibility
Travel in groups of two or more
Keep your personal items and food within your immediate reach
Do not pursue or approach bears for photographs
Avoid streams with spawning fish

Be a smart camper:

Both campers and bears frequent the beaches of Glacier Bay . Bears only have 6-8 months to acquire the calories and fat reserves needed for the entire year, and the shoreline is essential for food and travel.

The following guidelines will minimize your disruption of bears and help keep them wild

Cooking and storing food:
Cook at least 100 yards from your tent and food storage area
Cook and eat in the intertidal zone
Wash cooking gear in marine waters
Be prepared to quickly stow all food should a bear suddenly approach
Keep all food, trash and other scented items in a bear resistant food container (BRFC)
Store BRFCs and clean cooking gear in brush or behind rocks away from animal trails 100 yards from your camp
Choosing a campsite:
Avoid areas with bear sign including an abundance of scat, animal trails and chewed or clawed trees
Avoid active salmon streams
Pull your kayak and pitch your tent clear of the beach
Select a site that would allow bears room to pass at high tide
Controlling your gear:
Keep gear together. The more spread out your gear is the more difficult it is to defend.
To minimize potential bear damage to gear, consider breaking down your campsite daily.

Close encounters:

When encountering humans, most bears will run away, approach curiously, appear to ignore the situation or act defensively. By staying alert, calm and tailoring your reaction to the bear’s behavior and species, you increase the odds of a positive outcome for both you and the bear.

The bear's behavior	What you can do
May or may not be aware of you	What is your activity and degree of mobility? You are hiking or kayaking (mobile): Change your course to avoid bear Monitor bear’s movement If bear is close, talk calmly to avoid surprising it You are camping or eating (not mobile): Keep all gear under direct control Group together without blocking bear’s route Talk calmly to make bear aware of you Stand your ground
Moves toward you	Monitor bear’s movement Stand your ground and talk calmly Allow bear to pass peacefully
Becomes focused on you	Stay together and stand your ground Be assertive and elevate your defense: clap your hands, wave your arms, use noisemakers, such as an air horn or banging pots together
Charges	Continue to stand your ground Use pepper spray if you have it Few charges end in contact
If bear makes contact as a result of above sequence	Fight back vigorously. This is likely a predatory attack (see Surprise Encounters below for what to do If you should happen on a bear suddenly)

Surprise Encounters

Bear may react defensively if surprised at close distance or defending cubs or food. Its behaviors may include snorting, huffing, jaw popping, and charging. Your safety lies in assuring the bear that you are not a threat.

Stand your ground. Talk calmly to the bear. Attempt to move away slowly. If the bear begins to follow you, stand your ground. If the bear charges, use pepper spray if you have it. If it is a brown bear and makes contact, play dead. Lie flat facedown on the ground and place your interlaced fingers behind your head. Do not move. A brown bear will often back off once it feels the threat as been eliminated. Black bear attacks are rare and tend to be predatory, so never play dead with a black bear.

If you are in your tent, fight any bear that attempts to enter

Bear Safety While Fishing the Bartlett River

If a bear approaches while you have a fish on the line, cut the line.
Clean fish in the river discarding remains in the mid-channel current.
Keep your catch with you at all times in a backpack to allow for quick retreat from approaching bears.
Never yield your catch or other food items.