Storing Food in Bear Country: Canisters, Hangs and Lockers
Bears and other animals that learn to associate campsites with food can become dangerous and may have to be removed. Storing food properly protects them as much as it protects your dinner. Rules vary by area, so check the regulations for the place you are visiting.
What needs to be stored
Store all food, trash and anything with a scent: toothpaste, sunscreen, lip balm, cooking gear and empty wrappers. Keep them out of your tent at all times.
Cook and eat a good distance from where you sleep, and clean up thoroughly afterward.
Canisters, lockers and hangs
Many parks require approved bear-resistant canisters, which are placed on the ground away from camp. Developed campgrounds often provide metal food lockers; use them and keep them closed and latched. Hanging food from a tree is permitted in some areas but is difficult to do well, and land managers specify the height and distance needed.
Car storage is not secure in some regions; bears can break into vehicles.
Practice opening and closing your canister at home, and pack it so it fits easily in your bag; awkward canisters tend to be left unlatched at camp.
Habits that matter
Never leave food unattended, even briefly during the day. Pack out every scrap, including fruit peels, which take a long time to break down.
Learn the local guidance on what to do if you meet a bear, since it differs between species and regions.