Regulations by Trail and Wilderness Area
Bear-resistant food storage is legally required in many popular wilderness areas. Fines for non-compliance range from $50 to $5,000. Always check the specific regulations for your destination before your trip — rules change and vary by park, wilderness, and even zone within a park.
Areas Where Bear Canisters Are REQUIRED
- Yosemite National Park: Required in entire backcountry year-round
- John Muir Trail (much of it): Required in multiple wilderness areas along the route
- Sequoia and Kings Canyon NPs: Required in much of the backcountry
- Desolation Wilderness (CA): Required year-round
- Parts of Rocky Mountain NP, Glacier NP: Required in specific areas
Where Bear Bags and Ursacks Are Typically Acceptable
- Most of the Pacific Crest Trail outside required-canister zones
- Most national forest wilderness areas (verify per forest)
- Most of the Appalachian Trail corridor (PCT hang is common)
- Cascade Range wilderness areas in WA and OR
Bear Canisters
Hard-sided bear canisters are rigid, IGBC-approved containers that are physically impossible for bears to open. They're the most reliable bear protection, universally accepted, and double as a camp seat.
Canister Pros & Cons
- ✓ Required in some areas — only legal option
- ✓ Highly effective — bears physically cannot open them
- ✓ No suitable tree required — usable above treeline
- ✓ Double as a camp seat and bear-safe sitting area
- ✗ Heavy: 1.5–3 lbs depending on model
- ✗ Bulky: Must fit in or on pack — challenges pack fit
- ✗ Limited capacity: Typically 650–900 ci (4–7 days solo)
Bear Bags and Ursacks
Bear bags are soft containers hung from trees using the PCT hang method or bear bag hang. They rely on keeping food out of reach rather than physical resistance. Ursacks are IGBC-approved cut-resistant bags made from Spectra fabric that bears cannot tear open.
PCT Hang (Traditional Bear Bag)
The PCT hang (also called the counterbalance method) suspends food bags from a tree branch 10 feet off the ground and 4 feet from the trunk. Any sealable bag works. The method is effective when done correctly but requires a suitable tree — above treeline, it's useless.
Ursack: The Hybrid Option
The Ursack Major and AllWhite use IGBC-certified Spectra fabric. Bears cannot access contents but can crush the bag (contents may be damaged, not accessed). Must be tied to a fixed object. Not accepted in Yosemite but accepted in most other areas.
- Ursack Major: 10.6 oz, 650 ci, IGBC approved. ~$90
- Ursack AllWhite: 8.8 oz, 1,050 ci, IGBC approved + odor resistant liner option. ~$95
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Factor | Hard Canister (BV500) | Ursack Major | PCT Hang (any bag) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 2 lbs 9 oz | 10.6 oz | 2–4 oz (just the bag) |
| Capacity | 700 ci | 650 ci | Unlimited |
| Bear Resistance | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ (if hung correctly) |
| Yosemite Legal? | Yes | No | No |
| Above-Treeline Use | Yes | Yes (tie to rock) | No |
| Cost | ~$75–100 | ~$90 | $5–20 |
Sources & Further Reading
- Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC). "Certified Bear Resistant Products." igbconline.org
- Yosemite National Park. "Bear Canister Requirements." nps.gov/yose
- PCTA. "Bear Canister Use on the PCT." pcta.org
- BearVault. "Canister Selection Guide." bearvault.com
- Ursack. "IGBC Certification Documentation." ursack.com
