Camping in Bear Country

When you camp in Colorado’s great outdoors, you’re heading into country that’s long been home to black bears. Before you head into the wilderness, learn more about how to enjoy the outdoors without creating problems for yourself or these intelligent and resourceful animals.

If you want to avoid problems for yourself and the bears, make sure there’s nothing to attract bears to your camp. Here are some tips from the Colorado Division of Wildlife. To learn more, be sure to join us for the Camping Safety Demonstration at the Grizzly Exhibit in Rocky Mountain Wild during Teddy Bear Days on July 18 and 19.

From the Colorado Division of Wildlife:
Stash Your Trash. Use bear-proof containers when available. If they’re full, double bag trash and lock it in your trunk or RV. Never leave trash outside.
Store Attractants Safely. Store food, beverages and toiletries in air tight containers and lock in your trunk. Many bears have discovered that coolers, bags and boxes are full of food; never leave them in your tent or anywhere a bear could see, smell or reach.

Keep a Clean Camp. Bears are attracted to odors of all kinds and will investigate anything interesting in hopes of finding food.
Keep a Clean Tent. Don’t bring anything with an odor into your tent—that includes all foods, bever¬ages, scented toiletries, gum, toothpaste, sunscreen, candles, and insect repellant. Don’t sleep in the clothes you cooked in; store them with your food.

Lock RVs and Vehicles. Close windows and lock your vehicle and RV when you leave your camp site and at night before you go to sleep.