Are there grizzly bears at Yellowstone?

Yellowstone is home to both grizzly bears (above) and black bears. Safe traveling in bear country begins before you get on the trail. Learning about bears can help you avoid a confrontation. Yellowstone is home to two species of bears: grizzly bears and black bears.



People Also Ask

Inhabited by both black bears and grizzly bears, Yellowstone is a bear-watcher's paradise. For many people, seeing bears is one of the main reasons they come to Yellowstone. It's possible to see ten or fifteen bears in one day in this vast preserve.

MORE DETAILS

Take the Encounter Seriously Bear encounters, however, are still relatively dangerous, as both grizzly and black bears, the two species of bear found in Yellowstone, can act aggressively if they feel threatened.

MORE DETAILS

If you see a bear, the best course of action for you is to avoid the bear to your best ability. Walk away slowly in the direction from which you came, moving sideways if possible. Do not run away from the bear because this will encourage the bear to chase you.

MORE DETAILS

According to the National Park Service (NPS), eight people have been killed by bears at Yellowstone National Park since it was established in 1872.

MORE DETAILS

If you do any hiking or camping in Yellowstone, you SHOULD bring bear spray. Generally, you don't need bear spray when visiting the popular and crowded geyser areas and villages, such as Old Faithful and Canyon Village.

MORE DETAILS

Protect Your Park; Protect Yourself Always stay at least 100 yards (91 m) away from bears and wolves, and at least 25 yards (23 m) away from all other animals, including bison and elk. Hot springs have injured or killed more people in Yellowstone than any other natural feature.

MORE DETAILS

The mountain lion, also called the cougar, is the largest member of the cat family living in Yellowstone. Mountain lions can weigh up to 200 pounds, although lions in Yellowstone are thought to range between 140 and 160 pounds for males and around 100 pounds for females.

MORE DETAILS

Wolves in Yellowstone sit at the core of a larger population connected throughout the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. In general, wolf numbers have fluctuated between 83 and 123 wolves since 2009.

MORE DETAILS

Yellowstone's greatest geological threat isn't a supervolcano. It's a magnitude-7 earthquake. YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. – While concerns about a potential eruption of the supervolcano beneath this iconic park may garner the most alarming headlines, a more likely hazard in the coming decades is a large earthquake.

MORE DETAILS

So can you even swim in Yellowstone? The short answer is yes. The long answer is: it's pretty limited. Although there are many rivers, lakes, and springs in the park, it's very important to note that the vast majority of the waters are incredibly dangerous.

MORE DETAILS

Hunting is strictly forbidden in Yellowstone, as is target practice. And visitors should not use guns as self-defense against large wildlife, but rather carry bear spray and take other safety precautions. Firearms are also prohibited in facilities like visitor centers and government offices.

MORE DETAILS

Bear Safety
  1. Keep at least 100 yards (93 m) from bears at all times and never approach a bear to take a photo.
  2. Never feed bears. ...
  3. If a bear approaches or touches your car, honk your horn and drive away to discourage this behavior.


MORE DETAILS

Slowly back away. If a bear charges, stand your ground as running may lead to chasing. Most charges are bluffs. Link arms with others and try to look as large as possible to dissuade the bear from attacking.

MORE DETAILS