Yes.We highly suggest that visitors carry bear spray in the park as Glacier is home to the largest numbers of both grizzly and black bear in the lower 48.
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Just to keep things in perspective, though, bear encounters are very rare. Consider that roughly two million people visit Glacier each year, and more than one million venture into the backcountry. On average, there are only one or two non-lethal bear incidents in a given year.
If you go to bear country you need bear spray. And also most bear sprays have a shelf life of a few years so you can always bring it with if you visit the park again or any other park you might need it.
No bear spray allowed in Yosemite National ParkRangers from Yosemite say there just isn't a need for the spray. The park doesn't have grizzlies (the main reason someone would carry bear spray in the first place). Even though about 500 black bears do roam the park, Yosemite has never reported a bear-on-human attack.
Bears are generally more visible this time of year and potentially more aggressive, which makes them even more of a safety concern for visitors. If you are out hiking, whether it is a tenth of a mile or a backcountry adventure, it is essential to carry bear spray for your safety.
Encounters with grizzly bears are quite common on the east side of Glacier since bears often descend to lowland meadows and forests searching for food in the summer. The biggest chance to spot a bear is in Many Glacier Area, especially on Grinnell Glacier Trail, Iceberg Lake Trail, Cracker Lake Trail, and Logan Pass.
Cooley says the population around Glacier National Park, which contains an even larger number of bears than the Yellowstone area, is healthy and strong.
Katmai National Park (Alaska)The highest concentration of grizzly bears in the United States is in Katmai National Park. The park was established in 1918 to protect the brown bears that frequent the area, and today it's home to an estimated 2,000 grizzlies.
There will be bear activity in September. Later September the bears start to go into hyperplasia (sp) where they start to eat voraciously to prepare for winter. Many Glacier area is well known for bears on the hillside even more so than usual, around labor day and later. August anywhere the hucks are out and ready.