How likely are you to see a bear in Glacier?

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.



People Also Ask

While grizzly bears can be found anywhere in Glacier, trails in the Many Glacier Valley (Iceberg Lake Trail, Cracker Lake Trail, Grinnell Glacier Trail), on Huckleberry Mountain and in the Logan Pass Area (Highline Trail, Gunsight Lake Trail, Hidden Lake Trail) tend to have the most grizzly bear sightings.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

Carry Bear Spray Bear spray is an inexpensive way to deter bear attacks and has been shown to be the most effective deterrent. Be sure you know how to use it and that you are carrying it in an accessible place. Check the Ranger-led Activity page for summer demonstrations.

MORE DETAILS

Although not commonly seen, they persist in stable densities throughout Glacier. Read about mountain lion safety before hitting the trail. As one of Glacier's larger predators, mountain lions pursue a wide variety of prey, including deer, elk, moose, and bighorn sheep, as well as smaller animals.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

Cooley says the population around Glacier National Park, which contains an even larger number of bears than the Yellowstone area, is healthy and strong.

MORE DETAILS

Thankfully, however, the attitude around wolves shifted, leading to the reintroduction of gray wolves to Glacier, as well as other national parks where wolves play an important predatory role. Today, researchers believe there are six to eight packs of wolves living within the park's boundaries.

MORE DETAILS

NOTE: Bear spray is not allowed in every national park. Check with your national park to see if bear pepper spray is recommended or allowed for the activities you have planned. Having bear spray isn't useful if you don't know how to use it!

MORE DETAILS