How often are bear encounters in Yellowstone?

For instance, in Yellowstone National Park, you must stay 100 yards or farther from bears and 25 yards from elk and bison. There is an average of one bear attack per year in Yellowstone.



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We have the proper optics and equipment, so you can witness and film bears out in the field. Hands down the best time of year to see bears in Yellowstone is between mid-April and the first week of June.

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Bearmuda Triangle. Located around Tower Junction, the “Bear-muda” Triangle of Yellowstone is an area known for bear activity (grizzly bears and, more commonly, black bears). This is one of the few areas in the United States where black bears coexist with grizzly bears.

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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.


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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. If you see a bear, the best course of action for you is to avoid the bear to your best ability.

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Look out for a bear giving these warning signs:
  • Huffing.
  • Jaw popping.
  • Low growls.


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Grizzly bears are active primarily at dawn, dusk, and night. In spring, they may be seen around Yellowstone Lake, Fishing Bridge, Hayden and Lamar valleys, Swan Lake Flats, and the East Entrance.

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

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If you have bear spray, have it out and ready to use.
  1. If you have bear spray, have it out and ready to use.
  2. Do not run. This could trigger a chase response from the bear.
  3. Remain calm.
  4. Slowly back away from the bear.
  5. Say, It's okay bear, or I'm leaving bear, to let the bear know you are a human.


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Remember, always carry bear spray when hiking in Grand Teton, practice with inert cans often, and be bear aware! Stay safe out there and enjoy yourself while recreating responsibly in Grand Teton.

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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.

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Consider that roughly 2.5 million people visit the Grand Tetons each year, and roughly one-half of all visitors will venture into the backcountry. However, there have been only six reported bear attacks in the park since 1994 - none of which were fatal.

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