With over 400 species that call Yosemite home, there is plenty of life at the park. Hiking allows for the best opportunities to catch a glimpse of the wildlife in Yosemite.
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Where to See Yosemite Bears. Black bears are scaredy cats. They mainly stay away from humans, but you have a good chance of seeing one in Yosemite National Park among oak trees and meadows. Since they don't like being around humans, black bears live and travel in heavily wooded areas.
Make sure you know before you go. In national parks where grizzlies live, such as Glacier or Grand Teton, rangers encourage you to carry bear spray. In others, such as Yosemite, where only black bears live, bear spray is not even permitted.
Do not follow, feed or approach wildlife in the park – keep your distance. If camping, be bear aware; use the bear locker or a canister to store your food away from your tent, especially in the backcountry. Use a bell on trails, so bears know you are approaching and aren't startled.
These large individuals of the Mountain Coyote are the present day wolves of the Yosemite region. No true wolf is known to have occurred anywhere in middle California since about 1870.
As of February 22, 2010, a federal law allows people who can legally possess firearms under applicable federal, state, and local laws, to legally possess firearms in this park.
If a bear approaches you or if you are in a campground, picnic area, parking lot, lodging area, or other developed area, act immediately to scare it away. Scare the bear away by yelling aggressively and as loudly as possible until the bear leaves.
Bear spray and firearms are the last tools in your toolbox. They should not provide a false sense of security. It is recommended that you carry bear spray when hiking in bear country.