Travel Tips

Travel Tip: What You Should Know About Safety in National Parks

Grizzly Bears in Yellowstone National Park - photo courtesy National Parks ServiceIt’s high season for most national parks, which means it’s time for a refresher course in safety. National parks aren’t theme parks—they’re protected wilderness—and following basic safety rules is essential.

Here’s what you need to know about safety in national parks.

Yellowstone National Park has already had incidents of visitors being attacked by bison. As you may have guessed, they were standing too close to the bison.

A minimum distance of 25 feet is recommended for most wild animals. For bears, wolves, and elk, it’s 100 feet.

Here’s a good rule of thumb:

If your presence causes an animal to move, you’re too close.

Most parks have designated turnouts where you can stay inside your vehicle and use binoculars to spot wildlife.

What about not leaving food or trash out in the open? The rule is there for a reason. Bears learn quickly and will return to the same spot to find food.

Pay attention to the signs, especially if parks require lockers or bear canisters to store your food, or if you need to hang food from a tree.

But remember, this is their habitat, not yours.

For more information about visiting national parks, check out:

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