Spring is here, and so are the black bears!
April 26, 2026 – Yosemite National Park officials offer advice on how to safely navigate the park as black bears are waking from hibernation.
It’s the time of the year when black bears are emerging from hibernation to roam Yosemite and regain the weight they lost while they were sleeping. This means that they will be active, hungry, and searching for food. Before visiting the park, take a moment to read up on some bear necessities:
Bears in Yosemite are most often seen eating new grasses in meadows or tearing at logs to look for grubs. If you come across a bear in its natural habitat, let it go about its day and eat in peace. Stay at least 50 yards (about four shuttle buses parked end to end) away. If a bear approaches you or other people, or is in a developed area like a picnic area or campground, yell as loudly and aggressively as possible to scare it away. Bears who get comfortable around humans can become bold while searching for food.
Black bears are not particularly interested in people, but they are very interested in our food. This includes scented items that we don’t traditionally think of as food, like toothpaste and baby wipes. A Chapstick you leave in the car might not seem like a big deal… until it’s the middle of the night and a bear is sitting in the front seat chomping on it. While visiting Yosemite, store all food, drinks, toiletries, and trash (anything with a scent) within arm’s reach of an awake person or secured in a building, bear canister, or food locker. You may store food inside a car during the day as long as windows are closed, doors are locked, and food is out of sight.
Speeding kills bears. If you see one of these signs in the park, it's more than just a warning. These signs are markers where bears have been struck or killed by vehicles. Obey speed limits, especially at night, and be aware of your surroundings. This includes outside of the park. Park boundaries don’t exist to bears, and their territories aren’t restricted to one side of the road.
Thank you for helping to keep Yosemite’s wildlife wild! If you spot a bear or a bear incident, please call the Save-A-Bear Hotline at 209-372-0322 or e-mail: yose_bear_mgmt@nps.gov.
Source & photo: NPS
