05/26/2026
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Important Safety Reminder - Be Bear Aware!
Seeing a black bear is often the highlight of visitors' Parkway experience, but it's extremely important to follow proper safety precautions when you encounter one. Bears are WILD animals and very active during spring and summer. Visitor behavior plays a major role in preventing dangerous encounters.
▪️Keep a safe distance - Never approach or attempt to interact with a bear. Photos are not worth a risky encounter. If your presence causes the bear to change its behavior or is watching you, you are too close. Being too close may promote aggressive behavior from the bear.
▪️Do NOT feed bears - Feeding bears can lead to the bear becoming too comfortable with human interaction. This is detrimental to the bear's safety and can lead to dangerous interactions with other visitors. If camping, store food, trash, and scented items properly. Make sure all food and trash are disposed properly and nothing is left behind.
▪️Be Prepared for Accidental Encounters - If you find yourself in close proximity to a black bear, don't run, running may trigger a chase response. Back away slowly in the opposition direction and wait for the bear to leave. If the bear is moving towards you, make yourself look bigger by raising your arms above your head and yell "hey bear" loudly. Get your bear spray out and ready. Back away only when the bear stops its approach. If a bear charges you, discharge bear spray directly at the bear.
▪️Dogs + Bears = Trouble - Dogs must be on a nonretractable leash (not to exceed 6 feet) at all times. Dogs are involved in the majority of all physical encounters involving people and black bears. If you see a bear, remove yourself and your dog from the situation safely. Do not let your dog bark at, harass, chase, or corner a bear.
▪️Drive Cautiously - Parkway speed limits are important for the safety of visitors and wildlife. Slow down and be prepared to make sudden stops. A black bear may be crossing just around a sharp curve.
📸 This photograph was taken by a park ranger using a professional zoom lens from a safe distance. The ranger did not attempt to get the bears attention. ✔️
