Top 7 Destinations For Thrilling (But Safe) Bear Encounters

Abstract

• The US hosts black bears, brown bears (grizzlies), and polar bears, with Glacier Nationwide Park having probably the most bear assaults.
• The Alaskan area is unique for polar bears (4,000-7,000 of them) whereas Kodiak Nationwide Wildlife Refuge is exclusive in that it homes 2,300 Kodiak bears.
• Make use of security tricks to see bears safely in Yellowstone, Grand Teton Nationwide park, and Katmai Nationwide Park & Protect.

North America has three bear species: black bears, brown bears (together with grizzlies), and polar bears. Whereas most dwell of their pure habitat, away from human civilization, there are some towns in the US where people live alongside bears, where this is considered normal.

Whereas the US hosts over 300,000 black bears and fewer than 33,000 brown bears, the distant Alaskan area is the unique sanctuary for polar bears, housing between 4,000 and seven,000 of those magnificent creatures.

Glacier National Park has the largest population of bears in a US National Park, however it additionally has probably the most recorded bear assaults. Whereas most bears attempt to keep away from people, they might be extra hostile in numerous conditions.

Seeing a bear is usually a matter of luck, however with details about the place and when to look, the probabilities of an encounter enhance. These are among the high locations within the US to see bears safely, providing thrilling (however protected) bear encounters.

It is essential to employ bear safety tips, together with by no means feeding bears and at all times packing meals up correctly in order to not appeal to them.

7

Alligator River Nationwide Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina

This refuge has the best focus of black bears within the jap United States and the world’s largest

Alongside the Atlantic Coast in Jap North Carolina, the Alligator River Nationwide Wildlife Refuge is among the premier habitats for the American black bear on the Jap Seaboard.

On the Murphy Peterson Wildlife Drive, locals compete to see who can depend the utmost variety of black bears in a single night. Open-air trams and different guided drives can be found for summer time excursions of the refuge.

Canoe excursions provide a serene expertise, permitting guests to paddle shady blackwater canals into the center of the refuge. A every day recreation go (usually $3-$5 every day) covers entrance, normal amenity charges, and day-use charges for the go proprietor on the refuge.

6

Grand Teton Nationwide Park, Wyoming

Grizzlies – Between 700–750 | Black Bears – Between 500 and 650

Within the northwest state of Wyoming, Grand Teton Nationwide Park is a well-liked summer time vacation spot for mountaineering, mountaineering, backcountry tenting, and fishing. Put together to be thrilled by the plentiful wildlife within the excessive mountains of the Grand Teton Nationwide Park, the place sightings of black bears and grizzly bears are commonplace.

When recreating in Grand Teton, guests should keep alert and be able to encounter bears all through the park. A few of the hottest trails journey by glorious bear habitat. Whereas many tour firms provide wildlife safaris in Grand Teton, with a great likelihood of recognizing bears, none can truly assure an encounter. That is, nevertheless, the most secure technique to see and have a protected bear encounter within the wild.

Bears will normally transfer out of the best way in the event that they hear folks approaching, so making some human sound is important. A stunned bear is extra more likely to act defensively or offensively. Clapping palms frequently or calling out “hey bear!” are safer methods to make your human presence recognized.

A price (starts at $20) is required to enter Grand Teton Nationwide Park, however no automobile registration is required.

5

Yellowstone Nationwide Park, Wyoming

Grizzlies – Estimated 965 | Black Bears – Between 500 and 650

Yellowstone is an unlimited and awe-inspiring nationwide park within the US, with practically 3,500 sq. miles of wilderness in a volcanic sizzling spot. Its institution in 1872 as the primary Nationwide Park of America is a testomony to its grandeur. The John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway, a scenic highway that winds by the wilderness, connects Yellowstone Nationwide Park, solely 10 miles north of Grand Teton Nationwide Park.

Yellowstone is among the greatest locations on the planet to see bears of their pure habitat. From the deepest backcountry to the boardwalks round Outdated Trustworthy, all of Yellowstone is bear habitat.

4

Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park, North Carolina & Tennessee

Black Bears – Roughly 1,900

Spanning the picturesque border between North Carolina and Tennessee, Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park is an unlimited expanse of pure magnificence, house to lush forests, meandering streams, majestic rivers, and breathtaking waterfalls.

As one of many largest protected areas within the jap USA, the park gives a singular alternative to witness black bears of their wild, pure environment, from the bottom valleys to the best peaks.

Excessive bear exercise can happen in any space, and security is rarely assured. Bears sometimes emerge after hibernation in late March or early April, and the shortage of pure meals leads them to be lured by the scent of human-related meals. It’s, subsequently, important that guests comply with best practices for living and recreating in bear habitats.

Numerous tour operators arrange nature and wildlife excursions that promise plentiful wildlife views and are normally the most secure possibility for exploring the nationwide park with the goal of seeing bears on this nice wilderness.

Though there’s no entrance fee, parking tags are required for all autos parking for longer than quarter-hour within the nationwide park (beginning at $15 per day).

3

Kodiak Nationwide Wildlife Refuge, Alaska

Kodiak bears – Estimated 2,300

Kodiak Nationwide Wildlife Refuge is situated within the Kodiak Archipelago in southwestern Alaska. It’s a densely forested space house to the most important acknowledged subspecies of the brown bear, the Kodiak bear.

As per the Alaska Division of Fish and Sport, the Kodiak bear’s habitat is really unique. These bears, remoted from different bear species for about 12,000 years, reside solely on the islands within the Kodiak Archipelago. This distinctive and uncommon standing underscores the significance of their conservation.

For many guests, one of the best ways to see Kodiak bears is thru bear-viewing flightseeing journeys. These journeys, supplied by air constitution firms like Kingfisher Aviation and tour operators within the metropolis of Kodiak, present a singular and protected technique to observe these magnificent creatures of their pure habitat.

2

Denali Nationwide Park, Alaska

Grizzlies – Estimated 300–350 | Black Bears – Estimated 200

With its tundra terrain, spruce forest, and glaciers, Denali Nationwide Park is probably the most celebrated park in Alaska. Its centerpiece is the 20,310-foot-high Denali (Mount McKinley), which attracts hundreds of thousands of vacationers. Denali National Park is a true wilderness offering lots of outdoor recreation inside the nice state of Alaska.

Denali Nationwide Park has a wholesome inhabitants of grizzly bears who roam throughout an unlimited territory as solitary animals or small household items of moms and cubs. Black bears additionally inhabit Denali Park, sometimes in forested areas within the Kantishna Hills and on the south facet of the Alaska Vary.

Taking a bus into the park gives the most effective likelihood to identify a grizzly bear. Sable Cross makes it particularly straightforward to see the bears with out leaving the security of a automobile.

1

Katmai Nationwide Park & Protect, Alaska

Brown Bears – Estimated 2,200

Katmai Nationwide Park and Protect in southwest Alaska is one other true wilderness vacation spot and one of many premier brown bear viewing areas on the planet. It’s named after Mount Katmai, its fundamental attraction and a dwell stratovolcano.

The park is known for an abundance of sockeye salmon and the brown bears that feed on them. Viral movies of bears snapping up salmon atop a speeding waterfall are more than likely filmed within the park on the iconic Brook Falls, where up to 50 bears can be observed fishing for salmon.

Bear viewing right here consists of strolling on comparatively flat paths and platform views. The Brooks Falls viewing platform might be busy at occasions, although it is definitely worth the wait to get a front-row view of the motion. There are different platforms too.

Visits are self-guided, with park service rangers on website to assist and hold issues operating easily. There are additionally every day ranger-led excursions within the park by authorized tour operators.