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Food Storage

Save a Bear - Store Your Food Properly

Black Bears have a keen sense of smell, around 7 times greater than a blood hound´s. Combine this with their excellent memory for food sources and you have an animal with a unique capability to find YOUR FOOD or anything that smells or looks like food. Bears will break into cars and tents, creating major dollars of damage, in search for what they think is food. They will even break into cars if they see something resembling a food storage container, even if it is clean and empty. Covering your ice chest with a blanket will not work; they recognize the shape as a food source. They are very smart and resourceful. Bears break into an average of 100 cars every year searching for food. It can happen to you so be extra cautious.

Some items to be aware of include but are not limited to:

ALL FOOD ITEMS	sunscreen	toothpaste
shampoo/conditioner	soap	hairspray
lotions	gum	candy
candy wrappers	chapstick	cosmetics
canned goods	bottles	drinks
ice chests (even if empty)	unclean pots & pans	used dishwashing towels
air fresheners	trash	crumbs
any other items that have a scent

Metal food storage lockers have been provided throughout the park due to this sensitive food issue. Bears can smell food in the lockers but cannot get into them when latched. For your safety and the safety and longevity of the bears please be advised to use and latch the food storage lockers, even when you are in your campsite. Help us keep our bears wild!

Backcountry Food Storage

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Food Storage Locker Information

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Yosemite Reservations

Testimonials

“I went on the highsierra camp loop in 1956 with a guide and loved it. It was the beginning of my love for Yosemite and the hihg country. I am now lucky to be able to do it again in 2010. I can´t wait to do it again. Wonderful experience. I am 78 years old and still can hike 8-10 miles. So you are never too old!!”

– Elaine C. in Columbia, CA

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