Black bears inhabit almost all parts of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) corridor. Usually, black bears are shy creatures that keep their distance, and seeing one on your hike can be an uncommon thrill. However, there are circumstances when bears can become involved in human-bear conflict, and dangerous situations for humans and bears can arise. Learn more about how you (and the bears) can stay safe.
Your report will help reduce human/bear conflicts on the A.T. Reported bear incidents are shared with our land management partners and listed on our Trail Updates page.
Please submit a report if a bear:
Much of the A.T. is prime black bear habitat. Bear populations are increasing in all A.T. states and bear encounters are on the rise on the Trail. Properly preparing before you hit the Trail will not only help you worry less and have more fun, but it will also help protect other hikers and bears.
Food storage requirements are in place on over half the A.T.
Requirements:
Improperly stored food and trash or food scraps left in camp may lead to a bear becoming habituated to human food. Once habituated, bears often lose their fear of humans and can become aggressive in pursuit of human food. Aggressive bears that threaten or injure campers are euthanized. Whether a bear is fed intentionally or unintentionally, a fed bear is a dead bear.
If you choose not to carry a hard-sided bear canister, be prepared to hang your food using a proper PCT-style bear hang. But beware: lack of adequate trees, the complexity of this method, and end-of-day fatigue cause frequent user error (plan for this to take at least 45 minutes once in camp). Bears have learned to defeat even the best PCT hangs in a variety of ways along the A.T.
10 Reasons to Carry a Bear Can on the A.T. (PDF) Learn a PCT-Style Bear Hang
BearWise was developed by state agency bear biologists who wanted to make sure that no matter where people lived, played or traveled, they got the same consistent message about coexisting with bears. Visit the BearWise website to learn more about bear behavior, safety while hiking in bear country, and how to properly store food and scented items at night.
While attacks on humans are extremely rare, a startled bear or a bear who has received food rewards from humans may react aggressively. Mother bears with cubs may also act defensively.
When you are in camp the best defense against a bear encounter is preparing and storing food properly and keeping a clean camp.
Food storage regulations are in place on over half of the A.T.
The ATC has adopted a new policy recommending all overnight Appalachian Trail visitors carry a bear-resistant food storage container as a vital part of their backpacking gear.
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Anything with an added scent or discernible, not naturally occurring smell, and cookware, should be considered a “smellable” and properly stored in your bear canister at night. This includes:
The A.T. is changing. There are more people on the Trail than ever before. That, combined with increasing bear populations (in some A.T. states, the bear population has increased 1000+% since the 1990s), means that we have to adapt our hiking practices to respond to changing conditions to protect hikers, bears, and the Trail.
Plan out your camp using the 70 Big Steps (Bearmuda) Triangle method: where you sleep should be 70 big steps (200 feet) from where you cook and eat, and your bear canister should be 70 big steps away from where you sleep and where you cook and eat.
Make sure your canister is securely closed and locked and walk it 70 big steps away, and that’s it! Some important tips:
Learn more about the Bear Canister Lending Program.
Ursacks are certified as bear-resistant containers by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC). However, the ATC has received reports of bears shredding Ursacks in North Carolina and Tennessee. On national forest land south of Shenandoah National Park and in Shenandoah National Park, Ursacks must be properly hung just like other non-bear resistant stuff sacks or in bear boxes or on bear cables or poles where provided. In Great Smoky Mountains National Park, they must be hung from the provided bear cables.
If you decide to carry bear spray on the A.T. it is critical to learn how to use it safely before you start your hike, understand when it is most effective, and understand the consequences of using bear spray incorrectly. Learn more about bear spray and how to use it here.
Bear canisters are the food storage method that provides the most flexibility and surety for camping anywhere along the A.T. – no trees required. You can try a bear canister for free or at a low cost along a few sections of the Trail.
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In Spring 2025, two bears that appear to have sarcoptic mange (Sarcoptes scabiei) were reported in the Triple Crown area of Virginia near the A.T. Virginia is seeing an increase in mange in black bears. Help keep bears healthy by report sightings of bears with mange to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.
If you see a bear with mange along the A.T. in Virginia, please contact the Virginia wildlife conflict helpline at (855) 571-9003. Do not approach, feed, or attempt to treat the animal with medication.
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Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources