Trail Wide – Bear Safety & Food Storage
A.T. Trailwide Updates
Alert
2022 Update
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) recommends all overnight hikers use a bear-resistant personal food storage container approved by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee for the duration of their time on the Appalachian Trail. Bear canisters are the most effective tool to reduce negative interactions with bears along the Trail and keep you, your food, and bears safe on the A.T.
For information about bear safety, free bear canister lending programs along the Trail, and proper backcountry food storage, visit our Bear Safety page. Please use the Bear Incident Report Form form to report any bear incidents.
2020 Update
Improper food storage can lead to conflicts between bears and humans on the A.T. Carry a bear-resistant personal food storage container to reduce negative interactions and keep you, your food, and bears safe when camping on the A.T.
For more information, visit our black bear page. Please use the Bear Incident Report Form form to report any bear incidents. Your report will help reduce human/bear conflicts on the A.T.