Bear Safety: Tips to Stay Safe Outdoors

These tips will keep you, and the bears, safe while you're visiting Mammoth Lakes.

Spending time outdoors here often means encountering wildlife, including the American black bear, the only bear species in the area. While seeing a bear in the wild can be a memorable experience, knowing how to respond, and how to prevent encounters in the first place, is essential for both your safety and theirs.

Black bears in Mammoth Lakes can range in color from black to brown to even blonde. They are generally not aggressive, but they are still wild animals. When bears become accustomed to human food or presence, it can lead to dangerous situations for both people and wildlife. Respecting their space and keeping them wild is key.

What to Do If You See a Bear in Mammoth Lakes

If you encounter a bear, stay calm and follow these basic safety guidelines:

Keep your distance and never approach the bear
Do not run
Make loud noises to scare the bear away
Back away slowly while facing the bear
Never get between a mother bear and her cubs

two American black bears walking amongst trees in Mammoth Lakes

How to Prevent Bear Encounters While Camping

Leaving food out at camp for convenience, or to attract smaller animals, might seem harmless, but feeding wildlife (intentionally or not) can lead to dangerous consequences. Bears that associate humans with food can become aggressive, which ultimately puts both people and the animals at risk.

Simply put: never feed the bears.

Here’s how to avoid accidentally attracting one to your campsite:

1. Practice Safe Food Storage

Even if you don’t intend to feed wildlife, leaving food unattended is enough to attract a bear. Always store food and scented items, including toiletries like soap, shampoo, and toothpaste, in designated food storage lockers available at most campgrounds when not in use.

2. Keep a Clean Camp

Cooking outdoors is part of the camping experience, but leftover scraps and residue can quickly attract wildlife. Clean all surfaces, dispose of food waste properly, and eliminate lingering food smells after every meal.

3. Don’t Cook or Store Food in Your Tent

This may seem obvious, but every year there are reports of bears tearing through tents to reach food—sometimes something as small as a candy bar left in a pocket. Even the scent alone can draw a bear in, so keep all food far from where you sleep.

4. Secure All Trash

Food waste and trash carry strong scents that attract bears. Always dispose of garbage in locked dumpsters and properly secure them. Never leave trash at your campsite, in your tent, or inside your vehicle

5. Skip the Bird Feeders

Bird feeders can easily attract bears. During the summer months, birds have plenty of natural food sources, so consider using a bird bath instead if you want to attract or view wildlife safely.

6. Don’t Leave Scented Items in Your Car

Bears have an incredible sense of smell and can break into vehicles if they detect food or scented items. Remove all food, wrappers, coolers, and even non-food items like air fresheners from your car.

7. Use a Bear Canister for Backpacking

Many areas around Mammoth Lakes require bear-resistant canisters for backpacking. Even where food hanging is allowed, bears have learned how to access it. Canisters remain the most reliable way to protect your food and keep wildlife safe. Always check regulations with the Inyo National Forest before heading out.

How to Stay Safe During a Bear Encounter

American black bears are not typically aggressive, but they are still wild animals. If you encounter one, keep your distance and avoid approaching. Use binoculars or a zoom lens to observe safely.

Follow these guidelines to protect yourself and your group:

1. No Bear Selfies

Getting close to a bear for a photo—or turning your back on it—is not worth the risk. Keep your distance and use a zoom lens instead.

2. Never Get Between a Sow and Her Cubs

Mother bears are highly protective and more likely to react aggressively. If you encounter cubs, leave the area calmly and avoid getting between them and their mother.

3. Make Loud Noises

Bears that become comfortable around people pose a greater risk. If you encounter one in a developed area, make noise—yell, clap, or bang objects together—to encourage it to move on.

4. Never Surround a Bear

If you’re in a group, stay together and make sure the bear has a clear escape route. Avoid cornering or surrounding it.

5. Don’t Run from a Bear

Running can trigger a chase response. Instead, stand your ground, make yourself appear larger, and back away slowly while facing the bear.

5. Fight Back if Necessary

Although rare, attacks can happen. If a black bear becomes aggressive, experts recommend fighting back—aiming for the face using bear spray, rocks, or anything available.

Note: This guidance differs for other bear species, such as grizzlies, found in other regions.

Are There Grizzly Bears in Mammoth Lakes?

No—only American black bears live in Mammoth Lakes. While they are generally less aggressive than grizzlies, they should still be treated with caution and respect.

Spending time outdoors in Mammoth Lakes is an incredible experience, and wildlife encounters are part of what makes it so special. By following these simple guidelines, you can help protect yourself while also preserving the natural behavior of the bears that call this place home.

Respect Wildlife. It's a Mammoth Thing.