Respect Wildlife
Be Bear Aware
Tahoe National Forest is black bear country. With their keen sense of smell, bears are naturally attracted to garbage and other sources of human food in your camping cooler. Proper food storage means all garbage and foods are in a hard-sided vehicle or bear proof storage container. Do your part to help keep bears wild and visitors safe:
- Keep a clean campsite. Store food and garbage out of sight and in closed vehicles.
- Never put food scraps or litter in the campfire; it attracts bears and skunks.
- Don't keep food, medicine, chap-stick, shampoo – or anything that smells - in tents or sleeping areas.
- Store stoves, barbeques, and cooking tools in a vehicle or secure place when not using. Do not pour used cooking oil or food remnants on the ground.
- Some bears also target motor oil, insect repellant, liquor and other things that look like food. Make sure you put these items away.
Know Before You Go
Being outdoors means being with wildlife. Learn how you can do your part to be bear aware and keep bears wild in the Tahoe National Forest.
Bear-Resistant Food Canisters
With forethought and planning, it’s amazing how much food you can fit into a canister. If you choose the right foods and repackage them, you can maximize canister space. It takes a little effort and time but the results are rewarding.
Tahoe Interagency Bear Team
The Tahoe Interagency Bear Team is a is a partnership between the United States Forest Service, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California State Parks, Nevada Department of Wildlife, and Tahoe Regional Planning Agency.