St. Mary campground closed temporarily due to increased bear activity
Linda Sappington
Bears at this time of year enter a phase called hyperphagia, a period of concentrated feeding to prepare for hibernation. To help avoid contact with bears, Glacier National Park visitors are reminded to keep their campground and developed areas clean and free of food and trash.
Linda Sappington
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News from Glacier National Park
WEST GLACIER – The St. Mary Campground, located on the east side of Glacier National Park, is closed temporarily. The campground has seen a recent increase in bear activity, creating a high potential for negative human/bear interactions. No incidents between humans and bears have been reported in the St. Mary Campground to date. It is unknown at this time when the campground will reopen.
Beginning Aug. 28, the campground was only open to hard-sided camping. Since that announcement, there has been increased bear activity in and around the campground. Efforts to haze the bears from the area have been unsuccessful. For public and bear safety, the campground will be temporarily closed until bear activity decreases.
At this time of year, bears are entering a phase called hyperphagia. It is a period of concentrated feeding to prepare for hibernation. This year there has been an exceptionally abundant crop of a variety of berries located in the campground, attracting bears to the area. There has been a shortage of berries in other areas of the park.
Glacier National Park is home to black and grizzly bears. Campers are reminded to keep campground and developed areas clean and free of food and trash. Regulations require that all edibles, food containers, and cookware be stored in a hard-sided vehicle or food locker when not in use, day or night. Visitors are required to place all trash in bear-proof containers and should report all bear sightings to a park ranger as soon as possible.
For more information about camping or hiking in bear country while recreating in Glacier National Park, visit http://www.nps.gov/glac/naturescience/bears.htm. For updated information about campgrounds and campground status, please visit http://home.nps.gov/applications/glac/cgstatus/cgstatus.cfm or contact the park at 406-888-7800.
