A tourist recently visiting Grand Teton National Park narrowly escaped a charging grizzly bear. A split-second decision no doubt saved his life!
Here’s what happened, along with some tips every RVer should know to stay safe in bear country.
A close call
Social media coordinator Molly Hagan of Backcountry Safaris Jackson Hole was among about 50 onlookers who’d gathered. They’d spotted a large boar grizzly ambling along the roadside.
As the bear huffed and lumbered closer, one unaware tourist hopped out of his Kia. Too late, he realized his car door locked as he exited. The bear continued his approach and soon stood near the passenger side of the hapless tourist’s vehicle.
With no time to spare, the man instinctively dove headfirst through his driver’s side open window. He managed to tuck his feet inside just as the bear passed by. Amazingly, both man and grizzly walked away without a scratch.
Ms. Hagan captured the dangerous event on camera. You can see the grizzly bear approaching on the right side of the photo.
Situational awareness
RV travel often means scenic drives. Bears are part of the scenery in Grand Teton and many other national parks, too. Visitors should always scan their surroundings before stepping out of a vehicle. If you spot a bear (or other dangerous wild animal) keep your windows up and doors locked. Only when you’re certain it’s safe, exit.
Follow NPS guidelines
The National Park Service advises maintaining at least 100 yards (300 feet) from any bear or wolf. (This is about the length of a football field.) If you see one closer, stay locked inside your vehicle. When outside your vehicle hiking, etc., quietly back away from the bear. Resist the urge to snap that perfect selfie.
What about that one-in-a-million photo? Use the zoom feature on your smartphone or camera. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!
Secure your RV
Even when parked, treat your RV like a hard‑sided food locker. This means you should store all scented items (i.e., food, toiletries, trash) in bear‑resistant containers or inside your locked rig. Never leave windows or vents open when you’re away from your rig, even briefly.
After investigating how a Tahoe bear recently entered an RV and injured the owner, it’s safest to keep your RV door locked even when home! See article here.
Bear spray
In grizzly country, bear spray is your best non‑lethal defense. Keep it within easy reach. Do not tuck it away in an overhead cabinet. Take the spray with you if you leave your rig. Use a belt or chest clip for easy access. Do not put the bear spray inside a backpack.
Familiarize yourself with the removal of the spray’s safety clip and aim low, if possible. Direct the spray toward the bear’s feet at around 30 feet distance. Check out this video.
If a grizzly bear charges
- Do not run. Bears can outrun you. Running may trigger a predatory instinct.
- Stand your ground. Talk calmly and back away slowly.
- Use your spray when the bear is within range.
If contact occurs, lie flat on your stomach, legs apart, hands over your neck. Play dead until the grizzly leaves. (Note: Playing dead is not recommended when confronted by a black bear! Instead, fight back with sticks, rocks, knife, etc.)
Take a class
If you happen to visit an area where park rangers offer a bear safety class, take it. Selected Wyoming park officials sometimes use a “robotic bear” for training campers. This is an eye-opening experience, for sure. Learn more here.
Do you carry bear spray when you adventure in your RV? Have you ever had to use it? Tell us in the comments below.
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RVT1216b
We were preparing for a trip from CA to the Tetons & Yellowstone NP last spring and I was shopping for some bear spray on Amazon. When I attempted to order one that was recommended Amazon said that it was not allowed to be shipped to me in CA. I took that to mean that it worked too well as intended! LOL! CA prevented me from buying a vacuum cleaner bag a few years ago…imagine that!
One of many reasons to avoid California…eh? Elbows up.
So glad to NOT see you here!
I just bought bear spray in Marina California – FYI
I just checked Amazon, and I can have bear spray delivered to my California home overnight (I’m a. Prime member). Don’t know why they would not deliver to you.
Haven’t spent much time in high population bear country – other than here in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula where I have decades of experience with the local black bear population. I don’t carry bear spray. I do carry a .380 when walking with my dog outside urban areas – cougars, wolves, coyotes going after my dog concern me more (a golden retriever doesn’t have to worry about eagles – smaller dogs do). Other than spring and early summer when food is scarce (or a mama bear anytime), local black bears want to get away as much as you want them to go away. So just get out of their way and make sure your dog does too.
Turons can create more bear problems than the bears do on their own.
We like to be prepared: mosquito spray, snake repellant, bear spray, cattle prod, .45. Had to use the snake repellant once but it was totally ineffective.
The .45 aint.
No samurai sword and bazooka?
Thank you for relating this cautionary story, Gail! Yes, when in bear territory we carry an air horn and bear spray. If a bear has been seen in our area, then we remove the clip from the spray when we are outside, walking dog #3, whatever, so we can quickly use it, if needed. Have a great day and safe travels!
You can’t fix Stupid!
Yep. Classic Touron!
Umm, 100 yards (300 ft). OK. “(This is about 3 football fields.)” No, even this non-fan of football knows it is 1 football field.
Thanks, Anne. I fixed it. Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
I worked in Grand Teton Park and Yellowstone for three years and never had a problem. The bears want to avoid people. The people just need common sense. When I hike in black bear country, I do not carry bear spray. I do now carry bear spray in Yellowstone, but have never come close to needing to use it- I have bacpacked there in nearly every year since 1980. Bear spray wasn’t even available until maybe around 1990.