Olympic National Park Requires Bear Cans Throughout All Wilderness Areas

Olympic National Park has updated its wilderness food storage requirements — and the change directly impacts Pacific Northwest Trail hikers traveling through the park.

What’s Changed?

For many years, hard-sided food storage containers (bear canisters) were required along the PNT only if you planned to camp in:

  • High Divide / Seven Lakes Basin
  • The Wilderness Coast

Under new park guidance, approved hard-sided animal-resistant food containers are now required in most wilderness areas of Olympic National Park, including along the PNT corridor.

In practical terms, this means:

  • 🎒 If you’re overnighting anywhere in Olympic National Park wilderness on the PNT, plan to carry an approved hard-sided canister.
  • 🚫 Hanging food is not considered compliant in most areas.
  • 🏕️ Even if you are not camping in High Divide or on the Coast, the expanded requirement now applies.

Why the Change?

Olympic’s black bears are intelligent and highly food-motivated. As visitation increases, improper food storage can lead to bears becoming habituated to human food — which ultimately puts both wildlife and visitors at risk.

Expanding the hard-sided container requirement is intended to reduce food conditioning, prevent bear encounters, and protect the long-term health of the park’s wildlife populations.

Planning Ahead for Your PNT Trip

For 2026 PNT hikers, this represents a shift from what many older guidebooks and planning resources may reflect. Be sure to update your gear list before entering the park.

Olympic National Park encourages visitors to bring their own approved food storage containers. However:

  • Bear canisters may be available for loan from Olympic National Park wilderness information centers (while supplies last).
  • Canisters can also be rented from outfitters near the park, including Olympic Outdoor Center and Forks Outfitters.

Availability is not guaranteed, so planning ahead is strongly recommended.

As always, hikers should consult Olympic National Park’s official wilderness food storage page before their trip to confirm the most current regulations and approved container models.

 

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