I've heard a rumor?

[boukrev]

Ok I would like to see if anyone else has heard that pop-ups are not aloud to camp in known bear areas or have been denied a camping spot at a campground?



Gregg

[harleywolf]

I

[austinado16]

So what's the best way to camp "bear safe" in a PUP since you've got a fridge full of food and other stuff that's flavor-FULL to a bear like toothpaste, cooking spices, and maybe supplimental coolers full of stuff, etc.?

Coolers can go in the TV, of course and be covered so they can't be visually identified as coolers, but what about your frigde full, and whatever else?

[dthurk]

I believe Yellowstone has some campgrounds in which PUPs are not permitted because of the bear problem.  I would think there are others.

I'd look at this as a safety issue, not as a discrimination issue.  It's unlikely a determined bear will get into a hardside TT.  If it smells any kind of food around your campsite, they'll be in the PUP pretty fast.  If you're careful with your food and cooking gear, you may get away with it, but it only takes one miscalculation to get you in trouble.  Don't blame the bear if you do have problems with them.

[SheBantam]

The rules?? Try just using coolers and storing them all in the TV.

Heard of Maslow's Heirarchy of needs? Food and shelter are among biggest  concerns not only to man but also to other animals. and in this day and age where man is encroaching more and more on the domain that used to be held by our wildlife making their lands smaller and smaller.  And the people who thought (and some still think) it was cute to feed the wildlife...these animals are now unafraid of man.  

This is really thier land we are using for our entertainment.  And just as bungee jumping is entertainment and is safe when done correctly with the right equipment, camping with bears can be a dangerous sport, and we have to use comon sense.

This is also the age of torte lawyers (sorry if any one here is in that profession), these guys and gals have people looking for "accidents" so they can sue someone.  So no wonder the people who own or run campgrounds are not "gunning for bear", and wanting people who camp there to be safe but on the same token, want to keep the lawyers out of it.

I cannot blame the NPS for not allowing tenting in the campgrounds in certain areas.  There are private campgrounds in these areas, that do allow tenting. So if I ahve to drive a little further to get into the NP, at least I am safe.

[AustinBoston]

1) There is a HUGE difference between grizzly bears and black bears.  While very rarely, a black bear will kill a person, a grizzly will sometimes go out of it's way to kill people for food.

2) A campground that suggests locking your cooler in your car doesn't really have a bear problem; a campground with real bear problems will fine you if you have a cooler anywhere except a bear box.

3) Campgrounds that don't allow pop-ups because of bears also don't allow tents because of bears.  In other words, they only allow hardsided RVs.  The only place I have heard of this is Yellowstone NP.

4) There are campgrounds that don't allow pop-ups because they are snobs.

Austin

[backpacker3]

A few years ago at Yellowstone while camping, a bear folded over the rear door of a car with a cooler in it so I really don't think a determinded bear would have any probem getting into a TT or PU or car. Keep as clean a campsite as possible and think smart. A few years ago I started to carry one of those small air horn cans and believe you me, they work better than pepper spray. Just got back from a backpacking trip where a bear was snooping around a tent at a lake and one blast from that air horn and he was on his way. As with any CG, certain restrictions may apply, check if possible before you leave and have a great trip.

[CajunCamper]

I had heard the same thing about Yellowstone not allowing pop-ups. I do know that you can tent camp in Yellowstone with a backcountry permit. I am also fairly certain that you can camp in  your pop-up in all campgrounds in Grand Teton NP which borders Yellowstone. The reason is, Grizzly's are rare in Grand Teton. You may consider camping in Teton and just driving into Yellowstone during the day.

Good Luck

CajunCamper

[AustinBoston]

Time for specific information about Yellowstone.  Only one campground forbids pop-ups.  See The NPS Yellowstone Camping site and the Xanterra site (they operate the campgrounds) for more info, but the NPS site includes the statement "Fishing Bridge RV Park is the only campground offering water, sewer, and electrical hookups, and it is for hard-sided vehicles only (no tents or tent-trailers are allowed)," and the Xanterra site says "It's designed for hard-sided units only..."

It doesn't seem to be an issue with bears, but creating a canvas-free (aka snob-zone) RV park.

Austin

[Funrover]

Sadly we have a snob zone here in CO.. but there is so  much great camping around it I wouldn't stay there anyway  LOL!!!

Yellowstone doesn't allow popups.. but I know areas in Montana do that ave bears!

[grcooperjr]

The KOA in West Yellowstone Mont. is a great place to camp. it's only 5 miles or so from the west gate of the park. Been there many time on or motorclcyes with no issues

[AustinBoston]

Yellowstone doesn't allow popups...

I thought replying without reading was MY trademark...

Yellowstone doesn't allow pop-ups in ONE of their campgrounds.

Austin

[CajunCamper]

I had to do it. I had to call and ask why no tents or soft sided pop-ups in the Fishing Bridge campground and they told me because of the high bear activity in that area. But you can set up your tent or pop-up just five miles down the road at another campground. Sounds fishy to me.

[Funrover]

I thought replying without reading was MY trademark...

Yellowstone doesn't allow pop-ups in ONE of their campgrounds.

Austin

LOL  well now you have company..LOL   I thought it was all, that was my understanding anyway!

[boukrev]

I have contacted the Yellow stone park and hope fully Ill get the skinny on this . I do know about bears and camping and will say it does not matter what you are in a determined bear will get your food. I was camping in Alaska and a grizzly got two people that were in a hard sided trailer by ripping it to shreds. I f you need any convincing go to Yosemite and watch the bear movies.


Gregg