New Food Storage Regulations at Olympic National Park

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Many parks offer places to hang food and other smelly items that may attract wildlife.

If you're planning a backcountry trip in Olympic National Park this summer, be sure to prepare for the new food storage requirements.

Bear canisters are now required at the following areas within the park: The Sol Duc/Seven Lakes Basin area, including all camps adjacent to and enclosed by the Deer Lake Trail, High Divide Trail, and Sol Duc River Trail (High Divide Loop), as well as adjacent camps along the Mink Lake Trail, East High Divide Trail, and Cat Basin area. Bear canisters also are required in the Royal Lake/Royal Basin area.

The canisters are also required in all areas where food cannot be hung at least 12 feet high and 10 feet out from the nearest tree trunk.

If you're traveling along the coast, you will be required to have a hard-sided foot container, like a bear canister, for all food, garbage, and scented items. The park hopes this will keep raccoons - who have learned how to get into food bags- at bay.

With backcountry and backpacking destinations, it is important to to keep garbage and all scented articles away from wildlife. Also be sure to be aware of areas that have more specific regulations - certain regulations include storing items such as all food, garbage, and scented items such as toothpaste, deodorant, sunscreen, toiletries, and even lip balm, in bear canisters, hung from park bear wires, or hung at least 12 feet high and 10 feet out from the nearest tree trunk.