black bears breaking into tents, getting into food prompts closure around lake minnewanka campsites and hiking trails
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a black bear enters a tent at yoho lake backcountry campground on july 7, 2025.
postmedia calgary
parks canada has closed several hiking areas and backcountry campsites around lake minnewanka after multiple incidents involving black bears approaching campsites in search of food.
a banff national park facebook post shared on tuesday stated that lake minnewanka trail, aylmer pass trail and campgrounds lm8, lm9, lm11, lm20, lm22 and lm31 have been closed to travel until further notice.
“black bears in the area are displaying food-seeking behaviour,” the post reads. it added that no entry is permitted and violators could face fines up to $25,000.
in an email, parks canada shared that there have been multiple incidents in early june of bear activity around campsites resulting in damaged tents and food getting eaten.
on june 6, staff confirmed that a black bear damaged and accessed an unoccupied tent at the lm9 backcountry campsite along lake minnewanka. while other campers were in the area, no one saw or interacted with the bear, the email reads.
over the weekend of june 13 and 14, parks canada received reports of additional similar incidents in the lake minnewanka backcountry.
on june 13, two tents were found damaged at the same campsite and a bag and food accessed at a neighbouring campsite. staff closed the campsites and evacuated visitors, moving them to other campgrounds as space permitted.
on june 14, two unoccupied tents were found damaged at lm20. staff confirmed that bear activity was the likely cause.
“there have been no aggressive encounters or direct human-wildlife interactions reported, and all tent-related incidents were unwitnessed. however, black bears have been observed in the area,” the email reads.
bear safety steps
staff reiterated that bear encounters can happen anywhere in banff national park, at any time of year. in the email, they encouraged visitors to remain alert and exercise the follow safety precautions:
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- visitors are responsible for their own safety and must plan accordingly. always carry bear spray and know how to use it.
- secure all food and wildlife attractants in wildlife-proof storage lockers or vehicles. never leave food, garbage or items with a scent in your tent. do not leave any wildlife attractants unattended in backpacks or tents.
- keep pets leashed at all times.
- travel in groups of four or more whenever possible. in the backcountry, consider carrying a satellite communication device.
- never approach or feed wildlife. learn more about responsible visitor behaviour on the parks canada website.
- respect all closures and report bear encounters to banff dispatch: 403-762-1470.
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