The Beta No One Tells You About Bear Canisters

Bear canisters are required in Yosemite, most of the Sierra, parts of the Rockies, and an expanding list of wilderness areas. You’re going to own one eventually, so here’s how to make peace with the cylinder that will take up 650 cubic inches of your pack.

Which one

The BV500 from Bear Vault is the most popular for good reason — widest opening, easy to see what’s inside, tool-free to open. The Garcia Bearikade is lighter but costs more and requires a coin to open in the dark at 2am. The Wild Ideas Bearikade is lighter still but expensive enough to hurt.

Packing it without losing your mind

Put your food in first, then pack around the canister — not the other way around. Round containers like the BV500 sit upright in the bottom of most 65L packs cleanly. Smash soft things (tortillas, pita, squeeze packets) in around the edges.

Where to put it at camp

On the ground, 200 feet from your tent, away from water. Not in a tree (bears can climb and Yosemite bears specifically have figured this out). Not under a rock overhang where it could roll. Just on flat ground — a bear that can’t open it will eventually give up and leave.

The lid situation

You need a coin or the back of a spoon to open most canisters. Keep one accessible. You will forget this at 6am when you want breakfast.