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BEAR ACTIVITY UPDATE (July 16, 2026)
(Banff National Park East Gate to Bow Valley Provincial Park)
There continue to be steady sightings of bears throughout the Bow Valley and Kananaskis Country, especially along trails, roads, in and around town, and in the valley bottoms where most of their available food is located. On that note, it’s Berry Season and buffaloberries (Shepherdia) are starting to ripen up so bears will be focused on eating as many berries as possible so they can survive the winter. The berries are ripening well in the Bow Valley and bears were seen today eating berries down in K-Country. There are also a lot of black bear sows with young of the year cubs in the Bow Valley. People need to be extra diligent as the sows are going to be focused on feeding on the berries with their heads buried in the bushes. If people get to close to the cubs or sow this could cause a defensive interaction between the sow and people. People need to make sure they are using their voices frequently when out on the trail systems alerting bears of their presence, and be prepared to see bears on the trails and to respectfully give them space to feed undisturbed! These berries are an important food sources for bears and provide the nourishment and calories required for the upcoming winter. There have been several warnings and closures (see Current Warnings and Closures section below) due to close encounters with bears and families of bears on trails and at campgrounds. Mothers with cubs have a limit on their tolerance and may charge at people who get too close. If you like bears and want to keep them safe - give them lots of space, at least 100m at all times. RELATED ARTICLE: Alberta Parks warns of bluff-charging mama grizzly bear in Kananaskis Lakes area.
It is important to note that buffaloberries are often found in sunny areas along trails, roads, and recreation areas. Bears will have their heads down focused on eating berries and not paying attention, so it is up to all of us to make lots of noise to alert them of our presence to help avoid those surprise encounters, and never try to sneak past them on a trail. Trail users should also travel in a tight group of four or more people, be aware of their surroundings (especially in areas with poor visibility), watch and listen for bears and signs of bear activity, keep pets on a short leash at all times, and carry bear spray, keep it readily accessible, and know how to use it. Consider avoiding activities that involve travelling at high speed, such as running or cycling, as they increase the likelihood of a surprise encounter. Knowing what to do when you encounter a bear is also key! It is important to remember that bears can be encountered anywhere, anytime (not just in areas with an active warning or closure in place) so you should always be expecting to run into a bear whenever you head out on the trails in the Bow Valley and K-Country!
Roadside Bears: Bears and other wildlife continue to be seen on and near roads. The safety and well-being of wildlife is far more important than you getting that perfect picture. Remember to obey speed limits and slow down when passing wildlife but don’t stop and create bear jams. Stopping next to bears increases habituation which translates onto trails and in facility zones. YOU can help keep our bears wild and on the landscape by slowing down but not stopping. Never get out of your vehicle to get closer to a bear that is roadside. It stresses out and disturbs the bear, and is potentially dangerous for you, the bear and other motorists. Never feed wildlife or encourage wildlife to come closer to you or your vehicle. Give bears at least 100m of space at all times and do not linger near wildlife feeding roadside - keep moving along! Be extra vigilant at dawn, dusk and during night time hours to avoid collisions with wildlife. The Friends of Kananaskis Country have some great Tips for Roadside Wildlife Viewing for motorists and cyclists.
Two yearling grizzly bear cubs with their mother in K-Country on July 1, 2026.
Managing Wildlife Attractants: It is very important to properly manage wildlife attractants such as food and garbage while hiking, camping and at Day Use Areas. NEVER leave attractants unattended and don’t be the reason for wildlife having to be destroyed! Reminder to be diligent in keeping ALL wildlife attractants secure from bears including food, garbage, recycling, pet food and any other scented items. Lock them in vehicles, hard-sided trailers or bear-proof storage lockers and never leave these items unattended, even for a minute. Never leave food and scented items in tents as bears can easily access them. Always dispose of garbage in bear-proof bins. If you see garbage on the ground, pick it up and put it in a bear-proof bin. If the bin is full, take your garbage to another bin or take the garbage home with you, but NEVER leave garbage on the ground where it is accessible for wildlife! We can’t prevent bears from walking through our picnic areas and campsites, but we can certainly do our best not to give them a food reward or reason to linger!
At your picnic table: Do not let bears and other wildlife get any food rewards as a Fed Bear is a Dead Bear! If you are sitting at your table eating and a bear starts approaching your food and table, do your best to deter the bear by yelling and/or using your bear spray to prevent it from getting your food. If safe to do so, try moving your food into your hard-sided vehicle/trailer or locker nearby to prevent the bear from getting that food reward. Your safety and the bear’s life might depend on it!
ELK: Even though elk calving season is over, this is no time to become complacent. Mother elk will still aggressively defend their calves if they feel threatened by people getting too close! Never approach elk for any reason, stay at least 30 metres (3 school bus lengths) away from all elk and DO NOT TRY TO SNEAK PAST THEM on a trail! Even bikers should not be trying to sneak past elk on the trails. Keep pets on a leash and it is a good idea to be carrying your bear spray whenever you leave the house to go out for a walk, run or ride around Canmore. When walking with dogs, stay well clear of all elk (we recommend over 100m) and leave the area immediately. Mother elk will charge at dogs from a distance, even when on leash, in order to protect their offspring. RELATED ARTICLE: Tourist seriously injured after Yellowstone bison launches man 8 feet in the air.
VIEW CURRENT WARNINGS AND CLOSURES
Bear Warning - Kananaskis Lakes Trail Road and Area including all facilities and trails along the Kananaskis Lakes Trail (KLT) Road between Highway 40 and Upper Kananaskis Lake, and along the Spray Road between the KLT and Lower Kananaskis Lake.
WHY? Grizzly bears, including multiple bears with cubs of varying ages, are frequenting campgrounds and trails. A grizzly bear with her first litter of cubs has been exhibiting defensive behavior when surprised by people at close range. During these surprise encounters, she has perceived people as a threat and responded with bluff charges to warn them to back away and give her space.
Bear Closure - Upper Kananaskis Lake Circuit Trail (from North Interlakes Trailhead to White Spruce Day Use Area) and Mount Everest Expedition Trail due to multiple grizzly bears with cubs frequenting the area. This closure includes Everest Expedition Trail, and all portions of shoreline.
Bear Warning - Junction Falls Trail including Junction Creek trail and Tunnel o’ Fun route due to a bear that followed a group along Junction Falls Trail. Although an advisory is in place for this area, bears can be encountered at any time.
A reminder to please report any sightings of a bear, cougar, wolf or any aggressive wildlife in the Bow Valley or K-Country to Kananaskis Dispatch at 403-591-7755. In Banff, call Dispatch at 403.762.1470. They prefer to get first hand reports from the people who see the wildlife!
SOME THINGS TO ‘BEAR’ IN MIND
Some places like Lake Minnewanka near Banff (see restricted activity notice below) have seasonal trail restrictions in effect to increase public safety and minimize the displacement of grizzly bears from prime food sources at a critical time of the year. Hiking in a minimum group size of four that must stay together, carrying bear spray, and leaving your dogs at home are simple and effective ways to avoid dangerous interactions with bears. You should consider following these best practices anytime you are out in bear country!
WILDLIFE AMBASSADOR WORDS OF WISDOM
Wildlife Ambassador Derek talks about Shepherdia, the plant bears dream about all year long!
WEEKLY WILDLIFE AMBASSADOR WHEREABOUTS
In case you have not seen them yet, our amazing Volunteer Wildlife Ambassadors have been heading out onto trails and trailheads! You can find them talking to people about responsible trail use and staying safe while recreating in bear country. Note: their locations may change at the last minute. July 18 - Parks Day at Boulton Bridge Day Use Area in K-Country (12-3pm)
July 19 - MEC Store in Calgary at 830 – 10th Avenue SW (from 11am-3pm)
FOOD FOR THOUGHT?
Berry season is here and there have already been sightings of bears feasting on delicious ripe buffaloberries! This is a crucial feeding period for both black and grizzly bears and they take this job very seriously, eating up to 200,000 berries per day and focusing on it for over 20 hours per day! As such, bears will have their heads down feeding on berries. They can be very defensive of their berry bushes, especially if surprised. We need to make extra noise and be vigilant (that means NOT wearing headphones/earbuds) when travelling through bear country.
Shepherdia canadensis, more commonly known as Buffaloberry. Red berries are most common but they can also be orange or yellow. Photo taken in Canmore on July 14, 2026.
Bear scat can be an indication of bear activity in the area. During berry season bear scat looks a lot like strawberry jam! Keep an eye out for it on the trails and do not linger in areas with fresh scat. If you do stumble upon some fresh scat out on the trails, remember to be extra vigilant, make extra noise to alert potential bears of your presence, and consider turning around if you are not prepared to handle a possible encounter with a bear. Always have your bear spray readily accessible!
During berry season bear scat looks a lot like strawberry jam!
WILDLIFE IN THE NEWS
Grizzly bear monitoring project will run in Alberta through 2026.
8 people plead guilty to more than a dozen charges of illegal cougar and lynx hunting.
Black bear in Alaska lands a 40-pound king salmon, then lumbers off with its dinner.
Alaskan bear cub and wolf pup forgot they’re rivals in rare and beautiful moment.
Caught on camera: Bear steals golf clubs on B.C. course.
Hikers stay calm during close encounter with grizzly bear in Alaska.
Neighbours want answers after bear frequently seen in Colorado neighborhood is shot.
A bear in the backyard, coyote in the park — and an 8-year-old’s AI-built answer.
Buy the Environment a Coffee... Join the Biosphere's Summit Club!
Looking for a meaningful way to give back to the Bow Valley? Join the Biosphere Institute's Summit Club, our community of monthly donors helping protect the places we love. Whether it's conserving wildlife habitat, FireSmarting, inspiring climate action, or bringing neighbours together through community programs, your monthly gift creates lasting local impact.
Even a small monthly donation (about the cost of a coffee!) helps build a healthier, more resilient Bow Valley. As a Summit Club member, you'll also receive invitations to exclusive experiences, including our upcoming summer hike with Executive Director Gareth, along with other behind-the-scenes opportunities throughout the year! Together, we can invest in the future of the Bow Valley one month at a time. Click here to join now!
AND NOW SOME PAWS-ITIVE NEWS
We are happy to announce that the Keep Wildlife Alive Ambassador Project is back again this year! The Ambassadors have been going door-to-door in Canmore educating residents about the importance of removing wildlife attractants such as fruit trees (or at a minimum removing the fruit before it is ripe) and the Town of Canmore’s Fruit Tree Removal and Replacement Incentive Program.
Fruit trees and berry bushes attract bears into our neighbourhoods which puts people and wildlife at risk and accessing fruit trees is the number one reason why bears in the Bow Valley are relocated or killed. Please be proactive and remove berry bushes and fruit trees from your yard NOW before you attract a bear into town. It is your responsibility to make sure that bears do not have a reason to linger in your yard, resulting in bears being relocated or destroyed.
The removal incentive program reimburses 100% of the pre-tax cost of tree removal up to $500 per residential property and $1,000 per condo association or commercial property (for removal of 5 or more trees).
The replacement incentive program reimburses 100% of the pre-tax cost to replace removed trees with non-fruit-bearing alternatives, up to $500 per residential property or up to $1,000 per condo association or commercial property (for the replacement of 5 or more trees).
Keep an eye out for our amazing four Keep Wildlife Alive Ambassadors Graham, Susan, Brenda and Anna in their bright yellow shirts in the coming weeks and months throughout Canmore and Harvie Heights. Have a chat with them about how keeping your yard free of wildlife attractants can help keep people safe and reduce the number of bears that get relocated and killed for feeding in residential fruit trees.
There are limited funds available for both the removal and replacement incentives so act now before the money runs out AND before you attract a bear into town and get a large fine - and get the bear into trouble! Applications are still open while funds are available so click here to apply now!
From L to R: Keep Wildlife Alive Ambassadors Graham, Susan and Brenda (Missing: Anna).
UPCOMING EVENTS
July 18 - Parks Day 2026. Come to Parks Day 2026 hosted by Alberta Parks and the Friends of Kananaskis Country on Saturday July 18 from 12-3pm at Boulton Bridge Day Use Area in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. This free family friendly public event will have a variety of talks, games, interactive displays, a LIVE Interpretive Show, guided bear walks and much more! Our Wildlife Ambassadors will also be there with their hands-on interactive booth. Come on by, learn how to use bear spray and chat with them about responsible trail use, managing wildlife attractants, and how we can all work together to improve human-wildlife coexistence. Click here for the schedule of events and more info!
August 12 - Harnessing the Power of Food Workshop #2: Cooking Out of the Box!
What's in the box? Join us to find out! Gather for an evening of creativity, community, and delicious surprises as we transform a mystery selection of fresh, seasonal produce from the Bow Valley Food Alliance's Good Food Box program! We'll explore how to cook intuitively, embrace what's in season, and discover just how much is possible with a handful of local ingredients from the Good Food Box program that week.
Wednesday August 12 at 6pm at the Co+Kitchen in Canmore.
Sliding Scale Tickets: $0-50. Click here to register and buy your ticket now!
Please remember BEARS CAN BE ENCOUNTERED ANYWHERE, ANYTIME!
Report any sightings of a bear, cougar, wolf or any aggressive wildlife in Kananaskis Country or the Bow Valley to Kananaskis Dispatch at 403.591.7755