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BEAR ACTIVITY UPDATE (July 30, 2026)

(Banff National Park East Gate to Bow Valley Provincial Park)

Both black and grizzly bears, including family groups, continue to be been seen throughout the Bow Valley and Kananaskis Country, feeding on ripe buffaloberries and other natural vegetation in residential backyards, and along trails, campgrounds and day use areas. This has resulted in more warnings and closures being put in place.

Be prepared and on the lookout for bears feeding on buffaloberries while you recreate, as many berry bushes are found along popular trails. Making lots of noise is the best way to alert bears of your presence and it gives them time to clear the area. That being said, bears will be focused on eating berries and even if you make noise, bears may not move off berry patches. You should be expecting close encounters during berry season and always have good situational awareness. Always be aware of your surroundings and give bears the space they need (at least 100 m or 10 school bus lengths) to forage undisturbed in this crucial, short window of time. It is a good idea to find out where the bear warnings are and plan to avoid these areas in order to reduce your risk of encounters.

Here is another recent viral video of two hikers with an off-leash dog in Banff National Park. The main takeaways from this encounter: Always keep your pets on a leash and DO NOT video tape encounters. You should be solely focused on your safety and properly handling the encounter, not getting a video for more followers and likes on social media. WildSmart chatted with the Bow Valley Insider about this encounter here: Daughter of Banff's Famous "Boss" Bear at Centre of Viral Off-Leash Dog Encounter.

To trail users - If a bear is feeding along a trail, do not disturb it, and do not try to sneak past it. Wait until it leaves, turn around, or find another way around giving it lots of space. It is not fair to the bear if you spray it while it is feeding and minding its own business just so you can walk past it. Remember you are in their backyard, not yours, so if they are behaving and doing what they are supposed to, we need to respect that, give them space (at least 100m) and leave them alone.

IMPORTANT: Bears can and will be encountered on busy trails. If a bear is walking down the trail towards you (and if safe to do so), simply try moving off of the trail to let them pass, but always have your bear spray out and ready just in case. If the bear continues past, you were just in the way. If the bear turns to follow you, there is more going on and you should have your bear spray out and be ready to spray the bear.

Mountain bikers and Trail Runners who are moving quickly (and often quietly) need to be making lots of noise (yelling and shouting) on the trails. Bears are feeding on berries very close to trails and bikers/runners are coming up on them quickly with little warning to the bears. In addition to letting wildlife know they are coming down the trail (by making noise), bikers/runners should slow down to avoid surprise encounters with wildlife, especially around blind corners, at the tops of hills, or in areas with thick vegetation and poor sight lines.

A grizzly bear enjoying berry season down in K-Country.

Managing Wildlife Attractants: Reminder to campers and picnickers 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 and always dispose of garbage in bear-proof bins. 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!

VIEW CURRENT WARNINGS AND CLOSURES

Bear Warning - Paddy's Flat Campground due to a black bear sow and cubs frequenting the area.

Area Closure: Lake Minnewanka campgrounds Lm8, Lm9, Lm11, Lm20, Lm22, Lm31 are closed to all users due to a bear that investigated the exterior of an occupied tent.

Bear Warning: Lake Minnewanka Loop (excluding Cascade Ponds and Johnson Lake) due to a black bear that is frequenting the area and has obtained unsecured human food.

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

We are in berry season and it is important to note that buffaloberries are often found in sunny areas along trails, roads and recreation areas, so trail users should always expect to encounter a bear while out on the trails or at day use 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. Let bears know you are in the area. Call out, clap, sing or talk loudly especially near streams, dense vegetation, and berry patches, on windy days, and in areas of low visibility. To reduce the risk of encounters you should also:

Travel in tight groups! Larger size groups are less likely to have a serious bear encounter. We recommend hiking in a tight group of four or more. Never let children wander.
Always carry bear spray, ensure it is accessible, and know how to use it before you head out on the trails. Bear spray can help deter other large mammals too such as cougars, wolves, coyotes, elk, deer and moose.
Watch for fresh bear signs. Tracks, droppings, diggings, torn-up logs and turned-over rocks are all signs that a bear has been in the area. Leave the area if the signs are fresh.
Keep your dog on a leash at all times (it is the law) or leave it at home. Dogs can provoke defensive behaviour in bears. RELATED ARTICLE: New research finds off-leash dogs often escalate bear encounters.
Stay on official trails and travel during daylight hours.

You should consider following these best practices anytime you are out in bear country!

Bears and other wildlife continue to be seen on and near roads. Remember to obey speed limits and slow down when passing wildlife but don’t stop and create bear jams - and always stay in your vehicle! 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. The safety and well-being of wildlife is far more important than you getting that perfect picture. Give bears at least 100m of space at all times and do not linger near wildlife feeding roadside - keep moving along! The Friends of Kananaskis Country have some great Tips for Roadside Wildlife Viewing for motorists and cyclists.

WILDLIFE AMBASSADOR WORDS OF WISDOM

Wildlife Ambassador Karen reminds us to make noise as a courtesy to wildlife to let them know we’re coming into their home. Heeeyyyyooooo!

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. August 1-3 - Canmore Folk Festival
August 3 - Kananaskis Visitor Information Centre (KVIC)

FOOD FOR THOUGHT?

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. Take advantage of the Town of Canmore’s Fruit Tree Removal and Replacement Incentive Program NOW before the money runs out AND before you attract a bear into town and/or get a large fine! Applications are still open while limited funds are available so click here to apply now!

From the Bow Valley Insider: “While overflowing garbage often gets blamed for attracting bears, Parks Canada says that's no longer the primary issue. Wildlife-proof bins and secure waste facilities have largely addressed that problem. Instead, agency records from 2010 to 2024 show fruit trees, shrubs and gardens were documented as bear attractants far more often than garbage or compost.

Since 2024, Jasper and Parks Canada have removed more than 300 fruit trees through the Fruit Tree Replacement Program, but more than 400 still remain. Officials say once bears discover fruit in town, they repeatedly return while it's available, making them increasingly difficult to keep out of residential neighbourhoods.”

Berry season is here and it 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. We need to make extra noise and be vigilant (that means NOT wearing headphones/earbuds) when travelling through bear country, but don’t expect bears to always move out of the way for you. If they find a nice ripe berry patch, they may ignore you because they are focused on eating berries, and they can be very defensive of their berry bushes, especially if surprised. You should always be expecting close encounters during berry season and you should always be carrying bear spray and know how to use it!

*Shepherdia canadensis*, more commonly known as Buffaloberry. Red berries are most common but they can also be orange or yellow.

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!

WILDLIFE IN THE NEWS

Wildsmart was on Global TV earlier this week to share tips for bear encounters.
VIDEO: Doorbell camera catches cougar slipping through Canmore backyard.
Parks Canada charges hikers after grizzly bear run-in with off-leash dog in Banff National Park
Bold bear shuts down Banff's Lake Minnewanka backcountry campgrounds – again.
Bear climbs power pole, dies from electrocution in New Mexico.
Another bear killed in Yellowknife neighbourhood, second in less than a week.
Black bears can once again be hunted with dogs in Alberta this year.
Can any animals kill a polar bear? 6 contenders that could just be brave enough to take on the deadliest, most powerful bear on the planet.
Never Run from a Mountain Lion.

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, 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

The Friends of Kananaskis Country celebrate 30 years of stewardship, trail care and education.

Friends of Kananaskis Country (FKC) is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year! Since 1996, FKC has done a fantastic job of stewarding hundreds of kilometres of well-loved trails across all ends of the Bow Valley and K-Country which consists of both provincial parks and public lands. Of the approximately 1,200 kilometres of official trails in the region, the majority of these have been regularly maintained by the FKC and its numerous volunteers who roam the trails – clearing them, fixing them, building them and protecting them. Many thanks to all the efforts of the volunteers and staff (past and present) who have made such a difference in the Bow Valley and K-Country. Click here to read about the history of the Friends of Kananaskis County.

UPCOMING EVENTS

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

Bear Report - July 30, 2026