Food Storage Order
The purpose of food storage is to keep bears from accessing easy, high-calorie human food and associating humans with food or human developments as a place to find food. We want to keep our bears wild and healthy by reducing their ability to access human food and attractants. The Custer Gallatin National Forest lies within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Within the Yellowstone Ecosystem individual National Forests, National Parks, and other land management agencies have their own food storage order. Please reference agency-specific food storage orders for those areas where you are planning to recreate.
The entire west side of the Forest, including all of the Beartooth, Bozeman, Gardiner, Hebgen Lake, and Yellowstone Ranger Districts, is covered by the Custer Gallatin National Forest Food Storage Order. This includes all of the Henry’s Lake, Madison, Gallatin, Bridger, Bangtail, Crazy, Absaroka, Beartooth, and Pryor Mountain Ranges.
If you have questions about any aspect of the Food Storage Order, including information on how to comply, contact your local Forest Service Office. We also invite you to view and print a copy of the Custer Gallatin Food Storage Requirements flyer to take with you as a handy reference while you are out enjoying your National Forest.
There are a number of ways to ensure that your food, beverage, and other attractants are stored in compliance with the Food Storage Order. The most convenient way to store these items is in a hard-sided vehicle or trailer with all the windows closed. Another way is to use food storage containers provided for users at developed recreation sites or other approved products that are certified bear resistant by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee. Hanging your attractants at least 10 feet above the ground and at least four feet away from adjacent trees is also an option, especially in backcountry or more remote front country areas. You may want to become familiar with how to hang your food and attractants.
Here’s a video that talks about some bear-safe tips while enjoying the backcountry.