Bear Safety Tips for the Hiawatha National Forest

Gladstone, MI, 6/3/2025—For enhanced public safety, you can take precautions to minimize negative interactions with bears. Though black bears are located throughout the Hiawatha National Forest, they are most frequently sighted on Grand Island. 

“In the last couple of years, we’ve seen significant bear activity near areas where people have left food and garbage out,” said Brina Hinch, Area Manager for Grand Island National Recreation Area. “When bears become habituated to the presence of people, the level of risk increases for both parties. Last year, three bears were relocated from Grand Island. We hope that our visitors will exercise a high level of personal preparedness, so humans and bears stay safe.” 

Follow these guidelines to help prevent an unwanted encounter:

• Prepare for camping prior to arrival by packing trash bags and bear resistant canisters.
• Watch for bear sign (scat, tracks) at or near day use areas and campsites.
• Never intentionally feed a bear.
• Keep eating areas clean. Minimize food odors and waste. Keep cooking, eating, and cleaning activities downwind of your tent or picnic area. Wash utensils shortly after eating to minimize odors. Do not leave food laying out. Do not leave lunchboxes or coolers unattended.
• Do not keep scented items in tents. All campsites on Grand Island have either bear-proof lockers and/or bear poles to safely store food and items such as sunscreen and lip balm.  
• Don’t sleep in clothes that have cooking odors or liquids on them.
• Store trash as you would food. Do not burn or bury it.
• Use caution to avoid surprising bears. Be extra aware when approaching blind curves, dense vegetation, or noisy streams where a bear may not see, hear, or smell you approaching. Simple precautions such as speaking in a louder voice than normal or whistling can allow a bear to hear you approaching. Do not carry bear spray unless you know how to properly use it.
• Day users should also be mindful of their personal belongings, especially during stops at recreation sites such as picnic and viewing areas around the island. 

About the Forest Service: The USDA Forest Service has for more than 100 years brought people and communities together to answer the call of conservation. Grounded in world-class science and technology– and rooted in communities–the Forest Service connects people to nature and to each other. The Forest Service cares for shared natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, maintains the largest wildland fire and forestry research organizations in the world. The Forest Service also has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 900 million forested acres within the U.S., of which over 130 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live.