Safety and Outdoor Ethics
The US Forest Service is committed to a culture of safety and ethical use of the land, for our employees and volunteers and for our visitors. However, a national forest is a wild place and we urge you to be properly trained and equipped for whichever of the many opportunities, activities, and challenges you choose to participate in while you are visiting the White Mountain National Forest.
Bear Safety
The White Mountain National Forest is home to a healthy American Black Bear population. Normally shy and wary of humans, bears can become aggressive as they become habituated to human food.
The best way to protect bears and yourself is to store your food, food containers, scented items (such as soap, lip balm, toothpaste) and trash properly.
Bear Food Storage Requirements
The feeding of bears, intentional or unintentional, is prohibited on the White Mountain National Forest. Visitors who have not properly stored their food risk their own safety and receiving a fine.
See the Food Storage Order for complete details.
- What would attract a bear? Anything with a scent! That means all food, trash, toiletries, recyclables, candles, medications, pet food, dirty diapers, baby wipes, beverages, insect repellent, cosmetics, etc.
- Proper food storage methods include:
- hard sided and topped lockable vehicles and hard sided and topped lockable campers, with windows rolled up
- cylindrical, hard-sided, non-pliable Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) certified bear resistant canisters
- USDA Forest Service provided food storage boxes and or canisters at designated campsites and campgrounds
- electrified fences designed specifically for bears
- Alternatively, if the storage methods previously stated are impossible to comply with, food, food containers, and food trash may also be suspended at least twelve (12) feet above the surface of the ground and not less than six (6) feet horizontally from any object. This “bear-hang” method is difficult to do properly in the forest due to the terrain and is not as effective.
- Keep sleeping areas, tents, and sleeping bags free of food and odor (like toothpaste or deodorant).
- Don’t sleep in clothes you cooked or handled fish or game in.
- Never bury or burn food waste.
- Place sleeping tents at least 100 feet away from food storage and cooking areas.
- Never leave food or backpack unattended even for swimming, napping, etc.
Pemigewasset (Pemi) Wilderness Bear Canister Requirement
Effective May 1st, 2026, all overnight campers in the Pemigewasset Wilderness must store all food, food containers, scented items (such as soap, lip balm, and toothpaste) and refuse in a cylindrical, hard-sided, non-pliable Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC) certified bear-resistant canister. Alternative methods for storing food and bear attractants in the Pemigewasset Wilderness will no longer be permitted as they have proven to be less effective than canisters. The only exceptions are the bear resistant food boxes located at the Thirteen Falls Tent Site. See Alert for Forest Order and Frequently Asked Questions.
Bear canisters approved for use in the Pemi Wilderness:
- BearVault – BV425, BV450, BV475, BV500
- Grubcan – Wave 6.6, Wave 10.0, Carbon 4.5, Carbon 6.6, GL500
- REI - Traverse 25200
- Bare Boxer – Contender, Champ
- Counter Assault – Bear Keg
- Backpacker’s Cache – 812
- UDAP - “No Fed Bear” Canister
- Frontiersman Insider Bear Safe – FBS-100-A, FBS-100-B
- Lighter1 Bear Canisters – Big Daddy, Lil’ Sami
- Wes Mauz - Aluminum Canister
- JP Enterprises - 35 Gallon Plastic Screw-Top Over Pak Container
- Vernon Matthews - Greif Bros. 8 Gallon Steel Drum OH8-1R, 10 Gallon Steel Drum OH10-1R
- World Safety Products - overpack plastic drums – 30, 65 & 95 gallon (with modified metal reinforced lids)
Bear-resistant Canister Rental
Bear-resistant canisters are available for sale from most outdoor equipment stores. They are also available for rent free of charge at White Mountain National Forest Visitor Centers in Lincoln, Campton, Conway and Gorham. See website for locations and current hours of operation. www.fs.usda.gov/r09/whitemountain/offices
Forest Service employee displays an approved bear canister.
Forest Service table
If you encounter a bear:
- Stay together in one group – don’t spread out, especially with small children
- Give the bear(s) lots of room – 50 yards or more and never surround it.
- Don’t get between a sow (mom) and her cubs – always look around for cubs, including in nearby trees.
- Don’t linger too long – allow the bear to go about its business without following it
- Don’t try to get close for a picture.
- Never feed anything to a bear – or to any wildlife for that matter.
- Make lots of noise and look big – Wave your arms and yell, clap, and bang pots and pans.
- Don’t run – if a bear huffs and shows you its profile (stands sideways), it may bluff charge. Stand your ground or back away slowly.
Mud Safety
The calendar says spring has arrived in the White Mountains. However, New Englanders know there is one more hurdle to get over before hiking gets in full swing – mud season. Mud season is the transitional time between winter and spring when the combination between snow, rain, and melt creates very wet conditions. Hiking during this time can have major impacts on trails and fragile ecosystems.
Avoiding Trail Damage
Walking off-trail threatens to widen the trail or damage vegetation.
Super saturated soils create deep and wide mud puddles sometimes covering whole sections of trail. These conditions make the trails most susceptible to soil compaction and erosion. Soil compaction reduces the ability for vegetation to grow and the ground to absorb water causing additional flooding potential. This leads to more erosion exposing rocks and roots.
In addition to mud, snow monorails – hard packed snow in the center tread of a trail – exist above and below treeline and endure long into mud season. Walking around monorails widens trails and destroys fragile alpine plants above treeline.
So what’s a hiker with spring fever to do during this muddy mess?
Tips to having a low impact outing:
- Good boots are designed to get muddy! Walk through the mud and stick to the center of the path stepping on rocks whenever possible.
- Choose hikes at low elevations and south-facing slopes. These tend to dry out faster. Avoid steep trails. Durable surfaces like roads, paved trails, or rail trails are also great options at this time of year.
- Be prepared for spring weather to change quickly. Higher elevations may still have winter weather conditions.
- Look for alternative activities until things dry out. Road biking, paddling or scenic driving are great ways to enjoy the Forest while trails dry out.
Do Your Part
To prevent damaging the environment, turn around when the trail is extremely muddy. Soon it will dry out and you’ll be able to enjoy the hike. Whatever you do, don’t widen the trail or damage vegetation by walking around the muddy areas. If you want more information about good alternative early season activities, please contact any of our offices.
Water Safety
Be aware of your surroundings, and follow these guidelines to have a safe and enjoyable spring visit:
- Beware of slick and slippery rocks. Any amount of moisture and rocks become slippery and provide unstable footing.
- If there is a rail, fence, or warning sign - heed it and don't try to go around or slip behind. The safety precautions are appropriately placed, most likely because of other unfortunate incidents at that location.
- Water fluctuates rapidly. If there was a safe stream crossing earlier in the day, it may not be so on the return trip. Be certain to assess if there are any changes and don't assume the conditions are the same.
Winter Safety
Winter hiking and climbing take special preparation and planning. You must be prepared for extremes of cold, wind, snow and even rain. Skis or snowshoes are almost always needed. Even if there isn’t much snow at the start of your trip sudden storms can quickly change conditions.
Before considering a winter hike, it’s a good idea to be experienced with summer hiking and camping. A minor injury can become life-threatening in the harsh winter environment.
- Be sure that someone knows your trip plans.
- For above-treeline trips an ice axe and crampons are necessities.
Avalanches and ice fall are winter hazards, especially in steeper ravines. Someone in your group should at least always have a basic knowledge of avalanche safety.
Forest Service Snow Rangers post avalanche forecasts advisories for Tuckerman and Huntington Ravines. Warnings are posted at Pinkham Notch Visitor Center, Tuckerman Ravine, and are also available on the internet.
Heed the warnings—they could save your life.
Your best defense against hypothermia is your brain: good judgment, preparation and knowledge can help keep you from becoming a victim.
Always have the following:
- Adequate clothing with you, enough to spend a night if an emergency arises.
- Layered clothing is preferable since it allows you to easily adjust to changes in your exertion level.
- Wool, or a synthetic such as polypropylene is best. Cotton should be left at home since it can't keep you warm when it gets wet.
- Good boots designed for winter use (felt pacs or lined double boots) are essential.
Your body is like a furnace, and food and water are needed to keep the fire burning. Drink at least two quarts of water and eat many small meals throughout the day.
If anyone in your group is slowing down, stumbling, shivering or showing any signs of difficulty--don't be afraid to turn back! Don't wait until you or someone in your group is unable to continue. At the first sign, move the person to a sheltered location and rewarm them with warm sweet drinks (if able to drink on their own) and warm, dry clothes.
With proper planning you can enjoy a safe winter trip to the White Mountains.