Wildlife officials have issued an urgent warning to campers and hikers across California's national parks as confrontations between humans and black bears surge. The increase is attributed to the bears' pre-hibernation feeding behavior and a rise in park visitors.
Incidents have escalated in Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon National Parks. Wildlife experts state that bears, seeking to build winter fat reserves, forage up to 22 hours a day and consume approximately 20,000 calories daily. This intense drive is leading them into campsites and parking areas.
At Yosemite, human-bear clashes have risen by 52% in 2026. As of mid-September, park rangers documented 50 separate incidents resulting in $17,780 in property damage across campsites, parking facilities, and employee housing. The increased bear activity has also proven dangerous for wildlife, with at least 21 bears being struck by vehicles in the park this year.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks have experienced an even more pronounced surge, with human-bear conflicts increasing by 125% since 2020. Property damage in these parks has skyrocketed by 1,800% year-to-date, exceeding $17,300 by late September. Park data indicates that improperly stored food and unsecured garbage directly contributed to at least 80 of these encounters.
California Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff have expressed concern over the escalating situation. In a letter to federal park officials, they argued that the National Park Service's decision to discontinue its visitor reservation system has led to severe overcrowding. The senators warned that the combination of higher attendance, park staff shortages, and a lack of bear-proof trash bins has created hazardous conditions in popular areas.
Park rangers are advising visitors to store all food and scented items in metal bear lockers. They emphasize that carelessness will likely lead to more aggressive encounters as bears prepare for winter hibernation.