Bear boxes are locked containers one uses while camping in proximity to bears. Since bears are smart, other methods for protecting food tend not to work as well as bear boxes do. For example, storing food or a cooler in one’s car may mean the bear simply breaks into the car.

An alternative to bear boxes is hanging food several feet above the bear’s access, as in a tree. Research shows this method is not very effective, and bears are quite capable of accessing food hung above them. Once a bear learns how to do this, one can be left with no food, and as well, a potentially dangerous animal in one’s campsite.

Some campgrounds offer installed bear boxes for use. One usually must bring locks to make sure bear boxes are tightly secured. As well, bear boxes should contain not only food items but also anything that might smell attractive to a bear, such as soaps, detergents, cans of soda, and pans used for cooking.

The goal of bear boxes is to keep the bear out of the campsite, by keeping any attractive items completely out of sight, and also unable to be scented. Merely hiding the food is not suggested, and especially one should never keep any type of food in a tent. The bear will definitely be able to smell food and soap products in a tent, leading to a precarious situation for the camper and the bear.

One can check with campgrounds about locations of bear boxes. If none exist, campers can purchase sturdy bear boxes to take with them while camping. These are often very strong metal boxes. They may have an interior metal can that reduces scent and holds food and scented items.

When one is backpacking, lugging along metal bear boxes is not feasible. Since backpacking tends to bring people in closer proximity to bears, it is essential to carry special types of bear boxes called bear canisters. These also seem fairly resistant to opening by bears. They are much lighter than bear boxes, however, so they are easily portable.

Even on backpacking trails, one may not need to bring bear canisters because many trails have available bear boxes. Again, checking with a park ranger can help one decide if bringing a bear canister is worth the expense and the extra weight. Park rangers can also tell one the exact locations of any bear boxes, so backpackers can plan daily walks and pit stops accordingly.