Upper Green River area closed to overnight camping due to Bear activity
Day use still permitted
by Bridger-Teton National Forest
July 9, 2010
The Bridger-Teton National Forest will be closing the Upper Green River area to overnight camping until further notice. The Pinedale District Ranger has decided to close the area due to multiple reports of recent grizzly bear activity.
The closure, put in place for public safety, includes the Forest Boundary up to Green River Lake including the Green River Lakes Campground. Camping is also prohibited within five miles of the Green River Lakes Trailhead. Day use within this area is not prohibited at this time, but visitors should be alert for, and report any bear activity to the Pinedale Ranger Station 307-367-4326.
The Bridger-Teton currently has a food storage order covering portions of the Forest which requires that all food and other attractants be properly stored or hung so that they are not available to bears. Attractants such as food leftovers or bacon grease should not be buried, discarded, or burned in an open campfire. These items should be placed in an appropriate sealed container and packed out with garbage. Human, pet and livestock food, garbage, and other attractants must be stored in an approved bear resistant manner. Other attractants include anything with an odor such as BBQ grills, drinks, toothpaste, scented candles, soap, and lotion or sun screen.
Approved bear resistant storage includes;
A hard-sided camper or vehicle trunk or cab. A cooler left outside is not secure!
A hard-sided dwelling or storage building
Suspended at least 10 feet up (from bottom of the suspended item) and 4 feet out from any upright support such as tree or pole
An approved bear resistant container (bear resistant canisters and panniers are available for use at the Pinedale Ranger Station)
Visitors are encouraged to be alert when recreating in bear country. Be aware of your surroundings, travel in groups and carry bear spray.
For more information contact the Pinedale Ranger Station at 307-367-4326.
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