Olympic National Park - Wilderness Food Storage

Did you know?

Bears, racoons, and other wildlife that access human food can become agressive towards people. Even small animals that may not seem dangerous can attract more dangerous predators like cougars to your camp or may carry pathogens and viruses. Help everyone stay safe by keeping food, trash, and other attractive scented items secured from wildlife. 

 

Proper food and trash storage is REQUIRED throughout Olympic National Park. Please do your part to protect park wildlife and yourself by properly securing your food and trash.

Bears and other wildlife can be active 24 hours a day, year round, parkwide. Because of this, all food and scented items must be secured at all times. Scented items include, but are not limited to, things like toothpaste, deodorant, sunscreen, hand sanitizer, chapstick, and feminine products. Following these and other Leave No Trace guidelines help protect people and wildlife.

All food, trash, toiletries, and scented items must be stored either:

• • Within a hard-sided vehicle;
  • In a park provided food lockers;
  • In park approved animal resistant food container (ARFC), aka bear canister or bear can (see below)

Animal Resistant Food Containers (ARFC), aka Bear canisters or Bear cans, are required in ALL Wilderness/ Backcountry areas of the park.

We highly encourage visitors to provide their own animal resistant food containers, though, canisters may be available for loan from Wilderness Information Centers during business hours. While we do have a large supply of canisters, we occasionally run out over exceptionally busy weekends. We do not reserve canisters in advance.

Stock users must also be prepared to securely store stock feed from wildlife.

 

Examples of portable Animal Resistant Food Containers (ARFC), aka bear canisters.

 

Food Storage Tips

• Keep it crumb clean! Keep a clean camp.
• Never improperly store or leave food and trash unattended. Keep it within arms length if not secured. If your food is not properly stored, it may be confiscated and a $50 fine may be issued to protect visitors, property, bears, and other wildlife. 
• Store your bear cans such that they can't be easily rolled off a cliff or into a stream by a curious bear and such that you will hear a bear if it messes with it.
• If a bear comes into your camp do not give up your food. Bang pots and pans and make noise to discourage further exploration. Report such bear encounters to a ranger.
• Avoid odor-tainting your gear which makes it attractive to wildlife. Do not store ARFCs in your tent or backpack while unattended and line ARFCs with plastic bags that can be sealed to keep in the odor. (This can help if your ARFC isn't waterproof too.) Avoid cooking greasy or odorous foods. Avoid cooking or eating in tents. 
• Wash dirty dishes immediately. Strain food particles and dispose of waste water at least 200 feet from a campsite or water source to prevent attracting wildlife.
• Do not dispose of food waste in the wilderness or into pit toilets. Pack out all uneaten food and food particles. Treat food wrappers and other garbage the same as food. 
• With a little planning, it is amazing how much food you can fit into a bear can. There's lots of good tips out there on the internet!

Approved Food Containers (updated 12/2/2025)

 Any container that is not listed on the below approved Animal Resistant Food Container (ARFC) list, is NOT permitted as an approved ARFC in Olympic National Park regardless of what manufacturers or product testers may claim.  Please do not use ARFCs with obvious signs of damage, such as cracks.  Note that Olympic National Park may change this list of approved ARFC at any time to ensure the protection of wildlife and visitors.

Approved Portable ARFC Canisters

• Backpackers' Cache Garcia Model 812
• Bare Boxer Contender 101 and Champ 202
• Bearikade Weekender MKII and Expedition MKII
• BearVault 110b, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 425, 450, 475, 500 
• Counter Assault Bear Keg
• Grub Can Carbon/ Kevlar 4.5L and 6.6L (aka Holly’s Homemade) 
• Lighter1 Big Daddy and Lil Sam 
• REI Traverse Modular Bear Canister, Model 25200
• Purple Mountain Engineering Tahoe (This item is no longer being made)
• UDAP No-Fed-Bear 

Approved ARFC Panniers

• Bear Aware Panniers
• Bear Country Camping Models SFO and HFO
• Berner Bear Box
• DeCarteret Aluminum Stock Panniers
• Outfitters Supply TrailMax Bear Proof Pack Panniers
• Steel salvage drums with a security lid such as
  • Lab Safety Supply Company (Model 9M-9117, 8 gallon open head) 

Manufacturers interested in the approval process should email us.

Benefits of Using a ARFC aka Bear Canister

• Less stress, increased peace of mind
• Guaranteed food supply if bears or other animals visit your camp
• No aborted trips because bears ate your food
• They make a nice stool to sit on
• Keeps delicate foods from getting squished in your pack

These containers are lightweight, cylindrical canisters specifically designed to be animal proof. Bear canisters are the best method for securing food, garbage, and other scented items from bears and other wildlife. They are user-friendly, fit in most backpacks, and help keep fragile foods like crackers and bread from getting squished or broken.

Where to Get ARFC aka Bear Canisters

Bear canisters are available for loan at the Wilderness Information Centers (Current Hours):

• Port Angeles WIC: 3002 Mount Angeles Road, Port Angeles, WA 98362
• Quinault Rain Forest Ranger Station: 913 North Shore Road, Amanda Park, WA 98526

Most of the approved Animal Resistant Food Containers can be purchased online directly from the manufacturers.

Bear canisters may also be available to rent or purchase at the following locations:

• Brown's Outdoor (In downtown Port Angeles). Call for hours and availability: [phone].
• Forks Outfitters (Thriftway). Call for hours [phone].
• The Wildernest (Bainbridge Island). Call for availability and to reserve canisters: [phone].
• Olympic Outdoor Center (Port Gamble).  Call for availability: [phone]. 
• Ascent Outdoors (Ballard neighborhood in Seattle, formerly Second Ascent). Call for availability and to reserve canisters: [phone].
• REI Flagship Store (Seattle). Call for availability: [phone].

Email us if you're a company that rents/sells canisters and would like to be added to the list above.