Where Do You Need a Bear Canister on the PCT?

Bear canisters are required to keep your food secure — and, more importantly, to prevent bears from becoming habituated to human food — on several sections of the Pacific Crest Trail.

Yet with the PCT passing through lands managed by disparate agencies, it can be difficult to keep track of the requirements. Rangers can and do ask PCT hikers to show their canisters in sections where they’re required, and failure to do so could result in a hefty fine and being escorted off the trail. (In other words, this is NOT one of those rules that isn’t really a rule; it’s actually enforced.)

Where Do You Need a Bear Canister on the PCT?

Photo: Owen Eigenbrot

Long story short: plan to carry a bear canister for 452 miles from Kennedy Meadows South (FarOut northbound mile 702) to Truckee, California (mile 1154).

The old rule of thumb was that you could send it home at Sonora Pass (mile 1017). But nowadays, expanded bear canister requirements in Desolation Wilderness and the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit mean you need it for longer. 

Below is a more detailed breakdown of where you need a bear canister on the PCT, complete with FarOut mile markers. The boundaries of these parks typically don’t coincide with exit points where you can go to town and pick up/mail a bear canister. This means that functionally, thru-hikers need to carry the canister throughout this whole section, even though there are some areas where it’s technically not required.

1. Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (SEKI)

Within these two parks, bear canisters are required in designated “bear canister zones.” For instance, in the Rock Creek Drainage area, northbound PCT hikers are advised to carry a canister between approximately FarOut miles 753.9 to 762.9. Additionally, the Rae Lakes Loop Area requires a canister from about 779.5 to 807.1 on the northbound route. 

These specific mile markers are established to protect sensitive wildlife areas where bears are particularly adept at accessing improperly stored food. Even outside of these zones, hikers are required to properly store their food — and because finding good trees for a counter-balanced bear hang (the only approved hanging technique in the park) is challenging, for all intents and purposes, you need a canister the whole time.

Forester Pass marks the boundary between Kings Canyon National Park and Sequoia National Park, specifically on the Kings-Kern Divide.

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite is strict with its food storage regulations. Hikers must carry a bear canister throughout the park — roughly between FarOut miles 929.6 and 997.1. In Yosemite, alternative food storage methods like hanging are not an option; the canister is the only acceptable method, underscoring the park’s zero-tolerance policy for food-related bear habituation.

Desolation Wilderness (Northern California)

As bear populations have grown more accustomed to human food, Desolation Wilderness introduced a mandatory bear canister policy in 2022. This requirement affects hikers in the range of FarOut miles 1096.6 to 1118.3. Many PCT hikers choose to carry their canister from Kennedy Meadows or arrange to mail it out at a nearby town once they’ve passed this bear-active section.

Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU)

The trail dips in and out of this management unit between miles 1093 and 1134, according to Triple Crown Outfitters (the boundaries aren’t indicated on FarOut). “Bear-resistant containers” are required within this management unit (an ambiguous term that many land managers and hikers seem to be interpreting to mean you need a canister). 

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Lassen’s section of the PCT is notorious for its scenic beauty and challenging conditions. The designated mile markers (1344.8–1364.1) cover an area where weather can change rapidly — ranging from sudden snowstorms to intense heat. Unsecured food can attract bears, which have learned to exploit even minor lapses in food storage. 

Since it’s less than 20 miles long and several hundred miles north of the rest of the bear canister requirements, many hikers simply hike through the park in a single day. As long as you don’t camp within park boundaries, you won’t need a bear canister.

Washington’s National Forests

Bear canisters are not required in Washington, although proper food storage is required in the Mt. Baker – Snoqualmie National Forest (miles 2332 through 2555). Bear-resistant containers are acceptable here, but so are food hangs at least 10 feet off the ground and at least 4 feet horizontally away from any supporting tree or pole.

Why Are These Requirements in Place?

The primary purpose of requiring bear canisters is twofold: to protect hikers from dangerous bear encounters and to prevent bears from becoming habituated to human food.

Bears that learn to access unsecured food often become a management problem, sometimes leading to relocation of the problem bear or, in extreme cases, euthanasia. By ensuring that all food and scented items are stored in a secure, hard-sided container, land managers aim to preserve both human safety and wildlife integrity.

Managing Your Bear Canister Logistics

Picking Up and Dropping Off

Kennedy Meadows (around FarOut mile 702) is a well-known resupply hub where many northbound hikers pick up or rent their bear canisters. After exiting the most bear-active sections — such as Desolation Wilderness — hikers often plan to carry their canister to towns like Truckee, where it can be dropped off or mailed home.

Rental Options

If you’d prefer not to carry a canister for the entirety of your hike, some services have historically offered rental options specifically for the Sierra section. For example, Triple Crown Outfitters provides rental programs that allow you to rent a canister for just the critical part of the trail and then either drop it off or mail it back to them when you’re done with it. Before planning your rental, check current availability with local outfitters to see if these services are offered this year.

A Note on Bear Canister Alternatives

While alternatives like the Ursack may appear attractive due to their lighter weight, it’s important to note that, despite being approved by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC), the Ursack is not an approved form of food storage in SEKI or Yosemite.

Final Thoughts

Navigating the bear canister requirements on the PCT requires careful planning and an understanding of where the rules kick in. By adhering to these guidelines, you protect yourself and also help ensure that the trail remains safe for wildlife. Whether you opt to purchase, rent, or arrange a drop-off in a resupply town, make sure your food is secure and you’re aware of the regulations of the area you’re in.

One final note: bear canister requirements can change at any time. We hope this resource helps you to plan, but it’s still your responsibility to confirm the regulations and make sure you’re in compliance.

Featured image: Photo via Katie Jackson. Graphic design by Zack Goldmann.

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