JACKSON, Wyo. — Happy International Picnic Day!
Grand Teton National Park (GTNP), on Wednesday, posted to Facebook some tips on how to picnic responsibly in the park. Lakeside picnics are fun and will offer gorgeous views of mountaintops. But GTNP warns: “If you’re picnicking at Grand Teton, especially near spots like Jenny, String or Jackson Lake, you’re not the only one who thinks it’s a great place to grab a bite to eat.”
According to the post, black bears are frequently seen on lakeshores this time of year because they are moving through the area to get to their plentiful natural food sources. However, they might take a detour if they smell a leftover sandwich in a backpack, especially if it’s unattended even just for a few minutes.
The social media post also includes a reminder that bear spray is now available at the new bear spray rental kiosk in the plaza at Jenny Lake. “But remember, it should only be used as a last resort for charging bears,” GTNP wrote. “That bear that’s just walking down the trail does not need to be sprayed.”
Here are their tips on how to picnic responsibly so as not to habituate any bears with human food:
- Keep backpacks and food attended at all times.
- Expect to see a bear even if there are a lot of people around. A bear sighting is always possible.
- Plan ahead by bringing less stuff along, or designate someone to stay with it. On a sunny day it might be tempting to take a dip in the lake, but don’t leave the picnic on shore unattended.
- When not actively in use, place the picnic basket or cooler in a bear-resistant storage locker or a vehicle with the windows rolled up. There are bear boxes at most day-use picnic sites, lakeshore areas and backcountry campsites.
- If a bear approaches, leave with all belongings, or group up and stay put. Make noise, clap and shout to scare the bear away.
- Never run, and never leave food behind.
- Report any bears making contact with human items to a ranger or visitor center as soon as possible.
