John Muir Wilderness · US Forest Service
Is the BearVault BV500 Journey legal in John Muir Wilderness?
Legal
Yes, on the written standard. John Muir Wilderness names no list, and the BearVault BV500 Journey is a recognised hard canister.
Canister required in the Inyo order zones inside this wilderness; elsewhere canister OR counterbalance (Inyo and Sierra orders). Sequoia/Kings Canyon NP rules apply on entering the parks. Area text names no approved list. SIBBG-approved hard canister meets a 'bear-resistant container' standard.
Heads-up before you rely on this
- Source page shows no date. The official page does not show a "last updated" date we could capture. We record the day we read it instead.
- Partly verified. Some part of this rule (a date, a boundary, a list or a wording detail) is not fully confirmed from official text. See the notes below for what is missing.
Rules change. Confirm with the land manager (links below) before you go.
What this means
The written rule asks for a bear-resistant container (or similar wording) but names no approved list. Hard canisters on a recognised list are the safest reading; the agency has the final say.
About this model. Discrepancy: BearVault's BV500 page cites IGBC #5339, while the IGBC list (Jul 31, 2026) shows BV450=5339 and BV500=5340. Using the IGBC list.
The rule in John Muir Wilderness
- Requirement
- Canister required in the Inyo order zones inside this wilderness; elsewhere canister OR counterbalance (Inyo and Sierra orders). Sequoia/Kings Canyon NP rules apply on entering the parks.
- Accepted
- No list named in either order
- Dates
- Order 05-04-50-23-03 (text: effective 2025-06-18 to 2027-06-18; page header alert start 2023-06-18); Sierra NF Order 05-15-00-26-03 (2026-05-22 to 2028-05-22)
- Source updated
- alert pages (dates not captured)
- Checked
- 2026-10-26 · partly verified
- Our notes
- Derived from the Inyo and Sierra NF orders; Sequoia NF portion not separately checked.
About the BearVault BV500 Journey
- Volume
- 11.5 L (700 cu in)
- Weight
- 2 lb 9 oz (1.16 kg)
- Material
- Rugged polycarbonate and other resins
- IGBC certified
- Yes (cert. 5340)
- On Yosemite / SEKI list
- Yes
- On Olympic list
- Yes
- Spec source
- manufacturer page fetched directly
Specs come from the sources named in "Spec source" and many are incomplete. See every area where the BearVault BV500 Journey is accepted or not →
What else works in John Muir Wilderness
| Canister | Verdict | Weight | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| BearVault BV450 Jaunt | Legal | 2 lb 1 oz | 7.2 L |
| UDAP No-Fed-Bear | Legal | 2.4 lb | 8.2 (derived from cu in) L |
| BearVault BV ONE Adjustable | Likely legal | 1 lb 15 oz (895 g) | 8.3 expanded / 4.65 collapsed L |
| BearVault BV425 Sprint | Likely legal | 1 lb 12 oz | 5 L |
| BearVault BV475 Trek | Likely legal | 2 lb 4 oz | 9.3 L |
| Grub Can Wave 6.6 L | Likely legal | 1 lb 15 oz | 6.6 L |
The BearVault BV500 Journey under nearby rules
- Emigrant Wilderness Bear canisters are currently not required (Stanislaus NF page). Canisters ARE required in adjoining Yosemite w… No canister rule
- Bridger-Teton NF Food storage order: IGBC list or courtesy inspection container, hang, or vehicle. Allowed, not required
- Redwood National and State Parks Lockers at designated camps; Redwood Creek: hang or canister. Canister not required. No canister rule
- Pisgah NF - Shining Rock All overnight campers must use commercially made, solid, non-pliable bear-resistant canisters for food, refuse… Likely legal
- Inyo NF - Kearsarge Pass Canister required for food/refuse in this order area (one of eight designated areas). Legal
- Inyo NF - Duck Pass / Purple Lake Canister required for food/refuse in this order area (one of eight designated areas). Legal
Quick answers
Is the BearVault BV500 Journey legal in John Muir Wilderness?
Yes, on the written standard. John Muir Wilderness names no list, and the BearVault BV500 Journey is a recognised hard canister. Canister required in the Inyo order zones inside this wilderness; elsewhere canister OR counterbalance (Inyo and Sierra orders). Sequoia/Kings Canyon NP rules apply on entering the parks. Area text names no approved list. SIBBG-approved hard canister meets a 'bear-resistant container' standard.
What does John Muir Wilderness require for food storage?
Canister required in the Inyo order zones inside this wilderness; elsewhere canister OR counterbalance (Inyo and Sierra orders). Sequoia/Kings Canyon NP rules apply on entering the parks. Accepted standard: No list named in either order.
How current is this answer?
We checked John Muir Wilderness's official source on 2026-10-26. Source page shows no date. Partly verified. Rules change, so confirm with the land manager before you go.
Sources and date checked
Checked . We link the official pages so you can read the rule yourself.