BearCanisterOK

National Park Service · WA

North Cascades National Park Complex: bear canister rules

North Cascades National Park Complex requires a bear canister on certain dates.

Canister required seasonally Checked 2026-10-26

Short answer

IGBC-approved canister required at nine named camps and in cross-country zones (page says six zones but lists seven).

This area accepts containers certified by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC). Check the IGBC certified products list, not the brand's marketing, to see whether a model qualifies. Of the 30 canisters we cover, 23 are confirmed matches here.

Heads-up before you rely on this

    Rules change. Confirm with the land manager (sources below) before you go.

    Is my canister legal in North Cascades National Park Complex?

    Legal

    BearVault BV500 Journey in North Cascades National Park Complex: accepted here.

    IGBC-certified.

    Area rule IGBC-approved canister required at nine named camps and in cross-country zones (page says six zones but lists seven).

    Read the full answer

    Checked 2026-10-26. Always verify with the land manager before you go.

    The rule, as written

    Requirement
    IGBC-approved canister required at nine named camps and in cross-country zones (page says six zones but lists seven).
    Accepted
    IGBC-approved canister
    Dates
    Jun 1 - Nov 15
    Source updated
    2026-04-02
    Checked
    2026-10-26 · verified
    Our notes
    Camps: Desolation, Fisher, Hooter, Monogram Lake, Pierce Mountain, Sahale Glacier, Sourdough, Thornton Lakes, Thunder Basin. Zones: Boston Basin, Eldorado, Hidden Lake, Sulphide Glacier, Tapto Lakes, Trapper Lake, Terror Basin. Page count discrepancy (six vs seven) needs verification.

    Detailed answers for North Cascades National Park Complex

    Every canister we cover, in North Cascades National Park Complex

    Arrows mark models with a detailed answer page for this area. Others link to the canister's page, which lists every area.

    Quick answers

    Do I need a bear canister in North Cascades National Park Complex?

    North Cascades National Park Complex requires a bear canister on certain dates. IGBC-approved canister required at nine named camps and in cross-country zones (page says six zones but lists seven).

    Which canisters are accepted in North Cascades National Park Complex?

    IGBC-approved canister In our data: BearVault BV ONE Adjustable, BearVault BV425 Sprint, BearVault BV450 Jaunt, BearVault BV475 Trek, BearVault BV500 Journey, BearVault BV250, BearVault BV300, BearVault BV350, BearVault BV400, Grub Can Wave 6.6 L, Grub Can Wave 10.0 L, Grub Can Carbon/Kevlar 6.6 L, and more.

    How current is this information?

    We checked North Cascades National Park Complex's official source on 2026-10-26. Confirm with the land manager before you go.

    Nearby and related rules

    All Washington rules

    Sources and date checked

    Checked . We link the official pages so you can read the rule yourself.