Olympic National Park · National Park Service
Is the BearVault BV500 Journey legal in Olympic National Park?
Legal
Yes. The BearVault BV500 Journey is on Olympic National Park's own container list.
Olympic permits only containers on its Approved Food Storage Container list (updated 2026-06-25), and this model is on it. On Olympic's own container list (updated 2026-06-25).
Heads-up before you rely on this
Rules change. Confirm with the land manager (links below) before you go.
What this means
Olympic National Park keeps its own list of Approved Food Storage Containers. Only containers on that list are permitted; IGBC certification alone does not qualify a model.
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 Olympic National Park
- Requirement
- Approved Food Storage Container (ARFC) required in all park wilderness areas; only containers on Olympic's list are permitted.
- Accepted
- Olympic's own list (updated 2026-06-25)
- Dates
- Year-round
- Source updated
- 2026-07-07
- Checked
- 2026-10-26 · verified
- Our notes
- Olympic's list also names panniers; those were not mapped in detail (marked verify).
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 Olympic National Park
| Canister | Verdict | Weight | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| BearVault BV ONE Adjustable | Legal | 1 lb 15 oz (895 g) | 8.3 expanded / 4.65 collapsed L |
| BearVault BV425 Sprint | Legal | 1 lb 12 oz | 5 L |
| BearVault BV450 Jaunt | Legal | 2 lb 1 oz | 7.2 L |
| BearVault BV475 Trek | Legal | 2 lb 4 oz | 9.3 L |
| Grub Can Carbon/Kevlar 6.6 L | Legal | 1 lb 12 oz | 6.6 L |
| Grub Can Carbon/Kevlar 4.5 L | Legal | 21-23 oz | 4.5 L |
The BearVault BV500 Journey under nearby rules
- Rocky Mountain National Park Hard-sided, lockable, commercially made canister required for wilderness overnight camping; hanging not permit… Likely legal
- Mount Rainier National Park Hang or use food-storage poles; canister highly recommended in sub-alpine areas, not required. No canister rule
- Sequoia & Kings Canyon NPs - other backcountry Canister highly recommended elsewhere; hanging/other methods allowed outside the required zones. Allowed, not required
- Big Bend National Park Bear boxes/lockers; a bear-resistant container (300 ft-lb standard) is required only for caching. No canister rule
- Sequoia & Kings Canyon NPs - Pear & Emerald Lakes Canister required in the Pear and Emerald Lakes areas. Legal
- Sequoia & Kings Canyon NPs - Rae Lakes Loop Canister required in the Rae Lakes Loop. Legal
Quick answers
Is the BearVault BV500 Journey legal in Olympic National Park?
Yes. The BearVault BV500 Journey is on Olympic National Park's own container list. Olympic permits only containers on its Approved Food Storage Container list (updated 2026-06-25), and this model is on it. On Olympic's own container list (updated 2026-06-25).
What does Olympic National Park require for food storage?
Approved Food Storage Container (ARFC) required in all park wilderness areas; only containers on Olympic's list are permitted. Accepted standard: Olympic's own list (updated 2026-06-25).
How current is this answer?
We checked Olympic National Park's official source on 2026-10-26. 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.