National Park Service · WY
Yellowstone National Park: bear canister rules
Yellowstone National Park does not require a bear canister.
Short answer
Canister not required: food-pole hang or IGBC hard-sided container; soft-sided containers not allowed.
This area accepts IGBC-certified hard-sided containers. Soft-sided bags do not qualify here, even when they carry IGBC certification. Of the 30 canisters we cover, 0 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 Yellowstone National Park?
Allowed, not required
BearVault BV500 Journey in Yellowstone National Park: accepted, but optional.
IGBC-certified.
Area rule Canister not required: food-pole hang or IGBC hard-sided container; soft-sided containers not allowed.
Read the full answerChecked 2026-10-26. Always verify with the land manager before you go.
The rule, as written
- Requirement
- Canister not required: food-pole hang or IGBC hard-sided container; soft-sided containers not allowed.
- Accepted
- IGBC hard-sided container (soft-sided not allowed)
- Dates
- Per page
- Source updated
- 2025-04-24
- Checked
- 2026-10-26 · verified
Detailed answers for Yellowstone National Park
Every canister we cover, in Yellowstone National Park
- 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
- Grub Can Carbon/Kevlar 4.5 L
- Grub Can Spirit Wave 7.2 L
- Grub Can GL500
- Counter Assault Bear Keg
- Garcia Backpackers' Cache 812
- Bare Boxer Contender 101
- Bare Boxer Champ 202
- Lighter1 Big Daddy
- Lighter1 Lil' Sami
- UDAP No-Fed-Bear
- REI Co-op Traverse Bear Can 25200
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 Yellowstone National Park?
Yellowstone National Park does not require a bear canister. Canister not required: food-pole hang or IGBC hard-sided container; soft-sided containers not allowed.
Which canisters are accepted in Yellowstone National Park?
IGBC hard-sided container (soft-sided not allowed)
How current is this information?
We checked Yellowstone National Park's official source on 2026-10-26. Confirm with the land manager before you go.
Nearby and related rules
- Grand Teton National Park IGBC-approved bear canister required in the backcountry (free loan available). Canister required
- Bridger-Teton NF Food storage order: IGBC list or courtesy inspection container, hang, or vehicle. Canister not required
- Custer Gallatin NF IGBC list or courtesy inspection container, or a hang. Canister not required
- Shoshone NF IGBC-approved container or other approved storage. Canister not required
- Caribou-Targhee NF IGBC list or hang. Canister not required
Sources and date checked
Checked . We link the official pages so you can read the rule yourself.