Black bears in Big Bear Valley
Yes, there are bears in Big Bear. Black bears live in the forest around the valley, and they sometimes walk into neighborhoods and campgrounds. Most trouble with bears starts with food. This page covers what to do if you see one, and how to keep bears out of your food and trash.
When to call 911
- A bear attacks, or makes contact with anyone: fight back, then call 911.
- A bear is inside your home: do not go near it. Get yourself to safety, and do not block any door or path it could use to get out. When you are safe, call 911.
- A bear is putting people in danger right now: call 911.
What to do if you see a bear
Seeing a bear is not an emergency on its own. Bears are often seen in and around mountain communities near the forest. On a trail, in a campground or in town, the advice is the same.
If the bear is far away
Change your route and give it a wide berth. Do not walk toward it, even for a photo.
If the bear is close, or coming toward you
- Do not run.
- Stay calm. Keep facing the bear and back away slowly.
- Do not stare it in the eye.
- Make yourself look big. Yell or clap to make noise.
- Give it plenty of room to leave on its own.
- Take extra care around cubs. A mother bear will defend them.
If a bear is in your yard
Back away slowly and give it room. Once you are a safe distance away, bang pots and pans or make other loud noise to encourage it to leave.
If a bear attacks
Fight back with anything you have: fists, sticks, rocks or bear spray. Then call 911.
If you carry bear spray, use an EPA-registered bear pepper spray, and learn how to use it before you need it.
Attacks that injure people are rare in California. When a bear does act defensively, it is usually because it was surprised or is protecting its cubs. A bear that has learned to get food from people can also turn aggressive.
Why fall is bear season
In fall, bears eat as much as they can before winter. The Forest Service says bear activity picks up in fall for this reason. It also picks up in spring, when bears leave their dens, and in dry years, when wild food is scarce.
In California, bears usually go into their dens between October and December.
A bear that finds food at a cabin, a campsite or a car will come back for more. That is why the steps below matter most right now.
Homes, cabins and vacation rentals
These steps are for everyone: residents, owners and guests staying in a rental.
- Keep trash inside, in a garage or a bear-resistant container, until collection day.
- Put trash out on the morning of pickup, not the night before.
- In the City of Big Bear Lake, trash cans may not sit at the curb for more than 24 hours, because they draw wildlife. If animals keep getting into your trash, the city's trash service offers a bear-proof cart for a one-time fee. See the city's trash and recycling page ↗.
- Keep doors and windows closed and locked. Food smells can draw a bear inside.
- Leave nothing with a scent outside. That means food and pet food, but also sunscreen, bug spray, soap and candles.
- Clean the barbecue grill after you use it.
- Take down bird feeders. They draw bears.
- Bring pets and pet food inside at night. If a pet does go missing, post it on our lost and found pets board.
- Pick fruit when it is ripe, and pick up fruit that falls.
- Leaving a cabin empty for a while? Take all the food out first.
- Block crawl spaces under decks and buildings, so a bear cannot make a den there.
Cars
Do not leave food, groceries, trash or anything with a scent in your car at a home or cabin. Take it inside.
Campsites and the backcountry
- Use the bear box at your campsite if there is one. If not, keep food in a hard-sided vehicle, in the trunk if you have one.
- Keep your tent and sleeping bag free of food and food smells.
- Change out of the clothes you cooked and ate in before you go to bed.
- Clean the grill, dishes and eating area after every meal.
- Clean fish away from camp.
- In the backcountry, carry a bear-resistant food canister, or hang your food at least 10 feet off the ground and at least 4 feet from any support above it or beside it.
Planning a trip? See our camping guide for campgrounds around the valley, and the trail directory for hikes.
Never feed a bear
Feeding bears is against the law in California. It also gets bears killed.
A bear that learns to get food from people keeps coming back for it. It can become a danger, and it may have to be killed to protect the public. Never leave food out for a bear, not even for a photo.
How to report a bear problem
- Someone is in danger right now: call 911.
- A bear has damaged property, or keeps getting into trash or cars: report it to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Use its online Wildlife Incident Reporting system ↗.
- On national forest land, such as a Forest Service campground or trail, you can also contact the San Bernardino National Forest ↗.
A bear that is only passing through is not, on its own, a cause for concern.
About Big Bear's bears
The only wild bear in these mountains is the American black bear. Despite the name, black bears can be black, brown, cinnamon or blond.
Grizzly bears once lived in California, but they are gone. None has been seen in the state since 1924.
Black bears are not native to Southern California. In the 1930s, about 30 black bears from Yosemite National Park were moved to the San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains. Their numbers grew from there.
Bears eat acorns, among many other foods. If you are out looking at the oaks this fall, see our fall colors guide, and keep your snacks packed away.
Bear safety questions
Are there bears in Big Bear?
Yes. Black bears live in the San Bernardino National Forest around Big Bear Valley, and they sometimes wander into neighborhoods and campgrounds. They are the only wild bears in these mountains. Grizzly bears have been gone from California for about a hundred years.
What should I do if I see a bear?
Do not run. Stay calm, keep facing the bear and back away slowly, without staring it in the eye. Make yourself look big, make noise, and give it room to leave. If a bear attacks, fight back, then call 911.
Are bears more active in the fall?
Yes. In fall, bears eat as much as they can before winter, so they are more likely to go after trash, pet food and food left in cars or at campsites. In California, bears usually go into their dens between October and December.
Is it illegal to feed bears in California?
Yes. State rules ban knowingly feeding big game animals, and bears are big game. Feeding also teaches a bear to look to people for food, and a bear like that may have to be killed to protect the public.
How do I report a problem bear in Big Bear?
If anyone is in danger, call 911. If a bear has damaged property or keeps getting into trash or cars, report it to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife through its online Wildlife Incident Reporting system.
Where this information comes from
The safety advice on this page comes from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Forest Service. The trash rules come from the City of Big Bear Lake. The history comes from the National Park Service. Rules can change, so check the official pages linked above.