American Black Bears (Ursus americanus) are present throughout Redwood National Park’s towering coast redwood forests. Visitors should be aware of their presence, as they are found in diverse habitats across the park. While the American Black Bear is the only bear species currently found in California, the Grizzly Bear (Ursus arctos) was extirpated from the state nearly a century ago and is not found in the Redwoods today.
The Bears of Redwood National Park
The American Black Bear is the exclusive species inhabiting Redwood National and State Parks. Despite their name, their coat color is not always black and can range from brown or cinnamon to blonde.
Adult males typically weigh less than 300 pounds, and females generally weigh under 175 pounds, making them roughly the size of a human. Black Bears possess a straight facial profile and lack the pronounced shoulder hump characteristic of a Grizzly Bear. The bear population in northwestern California is considered the densest in the entire state.
Understanding Bear Behavior and Habitat
Black Bears are omnivores, with a diet consisting of both plant and animal matter. The majority of their foraging focuses on plant material, such as grasses, berries, and acorns, but they also consume insects and carrion. Their powerful claws are used to tear apart rotting logs to find insect larvae.
These bears are found in virtually all habitat types within the park, including conifer forests, oak woodlands, prairies, and near the beaches. They are most active during the early morning and evening hours while searching for food. Due to the mild coastal climate, Black Bears in the Redwoods do not enter a deep, continuous hibernation, though their activity levels drop dramatically during the winter months.
Essential Safety Measures for Visitors
Preventing a bear encounter centers on responsible food and scent management, since a bear’s primary motivation for entering human areas is food. Black Bears have an incredible sense of smell and can easily associate human food with a reward, which can lead to equipment damage or habituation.
Food and Scent Storage
All food, garbage, and anything with a strong scent—including toiletries, pet food, and even air fresheners—must be stored properly. In developed campgrounds, visitors must utilize the bear-proof lockers or metal storage boxes provided at each campsite. When backpacking, a bear-resistant food canister is required to store all attractants, and it should be placed at least 100 feet away from your sleeping area. Never leave food unattended in a vehicle, as bears are strong enough to tear open car doors or windows if they smell food inside.
Hiking Precautions
When hiking, visitors should proactively make noise by talking, singing, or clapping, especially when moving through dense brush or near streams where visibility is low. This precaution alerts bears to your presence, allowing them to move away before an encounter can occur. It is safer to hike in groups, and children should be kept close and never allowed to run ahead on the trail.
What to Do During a Bear Encounter
If you encounter a Black Bear, the most important rule is not to run, as this can trigger a chase response from the animal. Instead, face the bear, stay calm, and make yourself appear as large as possible by standing your ground and waving your arms. Use a firm, calm voice to speak to the bear, which helps it identify you as a human.
Begin to back away slowly, preferably at an oblique angle, while continuing to face the animal. Do not turn your back to the bear or drop your backpack, which can provide a layer of protection.
If the bear approaches aggressively or comes within 30 feet, be loud, shout, and use bear spray if you are carrying it. If a Black Bear makes physical contact and attacks, you must fight back aggressively.