Black Bears in Olympic National Park

Black bears (but not grizzlies) live throughout Olympic, roaming far and wide in search of ripe berries, spawning salmon, tree bark, and insects. Look for them in high-elevation fields, subalpine zones, forest, and along the coast.

Black bears can be black, brown, or even blond, and males can reach up to 600 pounds. Cubs are born in the den during winter hibernation and stay with their mothers for two seasons before striking out on their own.

Though bear attacks are extremely rare, bears can be dangerous: Never approach one, and scare it away by shouting and banging pots and pans if one wanders into your campsite.

See Black Bears in Olympic

Along alpine trails, especially Seven Lakes Basin and Enchanted Valley.