White Mountain National Forest Advises Hikers to Be Aware of Recent Bear Activity
Campton, NH July 31, 2024 Since mid-July, White Mountain National Forest staff have received near
daily reports about food-conditioned bears interacting with hikers and campers within, and around the
Pemigewasset wilderness. The federally designated Wilderness Area is located near Lincoln, NH.
Frequent encounters between bears and hikers have occurred along the Lincoln Woods, Bondcliff,
Franconia Brook, Lincoln Brook, and Black Pond Trails, and at the Liberty Springs and Thirteen Falls
Tent sites. Bears that have become habituated to humans are following campers and begging for food.
In some instances, bears have destroyed tents and backpacks as they look for easy meals. There have
also been interactions between bears and dogs.
The best way to stop this behavior is to ensure these bears do not receive additional food from people. Campers and hikers should maintain clean campsites and store all food, garbage and aromatic items like toothpaste and other toiletries securely out of reach of bears, and not inside tents or unsecured campsites.
If you are planning a multi-day backpacking trip, you are strongly encouraged to store all food in a bear
canister overnight. The Forest Service has several available to use, free of charge, at the Lincoln Woods
Visitor Center, in Lincoln, NH, and at the Campton, Gorham, and Conway, NH, ranger stations.
Established tent sites have bear boxes that when closed properly, are proven bear-proof storage
containers.
If you are approached by a food-conditioned bear, stand your ground. Do not run, turn your back, or
abandon your backpack. Stand up tall with your arms up high while making noise. If the bear remains
undeterred, slowly back away. If you are hiking with a dog, in or around the Pemigewasset Wilderness,
it would be wise to keep it leashed.
For those planning a hike in the area, but who may not be comfortable sharing the forest with bears that
have lost their natural fear of humans, please consider an alternate destination. As always White
Mountain National Forest officials want everyone to enjoy the national forest and return home safely.
