Guide · Updated October 24, 2026

bear safety on vancouver trails

Black bears live on most local trails. How to hike around them.

Black bears are common on the North Shore, in the Fraser Valley and along Sea-to-Sky. Grizzly bears are present in parts of the Sea-to-Sky backcountry.

basics

  • Make noise, especially near streams and berry patches.
  • Hike in groups and keep dogs leashed.
  • Pack out all food and garbage.
  • Carry bear spray and know how to use it.
  • If you see a bear, stay calm, give it space and back away. Do not run.
  • Report bear encounters as directed by the land manager or the BC Conservation Officer Service.

Sources: BC Parks wildlife safety, Government of BC bear safety.

Cite this page

Hike Vancouver. "Bear safety on Vancouver trails." Updated October 24, 2026. https://hikevancouver.ca/guides/bear-safety/

Cam Appleton, Vancouver real estate agent, climbing the side of a downtown tower at sunset with the North Shore mountains behind
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good to know cam

Hi, I'm Cam Appleton. I love Vancouver and I love getting out on its trails. When I went looking for a simple, easy hiking guide for around here, I couldn't find one I liked. I also really like helping people, so I built this one.

My day job is real estate. I help people buy, sell and lease. I hope you're enjoying the start of Hike Vancouver. I wrote these guides the way I'd explain things to a friend at the trailhead.

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Commercial & Residential Real Estate · Coldwell Banker Prestige Realty