Bears in the Bow Valley: Staying Safe
How to stay safe around Banff's bears, elk and cougars — carrying bear spray, keeping your distance, what to do in an encounter, and who to call. A safety guide, not a live alert.
The Bow Valley is home to grizzly and black bears, and Banff's streets and trails run right through their range. This page is the plan the valley lives by: how to carry and use bear spray, how to keep your distance, what to do if you meet a bear — and exactly who to call. It's a safety guide, not a live alert: if you see a bear, cougar or any aggressive wildlife, call Banff Dispatch right away on 403-762-1470.
Right now
Bears are active now
Grizzly and black bears are generally active from April through November and spend the deep winter denning, though a warm spell can bring one out early or keep one out late. Two other windows to watch in town: elk are dangerous around calving from mid-May to late June, and again during the fall rut in September and October.