Two backcountry campgrounds in Banff National Park have been shut down after a grizzly bear wandered into multiple sites and began investigating tents, food storage, and camping gear. Parks Canada says the closures are a precautionary move meant to protect both visitors and the bear, after recent encounters showed the animal becoming increasingly curious about human activity in the area.
The Hidden Lake Campground was the first to close, with the order taking effect on October 1. Four days later, on October 5, officials extended the closure to Baker Lake Campground following another incident involving a grizzly entering a campsite. It’s not clear whether the same bear was responsible for both encounters.
Parks Canada notes that grizzlies are highly intelligent and can quickly learn to associate campgrounds with food if they repeatedly find unsecured items. Even brief investigations of tents or gear can escalate into dangerous encounters, especially in remote backcountry areas where response times are longer and hikers may be more vulnerable.
Officials are reminding visitors that these closures are legally enforceable. Anyone who enters the restricted areas could be charged under the Canada National Parks Act and face fines of up to $25,000. Parks Canada is asking hikers and backcountry travellers to respect posted signs, avoid the affected zones, and report any bear sightings to park staff.
The closures come amid a year of heightened bear activity across the region, with several recent incidents involving both black bears and grizzlies approaching people or moving through popular trails. Wildlife officials say fall is a particularly sensitive time, as bears are actively feeding ahead of winter and may be more motivated to investigate human scents or food sources.
For now, both Hidden Lake and Baker Lake campgrounds will remain closed until Parks Canada determines the risk has decreased and the bear’s behaviour has stabilized.
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