Rent A Backpack Canmore

Never assume hikes that are heavily populated like Heart Creek are safe from bears. The entire mountains are their back yard. Always carry bear spray and know how to use it. 🐻

Bear Warning: Heart Creek Trail, Heart Creek Bunker Trail and the Trans Canada Trail between the Heart Creek bunker and the access to Grant MacEwan peak/Acephale climbing area because numerous black bears, including a black bear sow and cubs-of-the-year, have been seen in the area and in close proximity to the above trails. More info at: https://ow.ly/rttP50Z3RWl

Bears can pop up anywhere and anytime… always carry bear spray..

A bear cub was darted on 7th Avenue in downtown Canmore this afternoon 🐻

Wildlife officers and RCMP responded to reports of a bear moving through Mountain View Estates near Policeman Creek Trail just after 2 pm. A mother and cub were involved - the cub was tranquillised while the mother moved away from the area on her own terms.

No injuries reported. The kind of Saturday afternoon Canmore does that nowhere else quite manages.

It's that time of year again - bears are moving, and the Bow Valley's urban edge means these encounters happen more than most people realise. If you're out on the trails around town, the usual rules apply: make noise, carry spray, and don't leave anything that smells interesting in your car.

Has anyone else seen bear activity around Canmore this weekend?

A little bear levity…😂

What to do if you encounter a bear #laugh #comedy #jokes #wildlife #animals

This…🐻🫣

Bear Report - May 1, 2026 — Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley Did you know that WildSmart is a program of the Biosphere Institute, a local charity? Our work relies entirely on donations and sponsors. If you would like to support our community-based efforts to promote human-wildlife coexistence, please donate now! BEAR ACTIVITY UPDATE (May 1, 2026)

This…🐻

We are well into spring and bears are returning to the landscape. Remember these key tips when visiting bear country:

🎶 Make plenty of noise and travel in groups.
👀 Be aware of your surroundings. Look and listen for bears and their signs.
🐕‍🦺 Keep your pets on a leash.
🐻 Carry bear spray – make sure it's easily accessible and know how to use it.

Learn more at: AlbertaParks.ca/BearSafety

Please give bears and other wildlife their space. It’s not just dangerous for you, it stresses the wildlife more than you know. 🐻🫎🐺

Bear Closure Vermillion Lakes Banff National Park

The bears are back at Vermilion Lakes - and this time, Parks Canada isn't asking nicely.

Starting 24 April, Vermilion Lakes Road, the adjacent shoreline, and the section of the Legacy Trail west of the road are closed overnight, every night, from 8 pm to 8 am. The closure runs through 29 April.

The reason is straightforward: bears have been feeding on fish carcasses in the area, and that's exactly the kind of food-reward situation that Parks Canada works hard to prevent from becoming a habit.

During daylight hours, the area is open, but a bear warning is in effect. That means carry your bear spray and actually know how to use it, make noise on the trail, keep 100 metres from any bear you spot, keep dogs leashed, and supervise kids. If you see a bear, note the details - size, colour, ear tag if visible - and call Banff Dispatch at 403-762-1470.

Vermilion Lakes is one of the most-visited spots in the park, so this is worth knowing before you head out this week.

Have you had a bear encounter at Vermilion Lakes before?

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I’m seeing folks online saying that you don’t need bear spray, or that statistically speaking it’s a million to 1 on getting into a serious bear altercation. My question is.. what if you were that 1? Is saving $10 for a bear spray rental really worth it? 🤔🐻

Our customers have been wonderful all summer! 😊 Our Bear Sprays, Backpacks, Hiking Poles and Gear can be seen everywhere in the Kananaskis, Banff & Yoho mountains. ⛰

Words do not convey our sadness for what has happened and is still happening to the people, wildlife & forests of Jasper National Park right now… 😔…