Appalachian Trail Hikers Shun Bear Canisters Amid Rising Encounters

A recent survey indicates a significant reluctance among Appalachian Trail thru-hikers to use bear canisters for food storage, even as bear encounters on the trail have escalated. This trend persists despite recommendations from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and mandatory requirements in certain sections of the trail.

The Growing Divide: Bear Safety and Hiker Habits on the Appalachian Trail

In 2025, the Appalachian Trail experienced a notable surge in bear encounters, nearly doubling the previous year's figures. However, a comprehensive survey conducted by The Trek highlights a surprising disconnect: only a small fraction of thru-hikers are adopting bear canisters, a crucial tool for wildlife-resistant food storage.

The annual Appalachian Trail hiker survey, which gathered responses from 279 individuals, offered insights into hiker behaviors, particularly concerning food storage in bear territories. The findings reveal that a mere 13.6 percent of respondents utilized bear canisters, a stark contrast to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy's encouragement for their use along the entire pathway.

When faced with the absence of a designated bear box, approximately 43 percent of hikers resorted to bear hangs, a method involving suspending food from trees. Another 11 percent opted for Ursacks or similar tree-tied bags. Alarmingly, about a third of hikers admitted to sleeping with their food inside their tents, a practice known to be risky and linked to previous bear incidents. While this figure represents a slight improvement from 2024, when 43 percent of hikers reported similar behavior, it remains a significant concern for wildlife management and hiker safety.

The importance of proper food storage extends beyond mere recommendation; it's a regulated requirement in several sections of the Appalachian Trail. For instance, from March 1 to June 1, which encompasses a substantial portion of the northbound thru-hiking season, bear canisters are compulsory for campers in specific areas of Georgia's Blood Mountain Wilderness, between Jarrard Gap and Neel Gap. Additionally, backcountry campers within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are mandated to hang all smellable items, including trash, from provided food storage cables. Various national forests, such as Nantahala, Pisgah, Chattahoochee-Oconee, George Washington and Jefferson, Cherokee, and Green Mountain, also enforce the use of bear-resistant food storage methods for overnight campers in designated zones or along the AT.

These regulations underscore the increasing urgency of addressing bear-human interactions. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy documented 42 bear reports in 2025, a significant increase from 24 in 2024, indicating a growing challenge for both wildlife and hikers. Despite these escalating concerns, many hikers express reluctance to carry bear canisters, primarily citing their bulk and weight as deterrents.

Beyond bear safety, the survey also touched upon other hiker behaviors. Nearly 90 percent of thru-hikers demonstrated a strong commitment to Leave No Trace principles, consistently packing out their own trash and even some left by others. Only about 6 percent reported leaving trash behind. When it came to trail preferences, Baxter State Park emerged as the most favored section, closely followed by southernmost Virginia. Northern Pennsylvania, however, continued to be the least popular segment of the trail by a considerable margin.

The prevailing reluctance among Appalachian Trail hikers to embrace bear canisters, despite the escalating number of bear encounters and existing regulations, presents a critical challenge for trail management and conservation efforts. It underscores the need for enhanced education on bear safety and a reevaluation of strategies to encourage compliance with wildlife-resistant food storage methods. As the popularity of thru-hiking grows, fostering a stronger culture of responsible and safe practices becomes paramount to ensure the well-being of both hikers and the iconic wildlife of the Appalachian Trail.