A bear box is a sturdy, animal-resistant metal storage locker at campsites where campers keep food, toiletries, and other scented items so bears and other wildlife can’t get to them.
“Make sure you keep food secure!” Walton tells Fodor’s. “If bear boxes are at your site, use them.” He also warns campers to keep cooking equipment secure. It doesn’t do much good to lock up your food if your bacon grease-coated pan is hanging out at the campsite, saying, “Hey critters, here I am!”
Gallina cautions against using your car as a food storage spot in campgrounds where bears are present. “Bears can smell food in cars,” she explains. “And they’ve been known to get into the cars to get food out of them.”
In areas without bears, unsecured food can still attract smaller wildlife like raccoons, rodents, and birds. Lopes-Baca recommends coolers with an exterior lock.
