Beware the Bears – Camping in Bear Country

Welcome to Ouray KOA Holiday! We’re excited to welcome you into the Swiss Alps of America, where we get all sorts of wildlife visitors. There are many animals native to Ouray, Colorado, such as deer, bighorn sheep, elk, moose, coyotes, a variety of birds, and bears. It’s always thrilling to see to wildlife in their natural habitat, and it’s even better if they’re not at your campsite. Ouray KOA Holiday is surrounded by the beautiful San Juan Mountains landscape, including their furry occupants, black bears. Below are a few tips to keep the bears out of your campsite that are suggested by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife. 

When bears learn that people have food, they routinely visit campsites, picnic areas, and resorts following their noses to the source of an easy meal. If you want to avoid problems for yourself and the bears, make sure there is nothing in your camp that might attract them. 

• Stash Your Trash – Use bear-proof containers when available. If they’re full, double bag trash and lock it in your trunk or RV. Never leave trash outside. 
• Store Attractants Safely – Store food, beverages, and toiletries in air-tight containers and lock in your trunk. Many bears have discovered that coolers, bags, and boxes are full of food. Never leave them in your tent, or anywhere a bear could see, smell, or reach. 
• Keep a Clean Camp – Bears are attracted to odors of all kinds and will investigate anything interesting in the hopes of finding food. 
• Keep a Clean Tent – Don’t bring anything with an odor into your tent, and don’t sleep in the clothes you cooked in, make sure to store them in a bear-proof location. 
• Lock RVs and Vehicles – Close all windows and lock your vehicle and RV when you leave your campsite and at night before you go to sleep. 

If a bear comes into the camp, try to chase it away. Yell, and toss small stones in the direction of (not directly at) the bear. Make a lot of noise, bang pots, and pans, and blow your car horn, air horn, or whistle to startle the bear. Make sure the bear has an escape route. 

Another precaution item is Bear Spray. It is a super-concentrated, highly irritating pepper spray proven to be more effective than firearms at deterring bears. Remember, Bear Spray is not a substitute for taking all the proper precautions to prevent problems in bear country.